Second in a series involving the world’s worst time machine, but one doesn’t really need to read the first as it summarizes a little of what happened. Overall though, two kids, Elsa and Liam traveled back to the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair to find a way to get Elsa’s grandfather back who disappeared in the first novel. This is a fun, exciting adventure as the two discover not only what the fair was like but have to deal with other time travelers. A great middle grade book that also has historical figures and facts in it making not only a fun adventure but one learns about too. ( )

World's Worst Time Machine is a frantic story filled with middle school troubles, organized crime, time travel, and space time disaster. Liam and his friends try to correct the problems he has caused by meddling in time. Ties to real historical figures add an interesting dimension to this fast-paced middle grade story. Everyday issues like bullying and family are juxtaposed with the intervention of mobsters and time rifts.
The book is a fun read but has a bit too much thrown in at times, everything and the kitchen sink type of vibe. The characters lack a certain depth so while it is an entertaining, distracting read, it doesn't engage much deeper than that. ( )

My 9 year old daughter is a voracious reader and enjoyed the choose-your-own-adventure style Escape From a Video Game books by this author, so I thought she'd enjoy this book. Unfortunately, she did not. She didn't relate to the main character and lost interest in the plot once it became centered on gangsters and bullies. The plot was also confusing and muddled. She didn't finish the book (which is unusual for her). The time machine concept is fun, but the plot, protagonist, and writing style just didn't excite my kids. It's not a bad book, just not our cup of tea. ( )

I received a free advanced copy of this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers giveaway in exchange for an honest review. This is a funny scifi/adventure/historical fiction mashup. Fans of Brady’s other series Trapped in a Video Game or fans of books like the Middle School the Worst Years of My Life series or Last Kids on Earth, will enjoy this book. The story follows Liam as he buys the world’s worst time machine from the garage sale of a quirky scientist in his neighborhood. Once he powers it up, his parents go missing and a different Thomas Edison who turns out to be a gangster in training from the 1930s shows up. He gets help to try and put everything right again from his friend Elsa who seems to know a lot more about fixing time machines then Liam would have ever guessed. Quick, fun read. ( )

This clever book was given glowing reviews by my ten-year-old son, who is a voracious reader and requested more of this series. The plot keeps readers engaged with its flip-flopped premise and humor, including a Cheetos-munching time-traveler stuck in the wrong era. ( )