Mind Benders Level 3 Workbook - Deductive Thinking Skills Puzzles (Grades 3-6) Paperback – January 1, 2011

This book is so, so, frustrating. Take for example this puzzle. "The last names of Ivan, Julie, and Kinte are Lohmer, Morton, and Newman. Read the clues to find each person's last name. Clue 1: Newman is Kinte's Aunt." My son doesn't know whether Ivan is a female name or not, so he can't use this clue (only one other was provided for this puzzle, which would be fine if you could reliably identify people's gender by first name). Likewise, we don't know enough about sports to use these clues. For example, one clue in another puzzle said "Horace and Brian don't like cold weather sports." We live in northern Michigan, we ice skate year round but indoors, so does that count as a cold weather sport? Hiking in the winter is gorgeous, you can see different animals than other times of year. Is that a cold weather sport? Another puzzle says to match people with their job they had to miss based on an illness (e.g., laryngitis means a radio announcer can't work), including model, plumber, radio announcer, and gardener. But I don't know is "pulling a muscle in your leg" precludes you from working as a model, plumber, and/or gardener. Another puzzle, intended to identify locations of hide-and-seek players, says that the person hiding can see two other people (e.g., behind a barn, in a tree, behind a garage) but without knowing if the garage is attached or not, you cannot complete the puzzle. Another puzzle says "Corwin doesn't like horses" and you are supposed to tell from this that he doesn't like "westerns". We don't watch tv, my son has no idea what a western in. All of these puzzle occurred in the first 15 pages of the book; it's not just a couple puzzles.My poor kid thought he was unable to do these puzzles but turns out we just don't have enough broad world knowledge. TBF my son is in Grade 2 and this says Grades 3-6. In therms of analytical ability, I think Grade 2 is good. In terms of trivia knowledge (e.g., what is a "valet"), older is probably necessary.

This rating site suggests that “(I) could mention thickness & stretch” about workbooks I ordered! I already completed a survey about the sofa covers. Please check on this situation.My doctor recommended the Mindbender books after my stroke (Sub Arachnoid Hemorrhage). They are really hard!“A Construction Tale” (Level 3, page 32) appears to have some discrepancies. Glue, paste & caulk are mentioned in the clue; however, the chart includes tar, tape & caulk!Please correct this so brain injured persons like myself are not more confused than we already are!P.S., Would you consider rewarding my recognition of this editing oversight with more workbooks? I need all the help I can get!

Arguably these are difficult puzzles for third graders. However, they're all quite possible. Logic puzzles are all about inductive reasoning and process of elimination. *Almost* always the clues provide answers about which item CANNOT be another item, and many include clues like "a cat, a large dog, a goat, and a horse" and then later make references to "$name and $name2 and $name3 are the largest of the four animals", or gender specific names (Julie, or Harold) are referenced later as "is _____'s aunt".I also REALLY like that it uses a lot of less common names, a lot of nationalities, and doesn't pay any attention to "traditional" roles---for example female race car drivers or male nurses.The ONLY critique I have is that it's not very long. I wish there were more for $11. For reference, my son is rocking these out and will start the third grade in a few weeks.

My second grader resolved it pretty fast. I expected her to come to me with question, but, instead, she just brought me solved puzzle and couldn't wait for me to check if she was correct.Great mind exercise. Wish the book would have more pages.

My kids really like these books. I know some reviewers have said the puzzles are impossible and the facts given are irrelevant to solving the problem, but my 8-year-old figured them out. I would suggest starting with level one (or two) and going through the book to work your way up to tackling book three. It’s good practice to learn how to approach these puzzles. Then just take your time. It’s a big “a-ha” sometimes when you finally get the answer. There are also detailed answers in the back that explain the logic if you’re still stumped.

These logic puzzles are fun, but they are a little too easy. Our very bright 2nd grader (he does multiplication math facts in his head up to 10 - and has never studied them) got bored after 2 puzzled and hasn't picked it up again. I wouldn't say it goes up to 6th grade. We'll be getting a harder level for him.

I bought this as a summer activity book for my rising 4th grader...he was initially opposed to it and decided it would be 'too hard' as he'd not seen this type of thinking game before. I started bringing it to the dinner table and working one or two of the puzzles and once he got the hang of it I caught him doing some himself when he didn't think I was watching.There are varying degrees of difficulty and most are suitable for his level. Basically 2 or 3 sentences are generally given and from the information you are challenged to figure out what two things are related---hide and seek spots, matching last names to first names, favorite sports etc. Lots of fun and appropriate for the 3-6 grade noted on the front cover.Recommended!JTG

If you kid knows how to do logic puzzles, that this will be too easy for anyone over grade 3.