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The Homework Machine #1
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!
160 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2006
265 people are currently reading
3,159 people want to read
About the author
Dan Gutman
323books1,000followersThe author of over 80 books in a little over a decade of writing, Dan Gutman has written on topics from computers to baseball. Beginning his freelance career as a nonfiction author dealing mostly with sports for adults and young readers, Gutman has concentrated on juvenile fiction since 1995. His most popular titles include the time-travel sports book Honus and Me and its sequels, and a clutch of baseball books, including The Green Monster from Left Field. From hopeful and very youthful presidential candidates to stunt men, nothing is off limits in Gutman's fertile imagination. As he noted on his author Web site, since writing his first novel, They Came from Centerfield, in 1994, he has been hooked on fiction. "It was fun to write, kids loved it, and I discovered how incredibly rewarding it is to take a blank page and turn it into a WORLD."
Gutman was born in New York City in 1955, but moved to Newark, New Jersey the following year and spent his youth there.
Gutman was born in New York City in 1955, but moved to Newark, New Jersey the following year and spent his youth there.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 649 reviews
February 4, 2018
4.25*
This book was pretty weird and funny and the story shifts perspectives between a few different characters including the 4 main ones who use the homework machine. They insert the homework into a scanner and then a printer prints out their completed homework (in their own handwriting). There's some weird stuff with a stalker and the machine near the ending. The story isn't so much about the hw machine as it's about the effect the machine has of the characters lives.
The 4 main characters are Sam, Judy, Brenton and Kelsey.
Quotes from Sam:
"Thomas Edison went to school for four months. He never did any homework, and look how he turned out."
"There’s a name for working without getting paid. It’s called slavery, and it was banned during the Civil War. If kids are forced to do homework, they should be paid for it."
This book was pretty weird and funny and the story shifts perspectives between a few different characters including the 4 main ones who use the homework machine. They insert the homework into a scanner and then a printer prints out their completed homework (in their own handwriting). There's some weird stuff with a stalker and the machine near the ending. The story isn't so much about the hw machine as it's about the effect the machine has of the characters lives.
The 4 main characters are Sam, Judy, Brenton and Kelsey.
Quotes from Sam:
"Thomas Edison went to school for four months. He never did any homework, and look how he turned out."
"There’s a name for working without getting paid. It’s called slavery, and it was banned during the Civil War. If kids are forced to do homework, they should be paid for it."
March 13, 2020
I am giving this book a 4 because I enjoyed it, it had lots of humor, and I got it. I would recommend this book to not many people because I don't think many people would get it like I did. The book is about four kids in grade five that live in Colorado near the Grand Canyon, when the smartest makes a homework machine and it ends up ruining their lives.
February 13, 2008
Four kids all have a last name that begins with a D so they are called the D Squad. One of the D Squad members, Brenton says he has a homework machine and so all the squad members go over to his house and use the homework machine. Can they keep their secret? Or will someone find out?
February 3, 2009
This book was a good one that I'd recomend for kids ages 10-12. 'The Homework Machine' by Dan Gutman takes you on a sort of sci-fi adventure, when Sam, Brenton, Judy, and Kelsy find out that Brenton has invented a homework machine they nickname Belch. You see Brenton was different from the day he was born, he never cried as a baby, and wrote his first piece of music when he was six. He also never seemed to have friends. Then Brenton let's his little seceret slip and tells Sam about the homework machine. If you want to find out what happens to them (and Belch) you'll have to read 'The Homework Machine' by Dan Gutman.
December 24, 2022
3⭐️
A group of kids in a grade 5 class begin to use a machine that one of the boys created that does their homework for them. The pitfalls and consequences that arise from the use of the machine complicate their lives.
I think this would be fun to read AS a kid, but as an adult reading a middle grade book, it was ok�
A group of kids in a grade 5 class begin to use a machine that one of the boys created that does their homework for them. The pitfalls and consequences that arise from the use of the machine complicate their lives.
