I'm not an extremely mathy person. I can solve basic math problems, and with some thought I can even solve some complex math problems. My public high school math education was lacking, and as my oldest son prepares for algebra next year, he is quickly surpassing my easily accessed math knowledge. Because of these factors, the Algebra Survival Guide: A Conversational Handbook for the Thoroughly Befuddled caught my attention.

The Algebra Survival Guide is a 276-page step-by-step algebra 1 book. Each black-and-white page covers one algebraic concept in a question-and-answer format. The question is at the top of the page, and the answer is at the bottom, along with examples and a few practice problems. Because each page covers only one concept, and because there are usually as many words explaining the concept as numbers, this book is wonderful for those of us intimidated by math. The pages are visually appealing, with cartoons and separate text boxes for important information. The Algebra Survival Guide Workbook includes thousands of practice problems (with answers), and because it is cross-referenced to the Algebra Survival Guide, it is easy to locate additional practice problems.

The Algebra Survival Guide can be used as an algebra reference book, a resource for explaining difficult concepts, or a refresher course before taking Algebra 2. The book is only $19.95, and the workbook is only $9.95, so this is an extremely affordable course. If you or your students are thoroughly befuddled by algebra, I would highly recommend the Algebra Survival Guide.

Product review by Courtney Larson, The Old Schoolhouse^® Magazine, LLC, August 2010