←Recommendations of "MATH PROBLEMS"

This is a very cute play with a couple great messages that are clear enough for the elementary school set but don't overpower the work. I love that the child with the math skills is a girl, reinforcing that girls can excel in STEM. And the concept that friends want their friends to be their best is a great life lesson for any age. I imagine that kids would have fun performing and watching this!

I am loving Martin’s plays for elementary school students. Yes, they serve a purpose but he unfolds these students’ problems in the most heartening, sweet way. As Inez is teased about her math abilities, she gains an appreciation that her friends have special abilities and all should be celebrated. You have to love a teacher who really knows knows kids and “sees all.” A hidden bonus: students will probably get prime numbers. And there’s a killer “plant” line at the end.

Kindness permeates throughout Martin's work. Here is a play that tells students it's OK to be as smart as they are, celebrates them for that kindness and recognizes that smarts aren't the only thing in the world. Martin captures how stunningly easy and even chillingly tempting it can be to hide our true visage from the world, as when Anna Macadamia ever so "nicely" suggests that Inez give the WRONG answer once in a while. It's a slippery slope. Fortunately, Inez has Miss Ella Louella as a teacher. Teachers always know. Special shoutout to Joshua Sausage's math problem answer.

Another installment in Martin's elementary school plays starring Inez Cupcake with Kiki Pineapple was a pleasant surprise this morning! The theme - about 'friends wanting their friends to be their best' - was unexpected for a kid's play - and it's so necessary to remember, practice and preach at school and beyond. A great message for adults too! I look forward to reading another installment - this and the first play in the series are two of my favorite TYA plays of all time, for real! Highly recommended for girls that luv math problems and drama teachers.

Being different can be hard. And being a smart girl good at math brings special challenges, though refreshingly, not because she's a girl. "Math Problems" is the next wonderful installment in Martin's series for children. A cute, warm, hopeful play designed to bring out the best in us. In times like these, this play (and Martin's other two from this series) are perfect choices for school production. Highly recommended.