Bibliography
Gutman. Dan. 2006. THE HOMEWORK MACHINE. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. ISBN 0689876785
Summary
When their teacher puts them into a work group together, Sam, Kelsy and Judy think that Brenton is a big computer nerd. But when he tells them that he had invented a machine that will do your homework, they insist on him proving it. When he does, the three convince him to let them use it and things quickly get out of hand. The machine starts to put pressure on the foursome, for different reasons. Judy feels guilty about cheating, but feels the need to be a perfect student. Kelsy is afraid her other friends will make fun of her for hanging around the "nerds." Sam is always making fun of Brenton, but needs his help in learning to play chess by mail with his dad who is serving in Iraq. When Sam's dad is killed in combat the four start to bond and what follows involves trouble with the law. Told in short chapters by each of the characters, the story is often funny, but at times exceptionaly sad. Despite this, it carries a strong message of friendship, honesty and tolerance that will engage readers from the first page.
Reviews
CHILD MAGAZINE: Only a miracle -- like a homework machine named Belch -- could unite this unlikely foursome: genius inventor Brenton, overachiever Judy, slacker Kelsey, and smart-aleck Sam. At first, only the machine connects them, but after enough sessions of "doing homework" together, they begin to value each other's differences and become friends. Ideal for middle-grade readers, this highly entertaining story unfolds in short, first-person interviews at the police station. (Yes, they do get caught.) Tucked in between the laughs are excellent messages about tolerance, honesty, and the importance of what the students' teacher calls the "homework machine [that] already exists. It's called your brain." (Ages 8 to 12)
Child magazine's Best Children's Book Awards 2006
KIRKUS REVIEWS: When fifth-graders Judy, Sam and Kelsey discover their classmate Brenton Damagatchi's homework machine, they think they are on to a good thing and begin to visit him regularly after school. Alphabetically seated at the same table, the brilliant Asian-American computer geek, hardworking, high-achieving African-American girl, troubled army brat and ditzy girl with pink hair would seem to have nothing in common. (They would also seem to be stereotypes, but young readers won't mind.) But they share an aversion to the time-consuming grind of after-school work. Their use of the machine doesn't lead to learning-as a surprise spring quiz demonstrates-but it does lead to new friendships and new interests. The events of their year are told chronologically in individual depositions to the police. In spite of the numerous voices, the story is easy to follow, and the change in Sam, especially, is clear, as he discovers talents beyond coolness thanks to a new interest in chess. Middle-grade readers may find one part of this story upsettingly realistic and the clearly stated moral not what they had hoped to hear, but the generally humorous approach will make the lesson go down easily. (Fiction. 8-11)
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