What would you do if you accidentally acquired an intelligent machine that could print anything? (I’m thinking robot cleaner. Or an extra storey for the house, maybe a dozen extra bookcases…)
The Everything Machine
From Ally Kennen
Release Date: 2nd February 2017
Genre: MG
Publisher: Scholastic UK
Format: Paperback
Cover illustration Chris Jevons
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Eleven year old Olly has a very special delivery – a 3D printing machine, stamped with PROPERTY OF M.O.D and BRITISH SPACE AGENCY. WARNING. DO NOT TAMPER, which has magical powers… It has a name, it speaks, and it can print ANYTHING Olly asks it to – a never-ending supply of sweets, a swimming pool in the shed – but what Olly really wants is… his dad, who has separated from his mum and moved out of the family home. Cue the creation of Dad-Bot – he looks just like Dad (on a good day) but is totally chaotic – and his antics tip Olly and co into a heart-racing and heart-warming adventure!
The Everything Machine is a great example of middle grade fiction – a romping yarn that draws in newly independent readers. Or passing parents for that matter – I started reading it so that I could talk about it and entice in the aforementioned newly independent reader 7 year old, and discovered I’d devoured three chapters and was desperate to know what happens next…
You have been warned. It’s a *very* readable book. I’m a particular fan of Bird, the 14 year old sister to our main character, who “knows how to fix the internet, debug computers, build crazy websites and put up firewalls. She’s got this very cool sideways haircut and seems to know about everything before it happens.” Definitely my kind of teen. (Also, cool sideways haircut? Would that suit me?) All the characters are well drawn, even the machine itself – a huffy printer sounds about spot on for the ones I’ve met day to day. Of course, there’s more to the story than the interactions between children and machine, but this is, as ever, a spoiler free review.
If you’d like to check out the Everything Machine for yourself, you’re in luck, because I’ve got three copies to giveaway – entry via the easy Rafflecoptr widget below. Mandatory entry is by comment, UK addresses only. What would you make with an Everything machine?
Don’t forget to check out the other blogs on the tour, and good luck!
Listed on the Prizefinder
I have an avid reader here that, I think, would enjoy this book.
Thanks for the review
Snow or sunshine on demand!
too read peoples minds x
happiness for all
Happy dreams
Good health
lots of money 🙂
Looks fantastic for my daughter. Thank you so much for such a great review x
I have an emerging reader that might find this right up her street. Thank you for offering the opportunity x
A house cleaning and dinner cooking machine. (Too much to ask?)
A house cleaning, toddler put to sleeper machine I think 😀 Thankyou for the review 😀
This would be fab to win!
A tidying and cleaning machine!
Thanks for the review!
A lovely big house in a sunny country
to see into the future x
to make a crystal ball to see into the future x
to make money
Some fine weather
Oh gosh, it has to be money! and maybe time if I could! And A HOLIDAY
Umm probably dresses!
I would def want it to be money!
Definitely sounds like a book my 9 year old will enjoy. Added to the wish list.
a robot capable of doing the housework every day! this is a lovely giveaway, thank you x
Gosh, what wouldn’t I make. First thing would be a teleporter!
A time machine!
Good health for every person and animal
Something that could instantly take away anxiety!
A happy everyday for all
A dust collector, especially with males in the house
a never ending supply of cupcakes
A money making machine x
Magic fairy dust to make you fly x
I’d turn everything to chocolate
Enough food for everyone on the planet
A time machine
Make chocolates lots of them.
I asked my son, he said a pokemon portal!! 😀
harmony
happiness machine
I’d totally make a nether portal type thing for real life. Instantaneous travel!
In the ‘Everything Machine’ I would love to make an endless supply of Salted Caramel, Honeycomb and Toffee Ice Cream!
i would make lovely dinners