A Foreign World

Polynomial and his sister, Omni, find themselves living in Chicago after their parents are kidnapped. What sort of adventure awaits them?

Learn More

Why Kinder Prim?

Author Marcus Haynes explains how and why he developed Kinder Prim in this interview.

Read More

About the book

Polynomial: A Gift from the Future


Cover of 'Polynomial: A Gift from the Future'

Polynomial is a twelve-year-old boy with an eight-year-old sister named Omni. They are from an easy and friendly Heidelberg, Germany town. Polynomial and Omni are fun-loving, beyond average intelligence, kids who are home-schooled, until a sudden family mishap — their parents are kidnapped. Displaced for a few days at a shelter, they assume that family in Munich will take them in, but they are wrong. They are surprised to learn that an uncle that they are unfamiliar with has committed to taking them. The only thing is that this uncle lives in America, is married to a black woman, but have no idea what kind of city Chicago is.


Initially excited by the beauty and vastness of Chicago, Polynomial learns very quickly that he may not like Chicago. And to make matters worse, their uncle lives in a very questionable neighborhood — a foreign world to Polynomial and Omni.


Polynomial has found nothing with which to encourage him in wanting to stay there in Chicago, until one day when he meets a unique African-American by the name of Magnetic. Magnetic takes on the appearance of an ordinary black kid from the inner-city, but Polynomial soon learns that this isn't the case with Magnetic. Magnetic is the first kid Polynomial's age to ever challenge his intellect and morality. And when he realizes that Polynomial is in possession of something very special to him, he secretly sends Polynomial on a blind adventure that is sure to get his attention.



Buy now at Amazon

Buy now at B&N

The Imaginary Number



Mathematicians have always been creative in regards to mathematics. So creative, that many forms of it have no underlying link with reality. Some realized that they were playing a very deep game where they could set their own rules, play along, and see what happens. Sometimes, or most of the times, these rules would create a function of steps that would have no practical relevance to the real world, and sometimes...something practical would come about.

Mathematicians once began playing around with an idea; the square root of a negative number. Also called — the imaginary number. The intention of the imaginary number wasn't to solve problems. They were simply enjoying the idea of exploring in that new direction of their mathematical game. The only thing, the rules that were decided apart for this new game, eventually emerged into a huge, useful tool for physicists and engineers.

This is the reason that Polynomial, and the other virtual educators, wear the patch of the imaginary number over their chests. The avatars may appear to be just 'imaginary' virtual entities, but if the wisdom and lessons that they teach are applied, they will open new dimensions of learning for any youth who interacts with them.

√(-1)



A word
with the
author



Note: This is a continuation from an interview found in the back of the book.


You're creating an educational brand while in prison, very uncommon. May I ask what your education status is?
I'm not real sure how to categorize my education status. Not sure how to graph over two decades of reading and studying a variety of educational material. In prison, that is. Where time is on my side. If you simply measure one's education status by a college degree, then I don't have a degree. I voluntarily stopped attending at 37 credited hours.


Do you think you'll have more to prove to convince people to take Kinder Prim seriously, not only because you're in prison, but also because you're not college educated?
Of course, I expect some resistance. And I look forward in proving myself beyond worthy. Not only intellectually, but character and personality as well. I understand I'm a prisoner, and I'm going into a field where prisoners or ex-prisoners generally, or literally, do not go into. Which is the educational field. I have a strong desire to help people in a major way, and who better to help, than oppressed youth? I possess a lot of beautiful information that I know is effective, because it transformed me from a gang member, to an intelligent man who gets along with everyone. Instead of playing dominos, cards, or watch sports all day, the majority of my days are spent learning, trying to become a better person, and developing Kinder Prim. A system designed to unleash the true potential in any young mind who frequently participates with it. If one child truly benefits from my Kinder Prim system, then my time spent won't be a waste.


To add, I'd like to share with you a maxim from the late Austrian economist Ludwig Von Mises. He stated, I quote, 'Many who are self-taught, far excel the doctors, masters, and bachelors of the most renowned universities.' Though there are disadvantages with regards to higher learning in prison, there are some heavy advantages, also. And I still exploit those advantages today.


