  | Drive Author: Copeland, Cynthia L. | |
| Price: $19.58 | ||
Summary:
Tells the hidden history of the first female racecar driver to race in the Indy 500 and follows a spunky twelve-year-old mechanic discovering that history while restoring a vintage Jaguar. In graphic novel format.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (12/01/24)
School Library Journal (00/01/25)
Booklist (01/01/25)
The Hornbook (00/03/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 01/01/2025 Alex is obsessed with classic cars, so after she and her dad move to her late grandfather’s house in remote New Hampshire and she discovers a vintage 1956 Jaguar in the garage, she enthusiastically sets out to restore it. Her dad doesn’t understand her interest in the car, instead expecting her to help with the housework and cleaning so he can write his novel, but she finds an ally in a helpful librarian, who finds creative ways to help Alex at every turn. Interwoven with Alex’s story is a biographical account of Janet Guthrie, the first woman to compete in a NASCAR race. Janet’s story details her progress in racing as well as the routine sexism she experienced as a very talented, but under-resourced, race car driver. Janet’s struggles nicely parallel Alex’s often frustrating path into the world of vintage cars, and the two threads come together very satisfyingly in the end. Plenty of exciting race scenes and illustrations of classic cars will give this lots of appeal for middle-grade readers who are just as obsessed with cars as Alex. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.
