The Great Interactive Dream Machine [Paperback]

Richard Peck (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Josh Lewis's best friend, Aaron Zimmer, has turned his computer into a wish-granting machine. Unfortunately, there are a few bugs in the system. Nobody knows when the computer will interactivate next! When a mysterious spy called The Watcher starts monitoring the boys' every move in cyberspace, the trouble begins.... "Humor, fantasy, science fiction, and mystery all cleverly combine to make this book guaranteed fun."-- School Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When New York City prep-schooler Josh meddles with his best friend Aaron's computer project, a dinosaur presentation becomes a wish-granting program. The boys, first seen in Peck's Lost in Cyberspace, tap into the wishes of those around them: Josh's airhead sister wants to go to the Hamptons, a grumpy old spinster wants to go back in time, and the shih tzu downstairs just wants to go out. Josh and Aaron's wish, to be bigger and stronger than the class bully, yields wildly funny results. Individual episodes will provoke laughter and even thought, but a predictable plot involving a threatening cyber-spy fails to provide dramatic tension. Aaron's technical jargon sheds no light on the logic of the "dream machine" and his lengthy discourses may bore some readers: "Josh," he says, "the past, the present and the future are a multiple program running concurrently, with peripherals." Although the sentimental conclusion carries little emotional weight, the story's fast pace and clever one-liners make it an enjoyable light read for science fiction fans. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6?The continuing adventures through time, space, and middle school of Josh Lewis and Aaron Zimmer, first introduced in Lost in Cyberspace (Dial, 1995). Techno-nerd Aaron has found a formula that allows cyberspace travel through cellular reorganization. Unfortunately, there are bugs in the program that turn the computer into an uncontrollable wish-granting time-travel machine. The boys shun soccer camp, instead attending summer school for history at their exclusive New York City private school. Their study of World War II has surprising results for their 80-year-old lonesome neighbor, Miss Mathers. Humor, fantasy, science fiction, and even a touch of mystery all cleverly combine to make this book a guaranteed fun, fast-paced adventure.?Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014038264X
• ISBN-13: 978-0140382648
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,891,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Richard Peck has written over twenty novels, and in the process has become one of America's most highly respected writers for young adults. A versatile writer, he is beloved by middle graders as well as young adults for his mysteries and coming-of-age novels. He now lives in New York City. In addition to writing, he spends a great deal of time traveling around the country attending speaking engagements at conferences, schools and libraries...Mr. Peck has won a number of major awards for the body of his work, including the Margaret A. Edwards Award from School Library Journal, the National Council of Teachers of English/ALAN Award, and the 1991 Medallion from the University of Southern Mississippi. Virtually every publication and association in the field of children s literature has recommended his books, including Mystery Writers of America which twice gave him their Edgar Allan Poe Award. Dial Books for Young Readers is honored to welcome Richard Peck to its list with Lost in Cyberspace and its sequel The Great Interactive Dream Machine...

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Great Interactive Dream Machine, January 17, 2001

By 

Wendy Piha "Peterpan's "mom"" (Naperville, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Great Interactive Dream Machine (Paperback)

Weliked this book! We rated it 5 stars because it had a lot of exciting parts where Josh and Aaron got mixed up in this formula... and they changed places and sizes during the computer malfunctions. If you like action and you enjoy computers then this book will really keep your attention. We can't wait to see what happens to the friends next! We hope Richard Peck writes another book with the same characters and problems. ~ T.J.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Adventure, April 9, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Great Interactive Dream Machine (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (School & Library Binding)

At first I did not like this book at all. I thought that it was very boring in the beginning of the book. As it went on, Aaron and Josh had a lot more adventures that were exciting. Towards the end of the book, I couldn't put it down. If you like action and you are interested in computers, I strongly recommend this book. I thought that it was very exciting for a little kid to be able to transport a person from one place to another. I think that it is weird for a kid that is a genius to have a best friend that is not smart at all. At the end of this book, the author led it right to a sequel. I would probably recommend this book to 5th or 6th graders. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Trys to Hard, May 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Great Interactive Dream Machine (Paperback)

The book is good and provides a good story for a rainy day. The thought being able to transport yourself to another place and time with a computer formula and a little willpower, is an intriguing idea. The book is slow to start and the climax of the book takes a while to get to and then it's all over in a couple chapters. All in all, it's not a bad book