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32 pp.
| Black Rabbit
| August, 2017
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-68072-134-8$31.35
|
EbookISBN 978-1-68072-194-2
(4)
K-3
Bolt: Gearhead Garage series.
Action-packed color photographs, diagrams, and charts are the focus of these minimal-text introductions to different engine-powered racing vehicles. Each book consists of four brief chapters discussing topics such as the vehicle's history, external features, statistics, race venues, safety gear, and projections about the vehicle's future. Oddly, little information is provided about interior features or how the vehicles run. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Bolt: Gearhead Garage titles: Dirt Bikes, Funny Cars, Lowriders, Muscle Cars, Top Fuel Dragsters, and Hydroplanes.
484 pp.
| Little
| November, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-316-40515-7$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-316-40514-0
(3)
YA
This fast-paced alt-history thriller is just as exciting as its predecessor (Wolf by Wolf). Skin-shifter Yael is on the run after a botched original mission to kill Hitler. This time, she's accompanied by fellow motorcycle racer (and budding love interest) Luka Löwe and by Felix Wolfe, brother to Adele Wolfe, whom Yael previously impersonated. Graudin's breathless, agile prose complements the addictive story arc.
388 pp.
| Little
| October, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-316-40512-6$18.00
(3)
YA
In this alternative-history/sci-fi thriller, the Axis powers won World War II. It is 1956, and seventeen-year-old skin-shifting resistance fighter Yael is assigned to kill Hitler. To do so, she must win a cross-continental motorcycle race to gain a rare one-on-one encounter. A complicated plot threatens to overtake this exciting novel, but strong writing and an appealingly multi-layered heroine keep it on track.
(3)
YA
In a dying world, Adam seeks to escape his desert hometown. His chance: a brutal, revenge-fueled motorcycle race; the prize is a one-way ticket to the luxurious off-world Sky-Base. Adam hesitates to leave his love, Sadie, behind, however. Hofmeyr's debut is an exciting dystopia with an intriguing premise (motorcycles that connect with rider's brains) and a gritty Mad Max vibe.
32 pp.
| ABDO
| January, 2015
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-62403-615-6$18.95
(3)
4-6
SportsZone: Speed Machines series.
Fast-action photos drive these short introductions to powerful vehicles that are now an integral part of our recreation and transportation technology. With matter-of-fact, very brief narratives, the books summarize how these machines were developed, what their components are, and how they run. "Fast fact" sidebars supplement the main texts. There are five other spring 2015 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following SportsZone: Speed Machines titles: Jets, Speedboats, and Superbikes.
48 pp.
| Enslow/Speeding Star
| September, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-62285-085-3$13.95
(4)
4-6
Fast Wheels! series.
These books profile specific types of high-speed vehicles. The leveled texts should appeal to reluctant readers, who will be drawn to the topic and the (small-size) photos. The books are a combination of description and history, with emphasis on special features and anecdotes. "Smokin' Facts" pages highlight unusual stats, notable individuals, and oddities. The random organization of information, however, is unfortunate. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fast Wheels! titles: Smokin' Open Wheel Race Cars, Smokin' Dragsters and Funny Cars, Smokin' Race Cars, Smokin' Motorcycles, Smokin' Muscle Cars, and Smokin' Sports Cars.
32 pp.
| Sea to Sea
| March, 2012
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59771-326-9$28.50
(4)
4-6
Fast Facts series.
These high-interest volumes provide quick introductions to their topics. Bikes and Cars highlight variety; Roller Coasters discusses the different types and the physics involved. Robots surveys robots from industry and the military, as well as robots in the home. The busy design features compelling photographs and text boxes with additional facts and records. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fast Facts titles: Hot Bikes, Custom Cars, Roller Coasters, and Robot World.
32 pp.
| Arcturus
| August, 2012
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-84858-563-8$28.50
(4)
K-3
Mean Machines series.
Each book in this series is made up of rather disorganized double-page spreads highlighting examples of cutting-edge vehicles. Aside from the "Super Stats" sidebars, which showcase unusual features, the very minimal texts merely identify each machine's primary purpose and appearance. Dramatic color photos of the exotic vehicles in action have the most appeal. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Mean Machine titles: Superbikes, Supercars, Superplanes, Supertrucks.
24 pp.
| Gareth
| March, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4339-4703-2$22.60
(4)
K-3
Fast Lane: Drag Racing series.
These exclamation point–heavy texts give readers an inside look at the sport of drag racing. Types of dragsters, their performances, and safety measures employed by racers are all discussed. Concepts such as horsepower, elapsed time, traction, roll cage, and fuel types are superficially included. Vivid photographs and "Fast Fact" sidebars add interest for reluctant readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fast Lane: Drag Racing titles: Funny Car Dragsters, Pro Stock Dragsters, Pro Stock Motorcycle Dragsters, and Top Fuel Dragsters.
48 pp.
| Enslow
| April, 2010
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3483-9$23.93
(4)
4-6
Kid Racers series.