I think this would be fun to read AS a kid, but as an adult reading a middle grade book, it was ok�
April 13, 2009
This book was very unique and enjoyable to read. I think how the author put the book in a interview style was very creative. It worked out because they were getting interviewed while telling the whole story at the same time. I liked how two of the characters were kind of smarty pants and the others kind of just went with the flow. The story is great and the characters are too. I liked it maybe you will too.
October 5, 2016
I didn't like this book because to me I felt like there wasn't much of a plot to the story and it doesn't make any since at all.So in the third grade me and my friend Alex read the homework machine because we thought it would be good and the story had no dialogue no plot and no conclusion so after we read and rated it re rate it with 2 stars. I wouldn't recommend this book to you.
Sincerely,
Cameron
Sincerely,
Cameron
October 21, 2020
A five star comfortable school story for 4th or 5th grade children. Not much real intensity, no poverty, satisfying ending, plenty of heart. I disliked one element but mostly I would recommend this to kids who hate homework.. and maybe their parents and teachers, too.
Wait, what? First in a series? Hmm....
Wait, what? First in a series? Hmm....
September 11, 2022
My son and I love books by Dan Gutman. They were funny and keep his attention. And keep him wanting to read more.
January 1, 2023
Primary school children learn about friendship and responsibility. It is interesting to see how their opinions about each other change as the book progresses. The writing style, everyone writing in first person, took me a bit to get used to but afterwards reading was very smooth.
January 26, 2018
I really like the format of the book its something that I personally I have never read before
I thought it was a really awesome book and I would recommend to people who hate homework.
I also thought that this book was really different because of the format it isn't verse but it isn't just regular either its more of an interview in a book telling the story
I thought it was a really awesome book and I would recommend to people who hate homework.
I also thought that this book was really different because of the format it isn't verse but it isn't just regular either its more of an interview in a book telling the story
July 21, 2013
Reading level: 4.8
Interest level: 4 - 6
Themes to be aware of: Divorce, death of a parent, "going out" (i.e. dating) in fifth grade, cheating, honesty, friendship
From 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.
Interest level: 4 - 6
Themes to be aware of: Divorce, death of a parent, "going out" (i.e. dating) in fifth grade, cheating, honesty, friendship
From 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.
August 10, 2023
So this book has aged. Whether it's Snik's comment that kids being stuck inside is making them fat, Brendon's being arguably an autistic Asian stereotype (the only Asian character being a socially awkward kid who's also a supergenius is... ehhhh), Judy's musing that if she doesn't want people to judge her for the color of her skin she shouldn't judge Kelsey for the color of her hair, the military bootlicking throughout (good god the references to the generic “”””Middle East”””�) or the general belief that school and homework are ultimately good for kids... this is definitely a slightly older one.
However! I love this book so much. I love the story. I love the told-in-police-interviews style, which is especially ambitious for a kids' book. I do love that Judy, as the primary Black character, is also a genius in her own right and that she works really hard to get good grades and a major part of her story is her need to be a teacher's pet! And if Snik's storyline with his dad and the chess game doesn't get you in the feels, you probably don't have any. A lot of little things about this book are really meaningful to me, and I feel like the vast majority of my critiques could be addressed through tweaks or line changes rather than adjusting the entire core of the book (e.g. just add other Asian characters!). I find it hard to knock even one star for that reason.
So I'll keep this one as a personal favorite. I still read it often, and it still warms my heart. I'd recommend it with those caveats.
However! I love this book so much. I love the story. I love the told-in-police-interviews style, which is especially ambitious for a kids' book. I do love that Judy, as the primary Black character, is also a genius in her own right and that she works really hard to get good grades and a major part of her story is her need to be a teacher's pet! And if Snik's storyline with his dad and the chess game doesn't get you in the feels, you probably don't have any. A lot of little things about this book are really meaningful to me, and I feel like the vast majority of my critiques could be addressed through tweaks or line changes rather than adjusting the entire core of the book (e.g. just add other Asian characters!). I find it hard to knock even one star for that reason.
