Return of the Homework Machine By Dan Gutman

What if you never had to do your homework again? For four fifth graders at the Grand Canyon School, that dream becomes very real and very complicated.

Meet the D Squad: a geek, a class clown, a teacher’s pet, and a slacker. On paper, they have nothing in common. But they’re bound together by one enormous secret: a homework machine, code-named Belch, that’s quietly doing all their assignments for them.

At first, it feels like the perfect arrangement. The catch? Spending all that time together starts attracting attention. And attention is exactly what you don’t want when you’re hiding something this big.

Before long, things spin out of control. Belch grows far more powerful than the kids ever imagined, and suddenly they’re in a race against their own creation, with consequences that could land them in serious trouble.

Told through alternating perspectives, The Homework Machine is classic Dan Gutman: funny, fast-paced, and impossible to put down. It’s a story about friendship, choices, and what happens when shortcuts come back to bite you.

This one is a favorite among reluctant readers and bookworms alike. Perfect for ages 8 to 12, it pairs short chapters with a clever, suspenseful plot that keeps young readers turning pages, the kind of book that disappears into a backpack and gets read in one sitting.

A wonderful pick for the curious middle grader in your life. Stop by, browse a while, and let the salty sea air keep you company while you discover your next favorite read.

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