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(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Phyllis Hornung.
Young Pythagoras of ancient Greece confronts several problems having to do with angles (e.g., some columns stand on crooked bases); ultimately, he derives his namesake theorem to solve them. As a protagonist, Pythagoras lacks charisma, and the synthetic-looking illustrations don't help the cause. But the notion of teaching math through narrative is worthwhile, and the lessons within the text are clearly articulated, hence painless.