So I'll keep this one as a personal favorite. I still read it often, and it still warms my heart. I'd recommend it with those caveats.
March 2, 2015
This is an entertaining story about a group of four unlikely students who become friends though a shared experience that is both improbable and humorous.
The narrative is comprised of interviews with the four friends along with other students, parents, teachers, and other authority figures. We listened to the story performed by various narrators on an audio CD version of the book with ISBN13 9781428144835 while we followed along with this paperback edition.
The story is fun to listen to and we loved the various characters' perspectives. Even my hubby had to chuckle at the silliness and fairly typical adolescent angst. The format of the story was novel, but I don't think I'd like to read too many stories like this.
The narrative is comprised of interviews with the four friends along with other students, parents, teachers, and other authority figures. We listened to the story performed by various narrators on an audio CD version of the book with ISBN13 9781428144835 while we followed along with this paperback edition.
The story is fun to listen to and we loved the various characters' perspectives. Even my hubby had to chuckle at the silliness and fairly typical adolescent angst. The format of the story was novel, but I don't think I'd like to read too many stories like this.
February 4, 2017
This has 4 main character Sam Kelsy Judy and Brenton. Brenton is super smart. He creates a homework machine to do his homwwork for him. Sam says he does not belive that it will work. So Sam Kelsy and Judy come over after school that day too see if its real. It worked!!! It had his handwriting and all the anwsers were correct on his piece of paper. So Sam, Kelsy and Judy decided they want to do it as well. But Brentons mom does not know what is happening because Brenton never has anybody over. And they go there every day. A boy named John sees this and he is wondering what was happening. This book was 4 stars because it was not so exiting the whole time.
January 11, 2009
Kids who love Andrew Clements will certainly enjoy this story. A machine that will do your homework for you? Fabulous. Teachers will love the fact that it shows how the kids mature and that you can make friends with the most unlikely people. It's a great read aloud. There is one element of the story that I could have done without, but I won't give it away.
January 14, 2021
My 8 and 10 year old both listened to the audiobook so I did too. It’s a cute story but there are some important themes in this book about friendship and honesty and even war. It is an exciting and unpredictable story. It taught my daughter about narrative tools such as various character perspective and how those can be useful when done well. This is a great book for grade schoolers.
March 24, 2021
Read with my students for book club. Had not read it since it was a Sunshine State book about 12 years ago. Really great book for mature fourth graders.
Good themes and discussions able to be had. My students gobbled this book up and are taking turns reading my two copies of the second one!
Good themes and discussions able to be had. My students gobbled this book up and are taking turns reading my two copies of the second one!
January 16, 2022
2021-2022 Battle of the Books
Ableist Slurs/Language, Stereotypes
Ableist Slurs/Language, Stereotypes
February 17, 2019
Multi-narrator school story that had my son and I discussing the ethics.
4.5 stars.
My 8 year old's first real experience of more than one narrator in a book. And we listened to this, though in some ways it was easier this way, with different actors portraying characters and easily separating them.
It's a great story, with SO much for discussion. At a school near the Grand Canyon, a genius-level student invents a machine that can do his homework, and shares this with the other three kids he sits with.
The brainy kid is very different to the girl trailing him for grades, the boy with an army dad who hates homework and the girl desperate for a belly button ring. But the stereotypes are soon revealed to the reader/listener as anything but, they each have their own story and life, we get to know them all, as well as their young and inexperienced teacher.
The entire story takes place in the form of police reports, each character dictating their story of the homework machine to an officer, again a great technique for young readers, as it puts the whole story in the past with both the former actions/speech shown but also the character's current thoughts.
We both loved listening to this, and ended up talking quite a lot about the ethics and use of a homework machine. Sam, son of an army dad, also plays a lot of chess throughout, which we liked hearing about as my son too enjoys playing chess.
The range of voices gives an accurate representation of the pre-teen characters, and each sounds very different to the others. It didn't take us long to know who was talking and who they each were.
