The Best Math Books for Girls

Math is an important skill for kids to learn, but many books and toys gear math skills toward boys and their interests. However, there are math books for girls of all ages. Some are geared toward young girls, while others help with high school topics.

We reviewed dozens of math books for girls to find the best, most engaging titles. We looked at the author’s credentials as well as the reviews from customers who bought the book. We’re confident that we’ve curated a list of some of the most interesting choices.

Top pick
Math Doesn't Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail
Start your kids off on the right path with Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail

Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail is one of the best options out there for helping your kids learn about math. It breaks the old stereotype that math can’t be fun, entertaining, or enjoyable by making it all of those things. It makes math easier to understand and to learn so that kids are more engaged and enthusiastic about learning new math concepts.

The 5 Top-Rated Math Books for Girls

Editor's PicksBrandRating
Best Overall PickMath Doesn't Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail4.6
Runner Up PickKiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who's Boss4.7
Best Budget PickOne Duck Stuck: A Mucky Ducky Counting Book4.7
Best Elementary Math Book for Girls PickMath Made Easy: Fourth Grade Workbook4.3
Best Middle School Math Book for Girls PickGirls Get Curves: Geometry Takes Shape4.8

*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change

Our Top Pick: Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail

Math is notoriously difficult to get kids interested in. However, that is because many people go at it with the idea that math just isn’t enjoyable. Award-winning author Danica McKellar changes that with Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail. It provides everything that you need to change attitudes about math and make it an enjoyable subject.

Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail provides stepwise instruction on different math concepts as well as ways of practicing them. By giving kids simple to use and easy to understand methods of tackling math concepts, even advanced concepts become more palatable. Included are a range of explanations, practice materials, and support materials that show you and your kids a new way of looking at math.

Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail Key Features: 

  • Written by award-winning author Danica McKellar
  • Includes math horoscopes, personality quizzes, and testimonials
  • Uses a teen magazine format
  • A detailed explanation of math and common concepts

Our Runner Up Pick: Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who’s Boss

Runner Up pick
Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who's Boss
Get a good headstart on algebra with Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who’s Boss

One of the toughest subject areas that kids face is Pre-Algebra. Fortunately, Danica McKellar created a book that makes it much easier to tackle. Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who’s Boss focuses on helping kids understand Pre-Algebra concepts so that they are less intimidated and more enthusiastic about learning.

Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who’s Boss approaches math from a different perspective, using a sense of style and flare to help kids overcome their dislike of math.  It demonstrates why Pre-Algebra is nothing to be scared of and provides a look at the struggles other learners faced. In many ways, it gives kids a sense of perspective on Pre-Algebra, why it isn’t scary, and how useful it can be.

Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who’s Boss Key Features: 

  • A stylized approach that appeals to girls
  • Focus on Pre-Algebra
  • Includes personality quizzes, polls, and testimonials
  • Makes Pre-Algebra less intimidating

Best Budget Pick: One Duck Stuck: A Mucky Ducky Counting Book

Budget pick
One Duck Stuck: A Mucky Ducky Counting Book
Entertain while teaching with One Duck Stuck: A Mucky Ducky Counting Book

One Duck Stuck: A Mucky Ducky Counting Book is a book that focuses on entertaining kids as much as it teaches. Keeping kids interested in math can be difficult, which is why One Duck Stuck: A Mucky Ducky Counting Book combines storytelling with math practice. It is an engaging book that can appeal to a wide age range of learners.

What makes One Duck Stuck: A Mucky Ducky Counting Book so appealing is a combination of illustrations and readability. Its illustrations are bright and attention-getting. It is also printed in a large page format making it easy to see when presenting to a group. The writing includes sound effects and a storyline that keeps kids engaged, making it a great option for reading aloud for classes or small groups. Priced at $7-$16 based on which version you get, it is an easy addition to your collection.

One Duck Stuck: A Mucky Ducky Counting Book Key Features: 

  • An affordably priced range of purchase options
  • Attention-getting illustrations
  • Good for reading aloud
  • Appeals to a wide age group

Best Elementary Math Book for Girls Pick: Math Made Easy: Fourth Grade Workbook

Elementary pick
Math Made Easy: Fourth Grade Workbook
Get in all the practice that you need with Math Made Easy: Fourth Grade Workbook

The early years of math education are the most important since they lay the groundwork for more advanced topics. Fourth graders, in particular, could use extra help with new concepts. Math Made Easy: Fourth Grade Workbook is the ideal practice method for fourth graders as it covers all of the needed topics in depth with extra practice opportunities.

