World's Worst Time Machine

This was just so cute. I love the cover. Who would not want a time machine? Well maybe not after you see what this one does. I read this in one sitting. I just did not want to put it down. The story was fun and heartwarming. The narrator was great. Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Audio for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This is a zany little book about Liam who picks up a poorly made time machine at a rummage sale from an eccentric. When he takes it home and gets it to working he doesn't listen to his friend Elsa who tells him not too do it and in thinking he is getting Thomas Edison the inventor, he gets Thomas Edison aka Tommy Tinkles a not so nice kid who wants to be a gangster and has stolen something from some gangsters.

The horrible time machine then sucks up his parents when they come to check things out and instead of Liam and Elsa getting them back they end up with the gangsters who are after Tommy and a lot of chaos ensues. :)

This was fun though I felt bad for Elsa because nobody would listen to her and I think she is quite smart and could have saved them some trouble...lol.

World’s Worst Time Machine by Dustin Brady is a thrilling, adventurous, and imaginative ride. Even though it is a Middle-Grade book, even adult readers would enjoy this book.
This book is just perfect for the targeted readers. The thrilling pacing and interesting vocabulary make this story even more fun. I love the characters; they are easy to relate to and hard to forget.

The author breaks stereotypes with Elsa’s character. She plays an important role and can be a role model for kids. This book would encourage children to read more, explore science and take a keen interest in STEM subjects.
I listened to an audiobook narrated by Kirby Heyborne. Even though it was high on energy, in some places, the voice modulation felt forced and jarring to the ears. I would have enjoyed this book more if it wasn’t an audiobook.

Filled with twists and turns, World’s Worst Time Machine is an entertaining read. Children are sure to enjoy this adventure.


Thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Audio for the ALC of this book. My review is honest and voluntary.

Liam the MC is a very scattered brained boy a definetly needed the help from Elsa the very focused girl, Tommy is an interesting character for sure that brings a very fun twist to the Time Machine concept.
It's a very fun children's book. Thoroughly enjoyed the narration and the narrated sounds.
The story kicks off due to Liam being unable to follow instructions but it's interesting to listen to his growth and development as a character.
It's not a deep story, it's just a fun tale to pass the time

Thanks NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me to share this novel with my son. He gives us five stars, and it’s based on, “great characters, awesome and funny names, the Time Machine itself, AND that it left you wondering, ‘was it all a dream? Will it continue??’”

Mom loves it because it kept him thoroughly entertained, the narrator did a great job with all the different voices and sound effects and because he immediately went to the library to see if there was a second book in the series! (Anything to get a kid in the library, right?!)

We will definitely be looking for more from this author

3.5⭐️

<i> 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… </i>

World’s Worst Time Machine is a clever concept that definitely reads like a middle-grade book, complete with lots (LOTS) of verbalized sound effects. (If I hear “Bing Bing BING!” one more time…)

I think it could be highly entertaining for someone in the target age group, but unlike some other middle grade fiction, this one didn’t seem to crossover into enjoyable reading for adults. At least, not this adult. But take that with a grain of salt, as it’s definitely good clean fun for young readers.

Kirby Heyborne provided an energetic narration for the audiobook.

Thank you Dustin Brady, Andrews McMeel Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

I was granted the opportunity to review this audiobook by netgalley.com.
We start off with Liam, a middle school boy who has the art of racing to the bus down to a measured science. He doesn't like to read or follow instructions, and somehow ends up with the World's Worst Time Machine in his hands.

There are many adventures to be had in this story involving gangsters, cheetos, and far too many tesla references.

To be honest, Liam is a bit insufferable at the beginning and his highly competent friend Elsa, ever the voice of reason, is barely listened to, and he can't be bothered to read. There is character growth to be had and a super fun performance full of onomatopoeias by narrator Kirby Heyborne.

While I realize that in storytelling there needs to be growth opportunities for the main characters, but I kinda wish we could, uhhhh normalize listening to competent women from the get go, instead of not listening to common sense at all and just plugging forward and having that seem be the reason why the plot is set into motion. It feels lazy.

All in all, it's a decently fun listen intended for children.