Today I am sharing a new middle grades novel that is perfect for your reluctant readers and anyone who likes a bit of adventure. The book is a mix of sci fi and history and lots of humor. The book is World's Worst Time Machine by Dustin Brady. It is recommended for ages 7 through 11.
From the Publisher:
From best-selling author, Dustin Brady comes a new illustrated novel series perfect for fans who love funny, unexpected adventures and wacky plot twists.For kids, life can be boring, but Liam and Elsa know how to create their own fun—or so they think. After finding a $3 time machine at a garage sale, Liam uses the machine to summon Thomas Edison for help with his book report. It's not until the time machine sends a different Thomas Edison from the 1930s that chaos ensues.
World's Worst Time Machine is the newest series from best-selling children's book author, Dustin Brady. Using his signature style, Brady's laugh-out-loud sense of humor and daring adventure will keep even the most reluctant reader wanting to turn the page.
From Me:
This novel is fun. It involves fifth grade friends, a garage sale at a mad scientist's house and real-life gangsters from the 1930s. Throughout the story is humor and adventure. Liam stumbles into trouble and his friend Elsa has to help him get out of it. Liam seems to do everything that Elsa tells him not to do. Elsa seems to know how to use the time machine and how to fix the chaos the time machine creates. The story is fun and easy to read.
The book has illustrations which help keep the story going. The weirdness factor in this book is high. Time travel, mad scientist and all the weirdos that come out for such things--the alien watchers and such. They are all in this book and will have kids loving it. Then of course there are the gangsters that come from the 1930s. Some of the characters are real historical figures. At the back of the book there is information about the real lives of the gangsters as well as information about how gangsters were idolized for a time. Yes, there is a history lesson in this book too!
This book is perfect for middles grades. Both boys and girls will love it. It could be used in a class with discussion about the science fiction aspect of time travel as well as the history of the gangsters. The book has your typical middle grades characters--the smart girl, the always in trouble boy and the bully. I hope you will check it out.
