Doom Machine (edition 2009)

Threw in the towel today on this one. I wanted to like it, since it is compared to the wonderful "The True Meaning of Smekday". But it was not in me. The plot meandered too much and was not interested in the characters. Perhaps it needed better editing. ( )

Set in the '50s, this zany book has a half-black daughter of a female scientist for one of the two main characters and a poor white boy with a dad with a criminal reputation who ran off on his family as the other. The story's a fun ride, but it really also addresses making assumptions from stereotypes, lacking critical thinking skills, and being too analytical, all through good dialogue amidst a satisfying adventure.

Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com

The year is 1956, and Jack is a good-natured, former juvenile delinquent who is great at fixing machines, particularly cars. One morning while out delivering papers, Jack notices a spaceship land in the woods.

When a group of spider-like aliens attack his house and try to steal one of his uncle's inventions, chaos ensues. In the process, Jack, his uncle, Bud, the sheriff, the sheriff 's son, a scientist stranded in town while traveling, and her daughter are taken along with Bud's machine.

The aliens have discovered that his uncle's machine is not a refrigerator but a dimensional field destabilizer, a device that can rip holes in space in order to venture wherever the traveler wants to go. With this device, the aliens hope to easily access Earth and destroy it.

Will Jack and his companions escape in time to stop the aliens from destroying Earth?

An action-packed science fiction adventure. The characters are entertaining and well-developed. The plot is gripping and fun to read. Readers who like aliens, science fiction, adventure, and apocalyptic stories will enjoy reading THE DOOM MACHINE. ( )

I didn't really enjoy this romp through space, although there was enough action to keep me reading to see how they would get back to "uurth" after getting kidnapped for knowledge about a machine able to create a hole in the space-time continuum. This book reminded me a bit of The True Meaning of Smekday (and I didn't like that one too much either). ( )

I got a copy of this book through the Amazon Vine program. After reading the synopsis I was hooked, this sounded like a fantastic book. It was a great read. Very amusing and would appeal to children and adults alike.

It's 1956 and Jack Creedle is a trouble maker, but he's a trouble maker who is really good at fixing cars and trying to hold his own paper route. One morning while delivering papers he sees a flying saucer land in the forest. Little does Jack know the Skreeps have returned and they are here to collect a special item. Ironically the special item is something that Jack's uncle Bud built and it just happens to be a time machine of sorts. If the Skreeps get there..uh..legs on it, it could mean the end of Earth. When Isadora and her mother get stranded in Vern Hollow they are sucked into the adventure with Jack and Bud. It is an adventure that will take all of the participants literally out of this world to Skreepia and beyond.

If you want to compare this book to something I would say think of it as a 1950's sit-com version of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy but suitable for all ages. This book is zany and crazy and full of intriguing characters. The characters are very interesting, the plot moves along at a great clip, and there is a lot of great humor. This is fun science fiction for kids (and adults) that has a bit of a pulp science fiction feel to it.

This book reminded me a lot of Philip Reeve's Larklight series too. It has that zany adventure through space feel to it. The book itself it very well put together and has some very nice sketches throughout that help readers to picture some of the more crazy creatures easier. This would be a great book to read to kids. The writing is easy to read and engaging. Teague does a great job creating a goofy but believable premise. The book wraps up nicely.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. I hope to see more books from Teague in the future. If you like Daniel Pinkwater, the Larklight series by Philip Reeve, or are looking for a kid-friendly version of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy this is the book for you. Everyone should check out this zany space adventure. ( )