Fifth Grade
I highly recommend Art of Problem Solving Books for Fifth Graders. First off, I recommend the Beast Academy series, a set of advanced math books for grades 2-5. If a child is not challenged by these books or wants to learn even more, I suggest additionally looking at the Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) website, specifically at the Prealgebra book. Other books will likely be intimidating for elementary schoolers with no algebra background. Seventh Grade
Seventh Grade is a big year for strong students! I have plenty of book recommendations for this year. First off, I recommend the Art of Problem Solving Introductory Series. This includes the Introduction to Algebra, Introduction to Geometry, Introduction to Number Theory, and Introduction to Counting and Probability books. Additionally, I recommend contest preparation books. These include, but are not limited to, Art of Problem Solving, Volume 1: The Basics, Art of Problem Solving, Volume 2: and Beyond, First Steps for Math Olympians, the Contest Problem Books II-IX, and UKMT Ten Years of Mathematical Challenges: 1997 to 2006. Again, these are very challenging books, and essentially serve as an introduction and mental preparation for the difficult concepts students will likely need to master by 9th Grade. Ninth Grade
Ninth Grade is the last year I would suggest a student to continue using AoPS Introductory level books. These include Introduction to Number Theory and Introduction to Counting and Probability. With mastery of these books, students should look at Intermediate Algebra and Intermediate Counting and Probability. Ninth Graders should also prepare well for the AMC, so I recommend AMC books. These include, but are not limited to, Art of Problem Solving, Volume 1: The Basics, Art of Problem Solving, Volume 2: and Beyond, First Steps for Math Olympians, the Contest Problem Books II-IX, and UKMT Ten Years of Mathematical Challenges: 1997 to 2006. Additionally, I recommend participation in the ARML, so it would be wise to invest in ARML preparation books. These can only be purchased through the ARML website (for a reasonable price, at least), so I recommend looking at these carefully! They are tremendously special, valuable, and useful books. They include ARML and NYSML contests from 1983-1988, ARML and NYSML contests from 1989-1994, ARML contests from 1995-2003 (which also contains the ARML power contests from 1994-2004), and ARML contests from 2004-2008 (which also contains the ARML power contests from 2004 - 2008 and ARML Local 2008). Fro more information about the purchasing of these books, visit the ARML website's page for ARML books. Additioanlly, I recommend advanced math books, such as the AoPS Precalculus and Calculus books, as well as Physics: Principles with Application (the Pearson Physics AP Edition Textbook). Also, for further reading, I recommend students look into purchasing Chaos: Making a New Science. It is a very interesting and eye-opening book. I believe most talented young math minds would enjoy it! Eleventh Grade
By Eleventh Grade, students should be very aware of their academics, and very prepared for college. IF a student has been on the competitive route, I recommend continuing, and reading above for contest books. If not, I recommend simply focusing on school and getting excellent grade. Additionally, juniors must score well on their SAT-I, and any subject tests they might take. For this, I simply recommend the College Board's Official SAT Study Guide, as well as their Official SAT Online course. For subject tests, I recommend The Official Guide for All SAT Subject Tests. |
Sixth Grade
My recommendations for Sixth Grade all come from the AoPS website. First off, I suggest the Prealgebra book. It will be difficult to master concepts from other subjects without this background. I then recommend the Introductory series, including the Introduction to Algebra, Introduction to Number Theory, and Introduction to Counting and Probability. It is important to note that these books will be quite a challenge for Sixth Graders. If they cannot grasp the concepts presented in these books, it is very okay. They are often hard for high school students to understand, much less 11 to 12-year-olds! Eighth Grade
Most of the books I recommend should be purchased in the Eighth Grade. This year, students should be exposed to a lot of difficult concepts, because the following year will be an important year to excel in competitions. I first have to recommend the usual AoPS books. These include Introduction to Geometry, Introduction to Number Theory, and Introduction to Counting and Probability books. Once a student has completely mastered these concepts, I recommend looking at Intermediate Algebra and Intermediate Counting and Probability. Also, I recommend AMC preparation books. Like I mentioned in the Seventh Grade section, these include, but are not limited to, Art of Problem Solving, Volume 1: The Basics, Art of Problem Solving, Volume 2: and Beyond, First Steps for Math Olympians, the Contest Problem Books II-IX, and UKMT Ten Years of Mathematical Challenges: 1997 to 2006. Additionally, I recommend ARML preparation books. These can only be purchased through the ARML website (for a reasonable price, at least), so I recommend looking at these carefully! They are tremendously special, valuable, and useful books. They include ARML and NYSML contests from 1983-1988, ARML and NYSML contests from 1989-1994, ARML contests from 1995-2003 (which also contains the ARML power contests from 1994-2004), and ARML contests from 2004-2008 (which also contains the ARML power contests from 2004 - 2008 and ARML Local 2008). Fro more information about the purchasing of these books, visit the ARML website's page for ARML books. I did also recommend, for students who are multiple years ahead in math, to look into Calculus and Physics. If your student meets these needs, look at the AoPS Precalculus and Calculus books, as well as Physics: Principles with Application (the Pearson Physics AP Edition Textbook). Tenth Grade
For students who have participated in the ARML and AMC, I recommend reading the Ninth Grade section of this page. I would continue with all the books mentioned, save the Introductory AoPS series. For students who have not participated in these contests, I recommend simply reading below. Students should be exposed to Calculus and Physics by this year. For those subjects I recommend the AoPS Calculus book and Physics: Principles with Application (the Pearson Physics AP Edition Textbook). Additionally, I recommend a student take the SAT-I this year, so I recommend the College Board's Official SAT Study Guide, as well as their Official SAT Online course. Also, for those looking for an interesting read, I recommend Chaos: Making a New Science. It is a very interesting and eye-opening book. I believe most talented young math minds would enjoy it! Twelfth Grade
It's senior year. What is on your mind? College. I understand that that may be your main concern. So, to begin, I've found a few excellent college admissions books. The first? Admission Matters. Another? Colleges That Change Lives. Additionally, you are likely going to take the SAT again, so I recommend SAT prep books and Subject Test prep books. For this, I simply recommend the College Board's Official SAT Study Guide, as well as their Official SAT Online course. For subject tests, I recommend The Official Guide for All SAT Subject Tests. But apart from college admissions books, there is one book in particular that is highly recommended among all respectable adults: The Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell. Lastly, an inspirational book and great books for females. Written by Sheryl Sandburg, Facebook's COO, it is called Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead. I know you may be busy, but it's worth taking the time. Just read a bit. |