The Homework Machine

DOING HOMEWORK BECOMES A THING OF THE PAST

The unlikely foursome made up of a geek, a class clown, a teacher's pet, and a slacker -- Brenton, Sam Snick, Judy and Kelsey, respectively, -- are bound together by one very big secret: the homework machine. Because the machine, code named Belch, is doing their homework for them, they start spending a lot of time together, attracting a lot of attention. And attention is exactly what you don't want when you are keeping a secret.

Before long, members of the D Squad, as they are called at school are getting strange Instant Messages from a shady guy named Milner; their teacher, Miss Rasmussen, is calling private meetings with each of them and giving them pop tests that they are failing; and someone has leaked the possibility of a homework machine to the school newspaper. Just when the D Squad thinks things can't get any more out of control, Belch becomes much more powerful than they ever imagined. Soon the kids are in a race against their own creation, and the loser could end up in jail...or worse

Author: Dan Gutman
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published: 03/01/2006
Pages: 160
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.60w x 0.80d
ISBN: 9780689876783
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.8
Point Value: 4
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 103771 / Homework Machine


Award: Land of Enchantment Book Award - Nominee
Award: Sunshine State Young Reader's Award - Nominee
Award: South Carolina Childrens, Junior and Young Adult Book Award - Nominee
Award: Nene Award - Recommended
Award: Golden Sower Award - Nominee
Award: Young Reader's Choice Award - Nominee
Award: Iowa Children's Choice (ICCA) Award - Nominee
Award: Maine Student Book Award - Second Place
Award: North Carolina Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Keystone to Reading Book Award - Nominee
Award: Colorado Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Nutmeg Book Award - Nominee
Award: Sasquatch Award - Winner
Award: Virginia Readers Choice Award - Nominee
Award: Nene Award - Recommended
Award: Volunteer State Book Awards - Nominee
Award: Massachusetts Children's Book Award - Honor Book


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Review - Children 02/01/2006 pg. 131
Booklist 02/01/2006 pg. 48
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 03/01/2006 pg. 312 - Recommended
School Library Journal 04/01/2006 pg. 140
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2006 pg. 340 - Below Average, With Minor Flaw
Booklist Ed Choice Youth 01/01/2007 pg. 13

About the Author
Dan Gutman hated to read when he was a kid. Then he grew up. Now he writes cool books like The Kid Who Ran for President; Honus & Me; The Million Dollar Shot; Race for the Sky; and The Edison Mystery: Qwerty Stevens, Back in Time. If you want to learn more about Dan or his books, stop by his website at DanGutman.com.

Dan Santat is the Caldecott Medal-winning and New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, as well as the illustrator of many other picture books, including Crankenstein by Samantha Berger. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and various pets.