Motorhead
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-- School Library Journal, 2/13/2008 10:14:00 AM
With NASCAR topping entertainment charts, there is renewed interest in automobile racing in all its formats. From dusty rough-and-tumble stock cars to elite Formula One masterpieces, these books cover all the bases. Work these fiction titles into a display of nonfiction automobile books and you may snare a few reluctant readers along with the motorheads.
ESCKILSEN, Erik. The Outside Groove. Houghton. 2006. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-618-66854-0.
Gr 8-11–Stock car racing isn’t for girls? Says who? Seventeen-year-old Casey is sure that if her brother can be a star driver, she can, too. When a sympathetic uncle sets her up with a car of her own, Casey gets a quick education in track politics, as well as the skills and nerve necessary to succeed in the sport. Fast paced and filled with insights on sibling and family dynamics.
HAMPSHIRE, Anthony. Fast Track. Fitzhenry & Whiteside. 2006. pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-1-55041-570-4.
Gr 6-10–The first installment in Hampshire’s four-book “Redline Racing” series has an authentic, first-person storytelling style that will draw in readers. Small in size and easily digestible, each book in the series focuses on Formula One racing and contains a short glossary. A great choice for boys who love cars, but think they hate reading.
STRASSER, Todd. Slide or Die. illus. by Craig Phillips. S & S/Pulse. 2006. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-0581-3.
Gr 9 Up–Las Vegas is full of hot cars and has an even hotter racing scene. Kennin, 17, and new friend Tito get in too deep, and Kennin ends up with rivals who will do anything to keep him from winning–on the road, or with Tito’s sister, Angelita, the coolest and prettiest grease rat on the strip.
WALTERS, Eric. Overdrive. Orca. 2004. pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-1-55143-318-9.
Gr 8-11–Jake is a new driver and has convinced his older brother to lend him his car for the night. When he and his friend Mickey challenge another driver to a race, they set off a chain of events that causes a disastrous accident, and they leave the scene. A schoolmate ends up in the hospital and, with the encouragement of a friend, Jake finally decides to tell the truth about his involvement.
Remarkable Reads are produced by the editors of NoveList, NoveList K-8, and Book Index with Reviews (