It is a complete study program that introduces concepts, walks kids through it with detailed explanations, and a large number of practice problems. That way, kids can lead themselves through the practice system and learn at their own pace. It is useful for homeschooling as well as supplementing schoolwork.

Math Made Easy: Fourth Grade Workbook Key Features: 

  • Designed for 4th-graders
  • Comprehensive study system
  • Contains a large number of practice problems
  • Good for supplementing schoolwork.

Best Middle School Math Book for Girls Pick: Girls Get Curves: Geometry Takes Shape

Middle School pick
Girls Get Curves: Geometry Takes Shape
Explore geometry concepts in Girls Get Curves: Geometry Takes Shape

Danica McKellar applies her successful math teaching strategies to more advanced concepts in Girls Get Curves: Geometry Takes Shape. It changes the conception of math for middle-school-aged girls by presenting new concepts and demystifying them for everyone. By applying the same techniques that worked on other topics, Danica can make Geometry easier for girls to get into.

This book borrows from the popular teen magazine format including articles, horoscopes, and polls to present information in a more palatable way. It presents new math concepts with easy-to-understand explanations so that anyone can develop a foundation for advanced concepts easily. It also takes a look at the common preconceptions about girls in math and dispells them, making math an open subject for everyone.

Girls Get Curves: Geometry Takes Shape Key Features: 

  • Written by Danica McKellar
  • Designed specifically for girls
  • Borrows a common teen magazine format
  • Easily-palatable math concepts

Who Should Buy Math Book for Girls

Getting math books specifically designed for girls can be beneficial to anyone that has a daughter or school-aged girl in their family. In general, girls are steered away from STEM topics through social pressures and other factors resulting in fewer girls being involved in math. This ultimately leads to fewer women in STEM careers, which hurts the field overall and limits their job prospects.

These products try to keep girls involved in STEM fields by making math easier to get into. Some products use different formats while others make the concepts easier to understand. Regardless of the method, they can be effective in making math a more enjoyable option for girls.

Top pick
Math Doesn't Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail
Start your kids off on the right path with Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail

Important Features to Consider

Math books designed for girls can be an effective way to improve engagement and retention in STEM subjects.

The best math books for girls should have several important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting a pet fence:

  • Grade level. Educational books are divided by grade levels. The grade level is clearly listed for each book, and you should identify it before buying one. If you get the wrong grade level, that book will not cover the topics that your child is working on and can lead to confusion and frustration.
  • Style. Each book has its own style for presenting information. Some books are more palatable than others and are designed to be radically different from traditional textbooks.
  • Difficulty level. Each book is designed with a single or range of difficulty levels in mind. Identify if the book that you want is made for the right difficulty level of your student and if that level can be adjusted as her skills improve.
  • Delivery method. Books are available in different formats. Kindle and eReader books are often more affordable while printed paperbacks and hardcovers are more expensive.
  • Workbook format. Workbooks are often used to practice concepts rather than to introduce them. They are also often single-use items since you write in them.
  • Reusability. Some books are reusable while others are not. Reusable books offer more practical value as they can be reused multiple times to reinforce specific topics.
  • Real-world examples. The most effective learning comes from examples that can be used in the real world. As a result, many of the most effective books offer real-world examples as a means of reinforcing topics.
  • Tips and shortcuts. Tip and shortcut books provide different ways of addressing math concepts, but may not teach the accepted standard way of approaching them first. They can be helpful for advanced learners if the topic has already been covered.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the right level math book for my child?

Choosing the right level of math book for your child requires knowing the difficulty level and the grade level of the book. Every math book is designed with a grade level and a difficulty level in mind. The grade level should match your child’s level to ensure that it covers the same topics as classes.

Difficulty levels are trickier to deal with as a book can have multiple levels. The format of the book should clearly define what the difficulty level of the book is whether it is a beginner or advanced book. If the book has multiple levels in it, they should be clearly delineated. Ask your child’s teacher about his or her performance to determine what difficulty level he or she should focus on. As your child’s skills progress, you can move him or her up to a higher difficulty level.

Do math books help girls prepare for standardized testing?

Math is a core subject and is included in nearly all standardized test packages. Any method of improving her skills will help with standardized testing as the key to doing well is knowing the subject matter well. Any math book can help your girl do better on a test.

However, some standardized testing requires a specific work process to earn points, particularly in math. To ensure that your girl is learning the right work processes, check with her teacher or other experts on your local school system’s standardized testing requirements. They should be able to provide examples of what is looked for on the test.

