Electrifying Eco-Race Cars

April 1, 2011

Gr 3-6-Sharp, colorful photos and succinct texts provide brief but informative introductions to record-setting vehicles. Chapter spreads vary in length, but they adequately cover the topics. Captions add to the close-up photos, some of which cover the bottom half of spreads, while others occupy full pages; there are also smaller inset images. Each chapter opens with data on the type of car and its top speed, and includes other related information such as its horsepower, driver, and the location of the track where the record was set. The narratives, which are provided in framed chunks accompanied by one sidebar per spread, read smoothly. A closing "More..." page depicts, for example, a school bus doing a wheelie as well as an image of Shirley Muldowney, the first female Top Fuel dragster and first female champion (Drag Racers). This series deserves first consideration.

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2011
Sandler provides a brief overview of different types of vehicles from the racing world. Each book includes information about several styles of vehicles within the title category; some volumes also touch on history, statistical information, and principal personalities involved in the sport. The content-lite texts are greatly enhanced by bright, colorful photographs of futuristic-looking vehicles. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind.

(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)