I believe there are other stories in this series, but I quite liked the way this ended. Using an audio version to access the story did work well for this format, and saved me trying to make the voice of each character sound different if reading aloud.
One for ages 7-12.
4.5 stars.
My 8 year old's first real experience of more than one narrator in a book. And we listened to this, though in some ways it was easier this way, with different actors portraying characters and easily separating them.
It's a great story, with SO much for discussion. At a school near the Grand Canyon, a genius-level student invents a machine that can do his homework, and shares this with the other three kids he sits with.
The brainy kid is very different to the girl trailing him for grades, the boy with an army dad who hates homework and the girl desperate for a belly button ring. But the stereotypes are soon revealed to the reader/listener as anything but, they each have their own story and life, we get to know them all, as well as their young and inexperienced teacher.
The entire story takes place in the form of police reports, each character dictating their story of the homework machine to an officer, again a great technique for young readers, as it puts the whole story in the past with both the former actions/speech shown but also the character's current thoughts.
We both loved listening to this, and ended up talking quite a lot about the ethics and use of a homework machine. Sam, son of an army dad, also plays a lot of chess throughout, which we liked hearing about as my son too enjoys playing chess.
The range of voices gives an accurate representation of the pre-teen characters, and each sounds very different to the others. It didn't take us long to know who was talking and who they each were.
I believe there are other stories in this series, but I quite liked the way this ended. Using an audio version to access the story did work well for this format, and saved me trying to make the voice of each character sound different if reading aloud.
One for ages 7-12.
July 10, 2024
4/5⭐️
0/5🌶�
📄”The way your life plays out depends on which dominoes you choose to push over and which ones you leave alone.”�
🖨� I thought this book was so fun! I didn’t realize how prevalent it would be too! A group of four 5th graders uses a machine to do their homework for them, but it honestly opens up a conversation about the presence of AI in society and what role it could/should have in our education.
AI is like a HUGEEEE hot-button topic right now, and I think this book is a great way to open the door to the concept of AI technology to young kids. It’s fun and light-hearted.Definitely a cute read!🖨�
0/5🌶�
📄”The way your life plays out depends on which dominoes you choose to push over and which ones you leave alone.”�
🖨� I thought this book was so fun! I didn’t realize how prevalent it would be too! A group of four 5th graders uses a machine to do their homework for them, but it honestly opens up a conversation about the presence of AI in society and what role it could/should have in our education.
AI is like a HUGEEEE hot-button topic right now, and I think this book is a great way to open the door to the concept of AI technology to young kids. It’s fun and light-hearted.Definitely a cute read!🖨�
March 26, 2018
I read this to my son and he loved it. Dan Gutman is one of his favourite authors. The only thing I did not like in this book was the fact that a girl in grade 5 getting her bellybutton pierced. It works out in the end, but that was just not right. There is a reason there is an age requirement for that type of piercing and this is too young. Other than that, my son thought it was a great book and that's what matters to me.
December 25, 2023
I read this book because Zild named his debut album after it (he also admitted that the book's one of his favorites when he was young). I like how different perspectives are used to show the thought processes and character development of the kids; some lines are pretty funny too.
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December 23, 2020I remember reading this 4th or 5th grade and liking it only because there was an explicitly Asian character.
July 26, 2022
Cute story fir 5th graders who hate homework!
June 6, 2023
Read this as I research novel studies for my class.
February 27, 2025
School story; friendships
March 31, 2017
This book is about 4 kids named Brenton, Sam, Judy, and Kelsey. Brenton builds a homework machine and soon the other 3 kids find out about it. Brenton and Judy are really smart and they do not need the machine. Sam and Kelsey on the other hand really need the machine. The 4 kids become better friends and try to keep their homework machine from everyone else.
This is a good book and I would recommend it to anyone.
This is a good book and I would recommend it to anyone.
August 22, 2019
It was great. The ending is hilarious. You should read it!
January 9, 2021
It was an amazing book that teaches a lesson. I read it quickly.
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