What’s the effect of gender on performance in mathematics? OR What are the gender differences in math performance?

There are statistics that show a difference in performance outcomes, but there is no evidence that either gender is inherently better at math. The differences in performance based on gender are influenced by social pressures and other factors. In many research studies, girls underperform in math.

However, this is caused by a number of reasons including social pressures placed on girls at early ages to move away from STEM subjects in general. The result is a drastic decrease in the number of girls and women that stay involved and interested in STEM fields. Many products are designed to help girls stay in STEM fields, which should help reduce the differences in performance outcomes over time.

How do I encourage a girl’s interest in math?

The most effective way to encourage an interest in any subject is to make the learning process easier. People gravitate toward skills that they develop quickly and with greater ease. Therefore, using these products to make learning math concepts easier is the key to keeping girls interested and involved in math.

One of the ways of making math easier and more interesting is by changing the format of math books. Storytelling and connections to popular media formats are being used to make math learning more palatable for girls. The result is a lower barrier to entry for studying math concepts.

Other Math Books for Girls We Reviewed

Top pick
Math Doesn't Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail
Start your kids off on the right path with Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail

We looked at 20 other math books for girls. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best math books for girls list, they’re the best of the rest, and each is still a great option for your family. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.

Bedtime Math Books for Toddlers

Bedtime Math: A Fun Excuse to Stay Up Late (Bedtime Math Series Book 1)

Bedtime Math: A Fun Excuse to Stay Up Late (Bedtime Math Series Book 1)

Integrating learning content into your kids’ day can be a challenge, which is why a bedtime math book is one of your better options. Bedtime Math: A Fun Excuse to Stay Up Late is a great starting point. It focuses on providing math learning options that work best just before bed. That way, you can still introduce concepts and challenge your kid while preparing for bed. It also makes introducing math concepts a daily part of your lives. This book has more than 100 math riddles provided in a format that is highly valued throughout multiple rereads. It is also the first book in a series, making it possible to continue the learning process for a long time.

Key Features:

  • Focus on math
  • Affordable pricing
  • High reread value
  • 100 math riddles

Cost: $10

Bedtime Math: The Truth Comes Out (Bedtime Math Series)

Bedtime Math: The Truth Comes Out (Bedtime Math Series)

Bedtime Math: The Truth Comes Out (Bedtime Math Series) is another entry in a series of math-focused books that make math fun for kids. It includes more than 100 different math riddles. Each one has three levels of difficulty based on age groups, as well as a bonus question for high achievers. It can keep your kids challenged for many years to come while providing an enjoyable format for them to learn in.

Key Features:

  • Connects content to real-world situations
  • 100+ math riddles
  • Three difficulty levels
  • Part of a series

Cost: $10

Goodnight, Numbers

Goodnight, Numbers

Goodnight, Numbers is a New York Times Bestseller and can be used to subtly teach your kids about math. It incorporates counting and math games into a familiar story to help kids practice their skills while enjoying a bedtime story. The book is highly praised by reviewers for its combination of effective and subtle math problems combined with an overall story that kids genuinely enjoy.

Key Features:

  • Subtle math influences
  • New York Times Bestseller
  • Enjoyable format
  • Counting exercises

Cost: $11

Elementary Math Books for Girls

180 Days of Math for First Grade

180 Days of Math for First Grade

Finding the right math book can make a big difference in how kids learn. 180 Days of Math for First Grade is a good starting point for many students as it provides a structured approach to learning new math concepts. It was designed by a team of teachers to use effective teaching methods and to meet national and state standards. One of the best features is its versatility. It can be used at home or in a classroom setting so that kids learn in a consistent environment.

Key Features:

  • Workbook format
  • Matches state/national standards
  • Designed by a team of teachers
  • Teacher/parent guides included

Cost: $17

Basic Math Skills, Grade 3

Basic Math Skills, Grade 3

The Basic Math Skills series can be useful in helping your kids or a whole class of kids practice 3rd-grade math concepts. The book covers Algebra, Geometry, Probability, Numbers, Operations, and several other concepts that form the foundations of larger math concepts. The pages in this book have activities that can be done alone or in groups, and they are easily reproducible. That way, everyone in the class can have a copy.

