Book cover of The Elephant in the Classroom: Helping Children Learn and Love Maths

Book description

A NEW EDITION OF THE ORIGINAL BESTSELLER

'Well-researched and provides positive solutions' Times Educational Supplement

In The Elephant in the Classroom, Jo Boaler outlines what has gone wrong in mathematics education, identifying the problems facing children in classrooms today. How can children be prepared for the mathematics they will need…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Elephant in the Classroom as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I love this book because it completely changed the way I think about the way children learn maths and made me acknowledge the infinite potential that every child (and adult) has to grow and improve their maths thinking.

This book played a huge part in me leading a change in the last school I taught in, where children were seated in mixed achieving groups (no more bottom, middle, or top tables!) and were able to choose their own level of tasks in maths.

The reaction of all the children was so positive, and the increase in their enthusiasm, engagement, and…

If you love The Elephant in the Classroom...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like The Elephant in the Classroom?

Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Elephant in the Classroom.

Browse books like The Elephant in the Classroom

Book cover of Animals by the Numbers: A Book of Infographics
Book cover of Think of a Number
Book cover of Ten Delicious Teachers

Share your top 3 reads of 2026!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

181

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like The Elephant in the Classroom, you might also like...

Book cover of Sexy Selfie Nation: Standing Up for Yourself in Today's Toxic, Sexist Culture

Sexy Selfie Nation by Leora Tanenbaum,

The problem is not with the actions young women take but with the toxic, sexist conditions they are responding to.

Tanenbaum found, based on six years of interviews with young people ages 14-30, that young women are navigating a culture littered with gendered dress codes, revenge porn, and sexually explicit…

Book cover of In This Together: Connecting with Your Community to Combat the Climate Crisis

In This Together by Marianne E. Krasny,

In This Together explores how we can harness our social networks to make a real impact fighting the climate crisis. Against notions of the lone environmental crusader, Marianne E. Krasny shows us the power of "network climate action"—the idea that our own ordinary acts can influence and inspire those close…

5 book lists we think you will like!