All of the Above by Shelley Pearsall

All of the Above by Shelley Pearsall is based on the story of a group of Ohio students who wanted to build the largest tetrahedron in the world. In this story, Mr. Collins has had it with his math class. On a whim, he asks one of the students what would make him want to be in class. His answer led Mr. Collins to begin the after school club that would try to build the 3-dimensional 4-sided triangular shape known as the tetrahedron. A school in California built one, and four of Mr. Collins's students decided to try beating their record. Rhondell is only part of the club because she thinks it may help her get into college - no one she's ever known has gone to college. Marcel joins the club for fun, but also so he can get out of working at his father, Willy Q's barbecue restaurant. Sharice joins so she'll have something to do in the afternoon, since her foster non-parent #5 won't allow Sharice to be in the house alone and has been coming home later and later each night. Finally, James joins the club because he's failing math and Mr. Collins promises him a passing grade for 1st quarter if he shows up every afternoon. Little does everyone know, this project will bring them together and change their lives in ways no one could have predicted.

This was a great story! It made me want to make a tetrahedron!! I really liked the way the author told the story through different perspectives - not only the kids in the club, but Mr. Collins, Rhondell's mother and aunt, Willy Q, and others. Knowing the students' back stories made the story a lot more interesting, and helped me understand their activities in the club and outside of school better. I especially liked the way Mr. Collins's thoughts about tetrahedrons mirrored the students' struggles.