Sir Cumference returns in this tale that introduces readers to the concepts of perimeter and area. As in previous books, Neuschwander's characters have names that play with mathematical terminology. In this adventure Per visits her uncle and aunt (Sir Cumference and Lady Di of Ameter). After learning a game involving "inners and edges," she and her cousin Radius become embroiled in a mystery with a secret message and a threatening sea serpent. To solve it, the youngsters must travel to the Isle of Immeter and use a series of geometric formulas to tame the sea serpent and bring peace to the "area." Readers already familiar with these formulas will have the most ease understanding and solving the mystery. Teachers introducing the concepts of perimeter and area might find the book useful. Libraries that own the four earlier books in the series will want to consider adding this latest adventure to their collections.

I love to introduce math and science concepts with a story--a real book. Cindy Neuschwander has written a series of books introducing math concepts through the adventures of her main character, Sir Cumference. As you can see, the characters have names based on mathematical terms. In this book, young lady Per visits her aunt and uncle, Sir Cumference and Lady Di of Ameter and her cousin Radius. They set out to solve a mystery involving a secret message and a sea serpent. No, I won't give away the plot here, but rest assured your child will be delighted with the story and the gentle, fun introduction to perimeter and area.

The paintings in this book are colorful and inviting. It is a beautifully put together book that your third-sixth grader will find delightful.

This is part of a series of such books, including titles of Pi, circumference, radius and diameter, measuring angels, and three-dimensional measurement. They are a great way to introduce, flesh out, or reinforce these concepts for our students.

Have you met Sir Cumference? He’s such a wonderful person, along with his wife, Lady Di, and son, Radius. His friends can’t be beat either - King Arthur, Geo of Metry, Sym, Sir D’Grees, King Lell, Per, Countess Areana, Vertex, Sir Tangent, Sir Lionel Segment and others.

Living in Camelot under King Arthur, Sir Cumference and his buddies must work through many complications that require mathematical and logical thinking. During visits to such places as the Mountains of Obtuse, Angleland and the Isle of Immeter, people must be rescued, clues must be found and problems must be solved!

The stories are full of action and suspense that have kept my children enthralled time and time again. The author, Cindy Neuschwander, is an absolute genius in the creativity of these books! It’s beyond me how the books not only have a great plot, but teach math concepts within the storyline – and don’t lose any qualities of living literature in the process!

Depending on the book(s) you read, the following concepts are covered:

* Circumference
* Diameter
* Radius
* Pi
* Angles
* Lines
* Measurement
* Perimeter
* Area
* 3-D shapes
* Counting by 10’s, 100’s, 1,000’s

Any child 1st grade and above will enjoy listening to the stories, but older children (4th grade and higher) will most likely grasp the math concepts best. I used to check the books out from the library until I almost wore my card out rechecking them! Now, I’m the proud owner of each and every one. (A CM homeschool can never have enough living literature on the bookshelves, can it?)