Brain Quest Grade 1 (Brain Quest)

What 3 numbers come between 18 and 22? Change these letters around to make a furry pet: a-c-t. How many stars are on the American flag? Plus sums, opposites, time, shapes, places, Grab Bag, and: The toy costs 25 cents. Can you buy it with two dimes and a nickle? Brain Quest Grade 1 quizzes kids on the stuff they need to know when they need to know it, with 750 curriculum-based questions and answers reflecting the latest school standards.

Vetted by a panel of America’s highest award-winning teachers, and embraced by kids and parents because it flat-out works, Brain Quest opens a world of information and education with its fast-paced question-and-answer format, bright full-color illustrations, and lively attitude.

When the Brain Quest series moves from preschool age to the first-grade set, it transforms from a playful question game into a sort of elementary school version of Trivial Pursuit. (In the spirit of this new grown-up air, there is no longer a cheerful animal guide appearing throughout the decks.) Now, each card features one question from each of five category sections: Reading, Math, Vocabulary, Social Studies & Science, and Grab Bag. The rules are gentle: Playing in teams, with partners, or solo, you can stick to your favorite subject category or play the whole card. Keeping score (they offer three different versions) is optional.

Though the framework of the game feels very grown-up, the questions are not out of a first grader's league. A math question asks, "What coin is the same as 25 cents?" A sample science question reads, "Name the force that keeps you from floating in the air." There is much good humor in these questions, and the name references are nicely up to date, though not completely contemporary (Beanie Baby references can be found here, but Pokémon's not mentioned). (Ages 6 to 7). --Jean Lenihan