Key Features:

  • Reproducible pages
  • Individual, group, or class activities
  • Designed for 3rd graders
  • Wide range of topics

Cost: $30

Channie’s One Page A Day Double Digit Math Problem Workbook for 1st – 3rd Grade

Channie's One Page A Day Double Digit Math Problem Workbook for 1st - 3rd Grade

1st-graders often need extra practice with math concepts to be sure that they learn them well. Channie’s One Page A Day Double Digit Math Problem Workbook for 1st – 3rd Grade provides an easy way to reinforce 1st-grade through 3rd-grade math concepts with easy-to-use worksheets. The book has a tearaway cover and pages, which makes it easy to remove and turn in completed work. There are 365 pages, and each one has 25 problems on it. This makes them easy to grade since each question is worth four points.

Key Features:

  • Tearaway design
  • 365 work pages
  • Structured to help writing practice
  • 25 problems per page

Cost: $12

Daily Word Problems, Grade 4

Daily Word Problems, Grade 4

Daily Word Problems, Grade 4 provides a different take on math problems. Instead of focusing on numbers, it uses word problems to challenge students. These problems use a broad range of topics like sports, materials, and animals to introduce and practice new math concepts. It is a great way to practice math skills while reinforcing reading and literacy skills at the same time. Kids experience the content in a number of different ways including reading and understanding graphs.

Key Features:

  • A broad range of topics influenced by math
  • Practice reading skills as well
  • Includes logic problems
  • Relates to the lives of 4th-graders

Cost: $17

Do Not Open This Math Book: Addition + Subtraction

Do Not Open This Math Book: Addition + Subtraction

This book was written by the New York Times Bestselling author Danica McKellar. It is an easy and fun way to learn the essentials girls need to know to succeed in school. It includes a variety of addition and subtraction problems.

Key Features:

  • Focus on fun
  • New York Times Bestselling author
  • Addition and subtraction problems
  • Focused on modern math and learning concepts

Cost: $11

LeapFrog LeapStart Kindergarten Activity Book: Cook It Up! Math and Logic & Reasoning

LeapFrog LeapStart Kindergarten Activity Book: Cook It Up! Math and Logic & Reasoning

LeapFrog LeapStart Kindergarten Activity Book: Cook It Up! Math and Logic & Reasoning is a good starting point for kindergarten-aged learners. It provides a way of teaching basic math concepts through the lens of cooking. There are more than 30 activities that you can do, and all of them are repeatable. This book focuses on math, logic, and reasoning skills through word problems and basic math problems using imagery.

Key Features:

  • Kindergarten difficulty
  • Math, logic, and reasoning skills
  • 30+ activities
  • Reusable activities

Cost: $8

School RULES! Math: Shortcuts, Secrets, Puzzles, and Tricks to Help You Become a Math Master

School RULES! Math: Shortcuts, Secrets, Puzzles, and Tricks to Help You Become a Math Master

School RULES! Math: Shortcuts, Secrets, Puzzles, and Tricks to Help You Become a Math Master can be used to help your kids get ahead in math. It shows them ways of doing common math operations quickly and easily while helping them memorize different math operations. Using games and exercises, your kids can practice different math skills while finding new ways of making math easier and more accessible.

Key Features:

  • A wide range of math topics
  • Tips and shortcuts for common math uses
  • Relates to real-life situations
  • Practice games and exercises included

Cost: $8

Skill Sharpeners Math, Grade 5

Skill Sharpeners Math, Grade 5

For older students, you can use Skill Sharpeners Math, Grade 5 to practice more advanced math skills. It includes work for division, complex word problems, decimals, and fractions among other options. As a paperback book, it is lightweight and fits into a book bag. That way, your kid can use it at school or at home without adding another heavy book to carry around. The problems include illustrations to help learners understand the concepts being taught. It is also affordable so that you can get multiple for a group or a class.

Key Features:

  • Paperback
  • Illustrated problems
  • A wide range of concepts to learn
  • Lightweight

Cost: $9

Middle School Math Books for Girls

Amazing Visual Math

Amazing Visual Math

If you have a kid that is a visual learner, then she can benefit from Amazing Visual Math. It is designed for early age learners and focuses on the core concepts of math subjects. However, it takes an entirely visual approach to teaching. Many of the concepts use shapes, diagrams, and other visualizations that kids can interact with to explore. For example, the 3D shapes section has pieces that kids can fold into the shapes inside the book. That way, they can see how the shapes are constructed and how they work.

Key Features:

  • Hardcover
  • Designed for early years learning
  • In-depth visualizations
  • Teaches core concepts in new ways

Cost: $12

Hot X: Algebra Exposed!

Hot X: Algebra Exposed!

Hot X: Algebra Exposed! is designed to show kids new ways of approaching Algebra concepts to make them easier to understand and use in the real world. This book contains shortcuts for answering problems but also focuses on demonstrating the use of the different concepts using real-world examples. This makes understanding Algebra easier since the material is more palatable for kids.

