The Whizbang Machine

Kirkus Review:

A mysterious typewriter and a family curse lead a girl and her grandfather on a trans-Atlantic search for answers in Vann’s (The Whizbang Machine, 2016) Young Adult novel.

Fifteen-year-old Elizabeth Wright Yale, who prefers typewriters to computers, is still mourning her father eight years after his death. The story opens with the return of her paternal grandfather, Jack, who’s avoided her and her mother since his son’s death. He brings stories from his years spent traveling the world, along with presents. One is a typewriter that burns Elizabeth’s fingers and prints strange messages that are specifically addressed to her. Elizabeth and Jack’s investigation into the typewriter’s mysterious powers, and their family’s connection to it, leads them first to the main branch of the New York Public Library, where they sneak in through the steam tunnels to avoid waiting for a delivery from the archives, and then to the Netherlands, where they learn that their typewriter is connected to a feud between two branches of the family that dates back to the late 19th century. The Yale branch, it turns out, has been suffering from a curse placed by their own relatives. This book, the first in a planned series, stops in the midst of Elizabeth’s battle against supernatural and human enemies.

The story has its unique elements, such as its use of a typewriter as a magical object. Logic often loses out to convoluted secret-keeping and grudge-holding as Jack and Elizabeth try to untangle the threads of their family mystery. An enthusiastic story of action, magic, and familial secrets.

Midwest Book Review:

"Supernatural machinery is nothing new to fantasy (many a young adult and preteen read have included magical equipment), but a talented typewriter is something different, which Elizabeth discovers when a gift from her grandfather spells out new powers in the form of secrets revealed.

One delightful aspect of this story line is the old-fashioned type sprinkled throughout the pages, which capture the typewriter's special font and clarify that the messages are coming from a machine.

Another is the fact that a family curse brings granddaughter and grandfather together on a problem-solving mission spiked with supernatural overtones. As Elizabeth narrates her family's heritage and her increasing involvement with the magic typewriter that will change lives and destinies, she thoroughly involves readers in the quest: "The machine sighed to sleep with the flip of the red off button. I drew in a deep breath, stuffed Jack’s last postcard in my front jean pocket and stood eerily still. Jack, I thought. After all this time, he would finally be standing inside my house. The place he used to treasure before the bomb went off in both of our lives. It didn’t seem like today would ever come."

Mystery and supernatural elements are paired with strong characterization, believable scenarios and motives, and a host of challenges that keep Elizabeth and Jack on their toes. Readers follow the clues along with the investigator duo and will enjoy an ever-quickening pace as the two race against time to solve a series of impossible problems, with the Royal typewriter pushing them to hone their sleuthing skills before it's too late.

The result is a beautifully written page-turner recommended for young adult readers: one that does an excellent job of building its plot and characters and surrounds them with a mystery spiced with the dilemma of a Royal curse that may prove undefeatable, if the two family members can't solve it once and for all: "I repeated the sinister words the vendor chanted, “One thousand and forty years the curse will remain until the rightful owner shall turn back the hands of time and correct a Royal mistake. The secret will eat away at those who come to play like a disease."

Two 5 Star Review from Readers' Favorite

The Whizbang Machine: The Whizbang Machine Series, Book 1 is a young adult mystery novel written by Danielle A. Vann. Fifteen-year-old Elizabeth Yale loves her typewriter, even if it's not as efficient and easy to use as a laptop or word processor. While she's no stranger to tech and loves her phone, there's a special connection that she feels to the clanging chatter and other little noises that the typewriter emits as she works, and the feel of the keys hitting her paper. She's reluctant to leave her typing incomplete when her mother calls and tells her to come downstairs, but it is Grandpa Jack who's coming to see them, after all. It's been eight long years since he left, almost immediately after the sudden death of her father, Jesse. Having her grandfather desert her so soon after the loss of her dad hurt deeply, and while she's thrilled to be seeing him again and still has the hundreds of postcards he sent her during his travels, there's just a touch of resentment and hurt lingering from his desertion when she needed him most. But when the door opens, and she sees him standing there looking at him, she can't help but rush into his arms.

