Books › The homework Machine
The homework Machine
176 pages
A fast-paced, multi-perspective caper about the thrilling highs and stressful lows of finding the ultimate shortcut.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like eavesdropping on the juiciest gossip in the middle school cafeteria. Told entirely through police-style interview transcripts, the narrative flies by at a brisk, addictive pace that will hook even the most reluctant readers. The atmosphere is highly conspiratorial, wrapping you in the giddy, mischievous thrill of getting away with the ultimate school hack, before slowly ratcheting up the tension as the characters realize they are in way over their heads. Each of the four main voices is distinct, funny, and deeply relatable, capturing the specific anxieties and social dynamics of fifth grade. It is a lighthearted but surprisingly thoughtful exploration of unlikely friendships, the heavy burden of expectations, and the inevitable stress of taking the easy way out.
- Mood
- playful
- energetic
- mildly suspenseful
- conspiratorial
- Tone
- humorous
- conversational
- mischievous
- lighthearted
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- unlikely friendships · the ethics of shortcuts · academic pressure · consequences of actions
- The writing
- Snappy and highly accessible, relying entirely on distinct, interview-style transcripts that give each character a unique, conversational voice.
- The arc
- Moves from the giddy thrill of a shared secret to mounting paranoia, culminating in a relieved, lesson-learned camaraderie.
- Who it's for
- Middle-grade readers who love school-based shenanigans, fast-paced mysteries, and reluctant readers who thrive on unconventional formats.
Content notes
- academic dishonesty
- mild peer pressure
About the book
Four fifth-grade students--a geek, a class clown, a teacher's pet, and a slacker--as well as their teacher and mothers, each relate events surrounding a computer programmed to complete homework assignments.
Description from Open Library.
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