Key Features:

  • Real-world examples
  • New ways of understanding Algebra
  • Shortcuts
  • Written by an award-winning author

Cost: $13

Math Girls Talk About Equations & Graphs (Volume 1)

Math Girls Talk About Equations & Graphs (Volume 1)

The Math Girls Talk About Equations & Graphs series is designed to help kids discover the secrets of different math topics using easy-to-understand and visualize methods. Volume 1 is focused on the basics of equations including the different components and how to use different types of numbers in equations. It also talks about the development and interpretation of graphs in different situations. To improve kids’ ability to understand the topics, each chapter contains a review section with practice problems and the answer key.

Key Features:

  • Part of a series
  • Covers core concepts of advanced math topics
  • Review problems included
  • Answer keys included

Cost: $15

Math Olympiad Contest Problems, Volume 2 (REVISED)

Math Olympiad Contest Problems, Volume 2 (REVISED)

Helping a kid prepare for a math contest can be difficult since they often include a diverse range of problems and topics. Math Olympiad Contest Problems, Volume 2 (REVISED) is a good way to consolidate those problems in a way that makes math practice manageable. It contains problems that reflect all of the subjects and problem types for the Math Olympiad, which lets your kid learn a variety of math subjects. The best feature is that the problems are reusable and you can create your own practice test by mixing and matching the different problems throughout the book.

Key Features:

  • Good practice for contests
  • Extensive range of topics
  • Variety of problem types
  • Reusable problems

Cost: $20

The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math: 24 Death-Defying Challenges for Young Mathematicians (Irresponsible Science)

The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math: 24 Death-Defying Challenges for Young Mathematicians (Irresponsible Science)

The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math: 24 Death-Defying Challenges for Young Mathematicians (Irresponsible Science) takes the boring aspect out of math education. It combines fantasy fiction writing with math practice. Each of the 24 math challenges fits into a variety of different storylines that you would find in action and adventure novels. This should help younger learners stay engage and enthusiastic about math practice.

Key Features:

  • Fantasy-inspired math practice
  • 24 challenges
  • Different engaging storylines
  • Design to entertain and inspire while teaching

Cost: $9

Preschool Math Books for Girls

Anno’s Mysterious Multiplying Jar

Anno's Mysterious Multiplying Jar

Many math concepts, including factorials, can be difficult for young learners to understand. Anno’s Mysterious Multiplying Jar combines detailed artwork, in-depth visualizations, and easy-to-understand explanations in order to make factorials palatable for young learners. Masaichiro Anno is well known for creating detailed artwork that also encompasses math concepts. It is a great way to learn about math while exploring art at the same time.

Key Features:

  • Practices factorials
  • High-quality artwork
  • Effective visualizations
  • Makes content easier to understand

Cost: $2

Math Skillbuilders (Grades 2 – 3) (Step Ahead)

Math Skillbuilders (Grades 2 - 3) (Step Ahead)

Math Skillbuilders (Grades 2 – 3) (Step Ahead) is designed to help students get ahead in early learning concepts. While providing practice for basic concepts, it also introduces fractions using money. That way, it can provide realistic examples of how fractions work by presenting different money problems. It also allows young learners to discover new concepts early so that they can get in more practice time.

Key Features:

  • Covers several basic math skills
  • Introduces money and fractions
  • Provides detailed examples
  • Easy-to-understand visualizations

Cost: $5

Peg + Cat: The Pizza Problem

Peg + Cat: The Pizza Problem

Peg + Cat: The Pizza Problem presents an interesting way of introducing fractions. It follows the story of Ped and her cat as they try to solve realistic math problems in a pizza parlor using fractions. The use of creative storytelling is a great idea for keeping young kids engaged while introducing math concepts. One of the best features of this book is that it is reusable and can be used over and over to reinforce fractions while entertaining learners.

Key Features:

  • Introduces concepts and practice through storytelling
  • Focus on fractions
  • Affordable
  • Part of a series

Cost: $6

Ten Magic Butterflies

Ten Magic Butterflies

Learning about grouping numbers into the number 10 can be an effective way to prepare learners for future math learning. Ten Magic Butterflies combines storytelling with artwork and math practice to make math practice more entertaining. It follows the story of ten butterfly friends as they explore the different ways that they can group themselves for different events.

Key Features:

  • Focus on 10 and ways of grouping numbers
  • Combines storytelling with math practice
  • High-quality artwork
  • Written by an award-winning author

Cost: $9

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