The Homework Machine

Gutman, Dan. 2006. The Homework Machine. New York: Simon & Schuster.



Summary
This book is written using several different character's voices. Each section begins with a person's name and then we hear their version of what is going on. The four main characters form a group called the D Squad. This group is initially formed becuase their teacher puts them all into a group alphabetically by their last names. They are all quit different from each other and are not friends at the beginning of the story. One of the boys in the group is pretty much a boy genius and invents a homework machine that will do each person's homework using that person's own handwritting. They name the machine Belch. Eventually the machine starts to take over and the foursome have to figure out how to get out of this situation.

Impressions
This book has a very unique and clever plot. The way that the characters are written makes them likeable and believeable. Children will love the plot revoloving around having a homework machine. The way that the four students form their friendship is also very believable. They don't start out having very much in common but through shared experiences they all develop strong and believable friendships.

Reviews

School Library Journal( December 01, 2007 ; 1-4281-4483-8 ) "Gr 4-6-When fifth-grade computer genius Brenton invents a machine that can do homework, it seems like a great idea to three other youngsters in his class. However, things quickly spiral out of control as "Belch" changes from a useful tool to a menacing threat."-Cindy Lombardo, Tuscarawas County Public Library, New Philadelphia, OH Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Booklist( February 01, 2006 ; 0-689-87678-5 ) "Gr. 4-6. In a novel about a boy clever enough to make his computer do his homework for him, Gutman delivers a fresh take on an idea as old as Danny Dunn and the Homework Machine 0 (1958)." --Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2006 Booklist