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!

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published: 03/01/2006
ISBN: 9780689876783
Pages: 160
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.60w x 0.80d
Award: Maine Student Book Award - Second Place
Award: Nene Award - Recommended
Award: Golden Sower Award - Nominee
Award: Volunteer State Book Awards - Nominee
Award: Young Reader's Choice Award - Nominee
Award: Iowa Children's Choice (ICCA) Award - Nominee
Award: Massachusetts Children's Book Award - Honor Book
Award: North Carolina Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Keystone to Reading Book Award - Nominee
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: Colorado Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Nene Award - Recommended
Award: Nutmeg Book Award - Nominee
Award: Sasquatch Award - Winner
Award: Virginia Readers Choice Award - Nominee

Review Citations: 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

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