The Whizbang Machine is an exciting and fast-paced novel that follows Elizabeth and her grandfather, Jack, as they follow the trail of clues relating to the strange typewriter which bears Elizabeth's initials on it. Along the way, they discover hidden documents, share in an amazing genealogical trip into their family's past, and travel to Leiden in the Netherlands. I found the descriptions of Leiden so compelling that I searched Google for images to go along with my reading. Vann's characters are well-defined and authentic, and I especially appreciated Elizabeth's resilience, imagination and courage as she teams with Grandpa Jack. The plot is superb, mingling history with mystery as the two persist in following their clues, despite the dangers they come up against. While this is a relatively lengthy work, I actually found that this book ended all too soon. The Whizbang Machine, Book 1 is most highly recommended. Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite 5-stars

The Whizbang Machine by Danielle A. Vann is an engrossing tale loosely based on the invention of the Royal typewriter. Although fiction, the story unfolds on basic foundations associated with the creation of one of the most famous typewriter factories in our history. Vann’s research on the subject is evident in her tightly woven story, and makes what I believe to be a fascinating novel for all ages. This reviewer sees the possibility of adding The Whizbang Machine to the list of young adult titles used in a classroom language arts curriculum. There is a multifaceted accumulation of research and writing topics within this novel that any public school teacher would embrace. I really enjoyed the story, and see it as a great book for reluctant readers.” Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

"The Whizbang Machine by Danielle A. Vann is an engrossing tale loosely based on the invention of the Royal typewriter. Although fiction, the story unfolds on basic foundations associated with the creation of one of the most famous typewriter factories in our history. Vann's research on the subject is evident in her tightly woven story, and makes what I believe to be a fascinating novel for all ages. This reviewer sees the possibility of adding The Whizbang Machine to the list of young adult titles used in a classroom language arts curriculum. There is a multi-faceted accumulation of research and writing topics within this novel that any public school teacher would embrace. I really enjoyed the story, and see it as a great book for reluctant readers." Reviewed By Lisa McCombs for Readers' Favorite

The Whizbang Machine fills your mind with excitement, suspense, sadness and joy. I enjoyed reading about all the adventures Elizabeth's life encountered. It's a book that keeps you on your toes of what will happen next. Not just Young Adults but Adults could enjoy reading this story bringing back memories of their childhood adventures. Reader and Author Barbra Sonnen-Hernandez

Danielle Vann has crafted an exciting, fast-paced novel for young adults. She kept me enthralled as I read “The Whizbang Machine”. Combine a rascally grandfather, a very curious teenager with a strange typewriter and the possibilities are almost endless. Together they have some strange adventures that lead from the US to the Netherlands. The story is “electrifying”. You will not believe the ending. Katherine Boyer, Retired Librarian and Book Reviewer

This wonderful story captured my attention and imagination throughout! It’s the riveting tale of a young girl who must simultaneously solve a mystery and also save her own and her mother’s life. Elizabeth Yale encounters the intriguing Whizbang machine and it soon takes her on an exciting journey with her grandfather Jack Yale. Reckless Jack takes Elizabeth down a treacherous path that can bring great harm but must be pursued in order to extinguish a dangerous curse.

The Whizbang Machine is a well-written thriller with excellent description. It’s also one of those books where you’re educated as well as entertained. I enjoyed learning more about the Netherlands and the underground vault of a huge library. And the connection with previous generations of Elizabeth’s family really drew me in. Ms. Vann really knocked it out of the park! I definitely appreciate how she included bonus information about the conception and writing of Whizbang.

I highly recommend this fun and exciting adventure!

Author Susan P. Clark

Back Cover Reviews:

“Danielle uses her incredible gift to the fullest. I am grateful she shares her gift with you as she helped me share mine.” Brandon Russell, Celebrity Carpenter, Personality, and Author

“Danielle Vann has crafted an exciting, fast-paced novel for young adults. She kept me enthralled. The story is electrifying. You will not believe the ending.” Katherine Boyer, Retired Librarian, Board member of The North Texas Book Festival

“Danielle A. Vann is a brilliant and creative writer!” Lee Mooney, Educator

“This wonderful story captured my attention and imagination throughout. I highly recommend this fun and exciting adventure!” Author Susan P. Clark.

Nov 2016 – Sip & Sign, The Cellar on Main, Mansfield, Texas. Author Danielle A. Vann to sign copies of all three books

Sept 2016 – Mansfield Public Library Story hour for Ranger & Keys.

Sept 17th – Appearance: Guest Lecturer and private book signing at The Mansfield Book Festival, Mansfield, TX

May 14th – Author Appearance at Book Con, Chicago IL

May 11-13th – Author Appearance at Book Expo America, Chicago, IL