These books discuss "extreme sports," some of which have participants as young as four years old. Authors describe the activities as well as how kids can get started and then train to be safe while enjoying their chosen sport's thrills. The texts, aimed at reluctant readers, sometimes strain for coolness. Action photos, diagrams, and drawings round out the volumes. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Kid Racers titles: Speedboat Racers, Dirt Bike Racers, BMX Racers, Kart Racers, and Snowmobile Racers.
167 pp.
| Norwood
| August, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59953-215-8$25.27 New ed. (1983, Little)
(4)
4-6
New Matt Christopher Sports Library series.
Bullying, self-doubt, and family problems are common themes in these popular, formulaic sports-centered titles. Characters include foster kid Peter, a dirt biker; basketball player Mel, a victim of racial prejudice; and football-playing twins Michael and Tom, who may be telepathic. The heroes, not always winners on the field, inevitably conquer their inner foes. These editions are sturdily bound and feature large type. Review covers these New Matt Christopher Sports Library titles: The Basket Counts, The Comeback Challenge, Dirt Bike Runaway, The Great Quarterback Switch, The Hockey Machine, and Return of the Home Run Kid.
32 pp.
| Heinemann
| April, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4329-1650-3$29.29 New ed. (2003)
(4)
4-6
Designed for Success series.
Each revised and updated book discusses a specific type of vehicle, focusing on design features that may help it, for example, go faster or better withstand enemy attack. The design is busy, with text boxes surrounded by average-quality photographs, captions, and diagrams highlighting mechanics or specialty parts and materials. The high-octane content and exciting photos may attract reluctant readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Designed for Success titles: Attack Fighters, Military Vehicles, Off-Road Vehicles, Race Cars, Sports Cars, Superbikes, and Superboats.
48 pp.
| Enslow
| October, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-2874-6$23.93
(3)
4-6
Wild Wheels! series.
Muscle covers American mass-produced automobiles designed for speed; Sports looks at several popular European sports cars; and Motorcycles discusses the history, types, and capabilities of specially designed racing and cruising vehicles. Auto enthusiasts will appreciate the many photographs and the boxed text inserts with additional information. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Wild Wheels! titles: Hottest Motorcycles, Hottest Muscle Cars, and Hottest Sports Cars.
32 pp.
| Lerner
| August, 2006
|
LibraryISBN 0-8225-6010-0$22.60
(3)
K-3
Pull Ahead Books series.
Cranes and Concrete Mixers are sure to be popular with young construction fans. Full of detail, they explain how these large vehicles operate, using plenty of close-up photographs as well as diagrams of the vehicles' parts. Racing fans will be equally satisfied with Supercross, which introduces this indoor variant of motocross. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pull Ahead Books titles: Concrete Mixers, Cranes, and Supercross Motorcycles.
32 pp.
| Heinemann
| July, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 1-40340-773-8$$24.22
(4)
4-6
Designed for Success series.
Each of these books discusses a specific type of vehicle, focusing on design features that may help it, for example, to go faster or better withstand enemy attack. Text boxes are surrounded by average-quality color photos, boxed captions, and diagrams highlighting mechanics or specialty parts and materials. Despite the busy layout, the content and many photos of well-known models will attract readers. Further reading, statistics. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Designed for Success titles: Attack Fighters, Military Vehicles, Off-Road Vehicles, Race Cars, Sports Cars, Superbikes, and Superboats.]
(4)
4-6
Radical Sports series.
The overviews in this series cover the basics of these sports. Topics include the history of the sport; description of the clothes, equipment, and apparatus; beginner skills; caring for your gear and equipment; staying fit and healthy; and a few stars of the sport. The color photos and illustrations are helpful, but some are awkwardly labeled. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Radical Sports titles: BMX, Motocross, Skateboarding, Caving, Skiing, and Karting.]
32 pp.
| Creative/Smart Apple
| November, 2002
|
LibraryISBN 1-58340-164-4$$24.25
(4)
4-6
World of Sports series.
Covering the history, equipment, venues, strategies, professional stars, and future of golf or motocross, these two series books are dominated by large, sharp color and black-and-white photos. The text is informative but meandering, and the page design is rather busy. The books will be most appreciated by those familiar with the particular sport. Words printed in bold in the text are defined on each page. Ind. [Review covers these World of Sports titles: Golf and Motocross.]
32 pp.
| Chelsea
| August, 2002
|
LibraryISBN 0-7910-7001-8$$17.95
(4)
4-6
Action Sports series.
The books in this series dutifully if blandly describe the skills, equipment, and safety measures required for each featured sport and introduce various activities often performed in competition. The somewhat crowded layouts contain dramatic color photos, and each volume includes a page of "Related Action Sports" and a brief list of famous international champions of the featured sport. Timeline. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Action Sports titles: BMX Riding, Formula One Car Racing, In-line Skating, Motorcycle Grand Prix Racing, Skateboarding, and Snowboarding.]
(4)
4-6
Need for Speed series.
Each busy double-page spread features color photographs of a different vehicle (for instance, Aircraft showcases the F-117 Nighthawk, the Concorde, and the space shuttle, among others) and a minimal descriptive text. A boxed "stat file" contains facts on speed, size, and other details. Speed demons will enjoy the books, though the photos sometimes lack clarity. Glos., ind.