The Whizbang Machine Paperback – November 15, 2016

As someone who has lived in S. Holland and spent time in Leiden, it was a pleasure to read this book. Not only was the narrative spot on, but Vann is able to draw the reader in where you really feel you are walking the cobblestone streets in Leiden. Such a great adventure I had to remind myself this was a YA book. It is perfectly geared towards YA and written very well. However, adults will truly enjoy this book as well. I finished this one and immediately went to Book 2 Tunneys Curse. Well Done, Danielle Vann!

A good mystery with lots of interesting history. I enjoyed the relationship between Elizabeth and her grandfather Jack. The notes at the end tying together the historical facts with the fictional story was enlightening. A good summer read. Can't wait for the next book in the series. Peter Breyer

Such a fun read! This makes me want to go back and research my own family tree to see what secrets I might uncover! Can't wait to see how this story ends.

The books pages kept falling out.

About: The Whizbang Machine is a fiction novel written by Danielle A. Vann. This book was published on 11/15/16 by Waldorf Publishing, 384 pages. The genre is science fiction fantasy. This is book 1 to The Whizbang Machine Series. This book will be released by tomorrow, 11/20/16!The Author: Danielle A. Vann grew up in Oklahoma City, OK. Her love of writing sparked a career in journalism. She holds an Associated Press Award. Danielle is the author of Gracie Lou and the Bad Dream Eater and the Gracie Lou Series, The Very Tall Tale of Ranger, the Great Pyrenees, and his Adorable Friend, Miss Keys, The Whizbang Machine, and co-authored Building Faith Through A Carpenter’s Hands. She lives in Mansfield, TX with her husband and three children.My Experience: I started reading The Whizbang Machine on 11/13/16 and finished it on 11/19/16. I am delighted to have the opportunity to read and review this book. One thing stuck out from this book is the characters’ trip to the Nederland! I was only recently read my first Dutch children’s book and I’m now being introduced to another book with activities taking place in the Nederland. Imagine my surprise and happiness.In this book, readers will follow the point of view of a 15-year-old Elizabeth Yale. She lives with her mom and they have a good mother-daughter relationship. She’s a typical good girl who has never been out on her own and therefore, more child-like than other badass YA characters in other novels who grew up as an orphan and left to fend for themselves. Her grandfather, Jack Yale, is her dad’s father. She has a tight bond with her grandpa Jack as well. Jack came back from his trips overseas and brought Elizabeth a typewriter as a gift because she loves typing using a typewriter instead of a laptop. This machine turns out to be a hundred year old mystery to be solved. Elizabeth and Jack ended up taking an adventure to solve the mystery all over New York and the Nederland.“Mr. Yale, we are done here. Best of luck. Don’t get yourself hurt or worse while you are in my country. I would hate to be the one to call your loved ones in the states and tell them your stubbornness lead to your death.” p.296The chase to uncover the mystery is an interesting to read. I like Jack’s cleverness and despite being a 70-year-old, still tough and healthy for a wild goose chase. Elizabeth, despite being referred to as a baby by a bus driver, proved to be braver than her environment presents her to be. She’s up to the challenge with her grandpa when her curiosity gets the best of her. One part that I didn’t think add up was the key that goes with the doll. Why would it fit the tomb’s padlock easily? And typing on the typewriter, the spaces is irritating to read. Another genre should be added to this book is magic, because it will explains the mystery behind the typewriter or the woman with the necklace or the doll vendor’s gestures with his hands. I like that the mystery heats up toward the end.“I’m not going to sit around and wait for an officer to instruct me about how I should go about getting answers, Elizabeth. He also said we should trust no one, but him. That’s convenient, don’t you think?” p.305Pro: solving a puzzle: one clues lead to another, family tree, travel to the Nederland, grandfather-granddaughter duo, humorCon: some parts don’t add up, “my space name space is space” is super annoyingI rate it 4.5 stars!***Disclaimer: I received this book directly from Waldorf Publishing and my opinions are honest. Many thanks to the author & publisher for the opportunity to read and review.xoxo, Jasmine at [...]

I really loved this book!This story has suspense and intrigue and in my humble opinion is written by a master storyteller. The secret in this page turning story, is in the words that are snippets of power, irresistible courage, patience, and fortitude.It starts out in New York City with Elizabeth Wright Yale aka Lizzy and Laurel her mom.Her grandfather Jack is coming for a visit. He had left them eight years ago when his son, Laurel’s husband and Elizabeth’s dad, Jesse died. Jack couldn’t handle being alone with all the memories, as his wife was deceased too. He sold their bookstore that they had owned for over fifty years. He dropped off a few family heirlooms and their old grandfather clock at their house and left without saying goodbye. While Jack was gone he sent postcards from all over the world, “416 to be exact” from all the places he had been.Now he was coming back home.When Jack knocked on their door they were so happy to see each other. Grandpa Jack and Elizabeth have always been kindred spirits.The real reason Jack has come back, is unbeknownst to Elizabeth, and that is her mother has given permission for her to travel the summer with her grandpa. Exciting is the least of how Elizabeth would describe her feelings!Grandpa Jack also brought a few gifts for her and her mama. Relics he called them and her mother called them junk.Jack has Lizzy get this one certain box out of the stack of boxes they had carried into the house and this particular box has light radiating from it and when Lizzy is touching the box it gives her sensations that she isn’t quite sure she wants to open it. Jack had to beg her to open this one particular gift. She takes a unique case out of the box but to open the case Lizzy needs the last postcard grandpa Jack had sent her. When the case is opened things begin to happen. Magical, unbelievable, frightening, and staggering things began to happen to and around Elizabeth. As she started to run from Jack’s room, she saw the most elaborate vintage typewriter she had ever seen. Now you must know Elizabeth is passionate about old typewriters and would rather use one of those to the now modern laptops. This particular typewriter talks to them with whoosh, pop, whiz, sizzle, whoosh, whiz-bang noises! Can you say wowzers! It is a talking out-of-this-world supernatural relic typewriter! What is going on here?Why does Jack think this particular typewriter has ties to Elizabeth? Is it because it has her initials on the front, EWY? Or does grandpa Jack know something he isn’t telling? Before Jack and Elizabeth can get gone on their trip something significant happens to Jack.Jack tells Elizabeth to go into the attic and find an old photo album and as she is going into the attic the typewriter machine starts it’s whiz-banging noises again and giving out messages that are like a scrambled up word puzzle.I can only imagine what is going through Elizabeth’s mind as all this is going on and her imagination is running wild.Elizabeth’s mom has no idea what has been happening with the old typewriter machine and themselves. They do not believe she would understand but they eventually have to tell her. When they do explain the puzzle begins to unravel. Even Laurel has some pieces that fit in this secret puzzle.After Jack checks himself out of the hospital and returns to their home and he and Lizzy set on a journey that begins with research at The New York City Public Library.Do they ever get to go on that summer journey together?Does the whizbang machine ever finish it’s story?Run with leaping strides to the nearest bookstore and get this book!I would even say this story could be described as historical fiction. The facts about the history in the story make it even more imaginable.I, was given this book, by Netgalley.com for review purposes.