(*Three and a half stars, actually*) What if you never had to spend time on homework ever again? A homework machine could free up your time to do other fun things---would you use it and keep the secret? What could possibly go wrong?Attracted to the plot summary and diversity in this cast of characters, I selected "The Homework Machine", by the prolific Mr. Dan Gutman, as the next book for the Kids' (Library) Book Club members to read. The albeit interesting story of "Belch" (an alias for the Homework Machine) unfolds in reverse as Brenton, Judy, Snik and Kelsey, (nicknamed "D-Squad" because all of their surnames begin with "D"), as well as suspicious classmates and several adults in their lives, recount the incidents to the local police for the record. While reading, I was struck by a fairly sophisticated tone in the children's communication. Brenton and Judy are supposed to be intelligent, high-performing and self-motivated students, Snik and Kelsey are less focused and struggling students. Many times their narrative voices sounded more mature than typical fifth graders'. Brenton seemed more a high school geek genius, but that was consistent with his character description anyway. Kelsey also had moments of sounding more like a bored adolescent. Judy however, often had insights and reactions that one might attribute to a parent or teacher. In fact, the voice of first year teacher, Miss Rasmussen practically seemed naive in comparison. I guess in my opinion, Snik seemed to have the most authentic fifth grade voice, although I don't know many 10-year old children who would manage loss as rationally as he seemed too.The D-Squad's teacher's reasons for delayed realization of the cheating was plausible to me. However, the parents merely missed key signs that something was afoul because they seemed overly worried about meddling in their young children's business and violating their privacy. Really? Well maybe some modern child readers will relate to that...I don't know. I know that when I was a 10-year old fifth grader, my mother was more involved in my life. She certainly met and interacted with all of the friends who came over to our place and the few whose homes I was allowed to visit! And I certainly wouldn't have been allowed to hang out and play with those same friends right after we got (gently) chastised by the school and the police for participating in a cheating ring! Hmmmn.... Despite the things that make me scratch my head, "The Homework Machine" is an intriguing, charismatic book that hopefully will provide my book club members with much to engage with and discuss.
Reading level: 4.8Interest level: 4 - 6Themes to be aware of: Divorce, death of a parent, "going out" (i.e. dating) in fifth grade, cheating, honesty, friendshipFrom School Library Journal:Gr 4-6-Fifth-grader Brenton is a computer genius, but the other three members of his work group think he's a nerd. So, when he tells them that he has invented a machine that does homework, they taunt him until he agrees to demonstrate. The machine actually works, and Kelsey, Sam, and Judy convince him to let them use it. At first, they are delighted with their freedom, but things quickly get out of hand. Their teacher is suspicious of the suddenly errorless work, and other friends resent the time that they spend together. The dynamics within the group are stressful as well. Judy, a talented student, feels guilty about cheating, but is pressured to excel. Kelsey is concerned that her friends will shun her for associating with "nerds," but her improved grades earn privileges at home. Wisecracking Sam makes fun of Brenton but needs his help in playing chess by mail with his dad, who is serving in Iraq. The children gradually begin to bond, especially after Sam's father is killed in combat. Eventually, their secret causes conflict with the law. The story is told entirely through short excerpts from police interviews. This device shows the developing relationships through the kids' own observations. There are touches of humor in the way the four classmates talk about themselves and one another. Ominous hints about the legal trouble maintain tension throughout the story, but its exact nature isn't revealed until near the end. A dramatic and thought-provoking story with a strong message about honesty and friendship.-Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
What do You think about The Homework Machine (2006)?
The Homework Machine is a great book for fifth graders, particularly those that aren't quite reading on grade level. Four students, randomly assigned to the same group in their class, form an unlikely friendship after Brenton Damagatchi creates a homework machine. Judy, Sam, Kelsey, and Brenton all benefit from the machine but each of them learns that homework and doing your own work are important. I especially liked that each of the kids had a unique personality and voice. Most readers will find one of the narrators to connect with. Recommended for 5th graders.I listened to the audio version of this book and enjoyed the frequent changes in voice and rhythm of the story. A few of the adults, especially Miss Rasmussen, sounded like computer readers to me but the end-of-book narration provided the full cast of readers.
—Laura
Most every child dreams of the day when their is no more homework, and this book explores that fantasy and the age old wise tale of "be careful what you wish for." We are introduced to an array of students that fit just about every norm you may find in the average classroom, such as the class clown, geek, teachers pet, or slacker. These children create a machine named Belch that does their homework for them, but things spiral out of control and serious consequences are threatening to materialize if they don't regain power over their risky creation. The story is fun and colorful and I would recommend it to just about any child who wondered how cool it may be not have the worry of homework and get effortless A's.
—Reggie Overton
Oh, Dan Gutman. What happened? I went into this book with such high expectations, since I love the Baseball Card Mysteries and the My Weird School series. And I probably could have liked this book pretty well based on the plot (four fifth-graders come together over the invention of a homework machine), if it hadn't been for Gutman's treatment of the characters of color.Brenton is a horribly stereotypical Asian nerd who is socially inept, kills it at Ping-Pong and chess, has an IQ of about a billion, and loves to invent things.Judy is a prissy clone of Jody Landon from Daria, down to her name.I really wanted to use this as a fourth- and fifth-grade book discussion pick at the library, but we have a lot of Asian-American kids who take book discussion books and I would hate to give them (not to mention their peers of any race) something that so horribly stereotypes them.
—Kate
