Families who loved Danny Dunn and the Homework Machine by Jay Williams often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child starts complaining about the 'pointlessness' of schoolwork or is looking for a shortcut to finish their chores. Danny Dunn and the Homework Machine is a classic retro sci-fi adventure that explores the ethics of technology and the value of personal effort. When Danny and his friends program a computer to solve their math problems, they discover that 'saving time' actually requires a great deal of intellectual labor, logic, and planning. It is a charming, humorous look at intellectual honesty and the unexpected joy of mastery. Ideal for children ages 8 to 12, this story helps frame the conversation around why we do hard things and the importance of understanding the 'how' behind the 'answer.'