Who is your target market for your virtual education system?
My Kinder Prim system is for, but not limited to, minority children. Which, in America, that basically means black and hispanic children. Though not ignoring asian, middle eastern, and white, or children of indian descent either. The desired age range, are 3 to 15. And my system is designed to raise conscious levels...and not just test scores. Children will definitely learn things they won't in traditional schools.


How did you come up with such a concept with your first published book?
The book, Polynomial, A Gift From The Future, is a result of me realizing that the world isn't getting any better. My storyworld is the result of me realizing that my people are in danger. When I realized that there were politics involved with the education system in America, that negatively affects black and hispanic, as well as other minority children. I asked myself one day: What is the most effective method in regards of motivating a large number of children, from all walks of life, into developing positive thinking patterns, and high-performance habits? And in time, it came to me. Then I named it Kinder Prim. It involves a patent. To go further, I decided to utilize the author in me, and create an entertaining storyworld surrounding the two main features of the Kinder Prim system. And I think I hit it on the nail. The storyworld is split into two books, the first of which, can be found for sale on Amazon. It's reality based fiction, and educational. For young adults. When the time is right, part two will be released. It's titled "The Avatar's Awakening."


What are your goals for Kinder Prim?
My ultimate goal for Kinder Prim, is for it to achieve its desired effect. Which in turn, would make it the most effective virtual learning experience in the country. I have several goals for Kinder Prim. It will help children in ways that's not being done right now.


Why does Kinder Prim exist?
Kinder Prim exists because we know that there are millions of disadvantaged children who aren't fortunate to receive a high-quality education. Kinder Prim exists because we know that there are millions of parents who can't afford to provide their children with a high-quality education. And just knowing that these children cannot maximize their existence and quality of life unless and until these parents and children are properly educated along lines appropriate to optimizing their mental and physical potential — is why Kinder Prim exists.


What are your plans for Kinder Prim once you re-enter society? Or is re-entering society not possible under your circumstance?
I envision a physical Kinder Prim learning center, as in the stories, where the youth can visit, explore, socialize with other youth, and just enjoy fun, peaceful, educational experiences. And yes, re-entering society is possible for me. In fact, I'd like to take this time to thank not-for-profit organizations such as T.I.F.A. and the epicenter's Deanna Luprete and Leah Metzler. These people sacrifice and dedicate their precious time fighting for the freedom of deserving prisoners like me, who committed their crimes at real young ages. It is people like them, as well as our Secretary of the Department of Education, Betsy Devos, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Tiffany Jones of Education Trust, among other Congressional lawmakers who are trying to better our country, by getting college education in prison systems that don't have it. These people know, that a released, college educated person doesn't come back to prison. They stay out.


Any last words for the readers?
Yes. If you've already read the first story, titled, Polynomial, A Gift From the Future, thank you, if you've enjoyed it. Part two is on the way. If you're a minority parent, I dare you to read this book, and not give it to your pre-teen child. I hope your child enjoys it just as much as I enjoy writing it. But the best of Kinder Prim is yet to come. I need funds to secure a patent attorney. Once the patent is secure, and I locate the right company, Kinder Prim will reset the bar for the quality of information/education that minority or less fortunate children will have access to. For anyone who seeks to learn more about my efforts with Kinder prim, or you simply have a comment and would like to write, I can be found at the address listed below. Thank you, and peace!





About the Author

Marcus Haynes

 

Marcus Haynes has been incarcerated since the tender age of seventeen. After twenty-five years in prison, he has turned his back on the criminal world and dedicated himself to transforming lives and futures of other disadvantaged youth, and black and Hispanic youth in general, with the goal of keeping them away form criminality, and therefore prison.


After twenty years of educating himself, Marcus is convinced that he knows how parents and caregivers can stimulate the intellectual, personal and social development of their children, which will greatly enhance the possibility that they will not commit terrible crimes.


If the street — and book — smart founder of Kinder Prim is embraced by the education community, whose interests lie with digital equity and the racial identity development of ignored, oppressed, black and Hispanic children, then the author believes we can take America to the next stage in evolution.