Fly a Jet Fighter

Gr 6 Up—This graphic series attempts, with mixed results, to show real world applications for math by putting readers in situations where they need to solve problems to fulfill a task. For instance, in Jet Fighter, before participating in reconnaissance tasks and air-to-air combat, students must first learn about jet fighters and their history, select squadron pilots, complete fighter pilot training, and figure out how to operate a jet fighter. Each spread presents three to six word problems, which cover concepts such as addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, and algebra, as well as skills such as telling time, reading coordinates on a map, and measuring angles. The series misses the mark, however. The material feels forced into the story line. An algebra problem is jarringly out of place mixed in with addition and subtraction problems, especially when it follows more basic information such as telling time and counting and identifying shapes. With an answer key that only provides numbers rather than hinting at how to complete calculations, this series assumes that readers have a solid understanding of the subject. A very brief glossary and index are provided, and the table of contents is not completely representative of the math included on each page.