World's Worst Time Machine (Volume 1)

Liam Chapman just bought a real, working time machine for only $3! Sure, it’s labeled “World’s Worst Time Machine,” but how bad could it be? Turns out, it’s so much worse than Liam could have ever imagined.

“… fast-paced action, humor, and strong characters… Brady has written a great series starter that also has a nice sprinkling of history, a little science, and engaging, fun characters. Highly recommended.” — Jean Little Library

When Liam summons Thomas Edison to help him finish his book report, the time machine delivers the wrong one. This Thomas Edison is a 10-year-old aspiring gangster from 1933 who demands to be called “Tommy Twinkles” and is also very interested in robbing a bank of the future. Liam could use some help from his parents here, but unfortunately, the time machine has kidnapped them both. In desperation, he turns to his friend Elsa. To set things right, these two fifth graders must embark on an adventure full of sci-fi gadgets, real-life gangsters, time travel, and a whole lot of Cheetos.

With over two million books sold, author Dustin Brady has mastered the art of hooking kids on reading. Short chapters filled with heart-pounding adventure, hilarious twists, and unforgettable characters keep even the most reluctant readers invested to the last page. This new series adds real-life history to the formula, making it a fun, fresh way to learn.

Dustin Brady writes books for kids who think they hate reading. His Trapped in a Video Game series has sold over one million copies because—as it turns out—there are a lot of kids who think they hate reading. Dustin loves Tetris, pinball, trick shot videos, and many other silly pastimes that he calls “book research” even though they very much don’t seem like book research. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio with his wife, three kids, and a small dog named Nugget. Dustin honestly can’t believe he gets to do this for a living.

Dave Bardin is a freelance illustrator and animator residing in Southern California. When Dave drew his very first comic book at the age of nine, he knew he had found what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. As a freelance artist for the last nine years, Dave has had the opportunity to work on a variety of creative projects with some of the biggest names in media. These projects include comic books, video games, board games, animation, commercials, music videos, and television. When Dave isn’t at the drawing board, he can be found riding his bike down by the beach, going on random driving adventures with his very cool wife, and spending time with his friends and family.