Category Archives: Read To Me Dad

Book, Photo-A-Day, Read To Me Dad

Review: World’s Worst Time Machine by Dustin Brady

World's Worst Time Machine
Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01559

We received a review copy of World’s Worst Time Machine by Dustin Brady. This book is going to be released on April 25th. I requested a copy of this book so that Andy could read it because getting Andy to read anything has been difficult. Dustin Brady is said to write books for kids who hate reading books. We’ve actually reviewed one of his books in the past called Trapped in a video Game. That was a whole series that he created and I think that World’s Worst Time Machine may potentially be a whole new series. At least that is what I gathered when I read through the whole book. It took Andy a very long time to read the book because of all the other things that they can be distracted by. However, today I got Andy to finally finish the book. Once the book was done Andy tells me that the book nearly made them cry at the end. It was the best ending ever they said. So I then read the book. It took me two days but it was a very quick read. I read the book all the way to the end including the after credits scene, which Andy did not read. I gave the book back to Andy and asked that they read it. Andy comes back to me and says that it nearly made him cry again. So, I think that by that fact alone it was a good read and kids will enjoy this book. It was funny engaging and something wildly different than other time travel themed books.

Here are some additional details on the book and about Dustin:

(February 1, 2023) Author Dustin Brady announces the release of his latest book, World's Worst Time Machine (April 28, 2023). The new book is a thrilling journey through time, packed with humor, adventure, and unexpected twists and turns.

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. 

World's Worst Time Machine is the newest series from best-selling children's author Dustin Brady. Using his signature style, Brady's laugh-out-loud sense of humor and daring adventure will keep even the most reluctant reader wanting to turn the page.

With its fast-paced plot and engaging characters, World's Worst Time Machine will surely be a hit with young readers and their families.
World's Worst Time Machine is available now in print and e-book format from all major online book retailers.

For more information on Dustin Brady and his latest book, please visit https://dustinbradybooks.com/

Book, Read To Me Dad, Review

Review: A Perfect Mistake by Melanie Conklin

A Perfect Mistake

I received and advanced copy of A Perfect Mistake by Melanie Conklin (Little Brown and Company) which goes on sale today. These are my honest opinions on the book.

I get pitches to check out books all the time. I read things from kids picture books to YA fantasy and Graphic Novels and everything in between. I got the pitch for A Perfect Mistake and reading the quick synopsis of the book made me very interested in reading it. The book deals with family ties, ADHD, toxic masculinity, responsibility and friendship. It was one of those books that when I began reading it I wanted to read the entire thing right away to get to the resolution of the mystery within the book.

We have our main character, Max, he’s 11 years old but has the height and size of a kid in high school. So a lot of responsibility and unfair expectations get put upon him because of that. Max is also dealing with ADHD, he is seeing a therapist and this is helping him come up with strategies to manage his experiences. The book is based upon the experiences of the author’s husband and son and is one of the most honest and authentic portrayals of ADHD that I’ve ever read. It was fascinating how the author described how Max processes the world around him.

So you have Max and when the story begins we get bits and pieces of an incident that happened with Max and his two friends Will and Joey. Will is in a coma and we do not know exactly why. Max may know but he cannot piece together exactly what happened. He’s crushed by the guilt of not knowing and also of his involvement or even responsibility for what happened to Will. Meanwhile, his friend Joey is no longer talking to him and his once tight band of brothers is fractured.

Along the way we meet Max’s family, his perfectionist mom, perfect older sister and his dad who is dealing with unemployment but not giving up on his creations and ideas. We also meet Sam, a girl from Max’s class. Is she a friend or does she hate Max for some reason. Then there is Max’s uncle Cal. Uncle Cal is the free spirited younger brother of Max’s mom. He rumbles into town in the Supervan which brings along its own set of issues and possibly some answers.

I loved the authentic relationships between the family members complete with old wounds and new revelations. Max is a very interesting character that I think will be very relatable to so many kids. It is a very well done middle grade book that makes many serious issues easily accessible for kids. It is for ages 8-12 and it is one that I want my son to read this Summer.

If you would like to pick up A Perfect Mistake from Amazon.com please consider using my affiliate link below. Thank you.