Burtons Zoom Zoom VA Room Machine - Hardcover

Haas, Dorothy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 002738201X ISBN 13: 9780027382013

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 1990

Synopsis

Evil Professor Savvy tries to steal Burton's newest invention, a rocket-powered skateboard.

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Reviews

Grade 4-6-- Burton Bell Whitney Knockwurst is the oldest son of the unremittingly eccentric Knockwurst clan. Dad is a composer, Mom works in a think tank, sister Edisonia is working on inventing a harp-flute, and Little Brother Newton has a photographic memory. When the urge to invent hits him, Burton is lost to the world, and his friends must guide him home to protect him from hazards. But this boy is some inventor: he has produced a dog-washing machine, a bed-making machine, and an orange juicer that runs from toaster heat. Now he is working on a super-speed rocket-powered skateboard. Unfortunately, he contacts Professor Savvy for help on aerodynamics, but Savvy turns out to be an inept industrial spy trying to steal the invention. Little Brother foils the professor and learns enough about aerodynamics to help Burton complete his invention. Humor throughout comes from the absurd behavior of the daffy Knockwursts (who are reminiscent of the family in You Can't Take It With You ) and from descriptions of the weird foods they eat. Haas' style is light, but it lacks the force of Burton's Va-Room machine, and the characters tend to be cartoonlike. Aside from the current popularity of skateboards, this unbelievable tale has little to recommend it. --Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Young inventor Burton Bell Whitney Knockwurst has already come up with an automatic dog washer and sundry other devices. "But now Burton was eleven, and it was time to get down to serious business." So Burton begins work, daydreaming in class and collecting material, and with the support of his friends Tish, Kevin and Jonathan, and the help of his surprisingly talented little brother, he fashions a Zoom Zoom Va-Rooom Machine--part rocket, part skateboard. All ends well after his friends foil the thieving Professor Savvy, and Burton finally scores points with his strict schoolteacher. Similar in tone to Disney's Flubber movies and the Alvin Fernard books, this antic novel will amuse middle-grade readers. Burton's wool-gathering ways and familiarity with matters scientific add depth to the story's frothy mix of adventure and family squabbling. Ages 10-13.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
• Publication date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 002738201X
• ISBN 13: 9780027382013
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 138