Drag Racing

Book by Smith, Jay H.

Grade 4-8. Three in a series designed to attract those who revel in the rumble of Funny Cars waiting at the "Christmas Tree" (lights at the starting line that indicate the beginning of a race), who thrill to the thunder of mud racers ripping into the bog, and who yearn for the yowl of motocrossers "Banzai-ing" (a method used to skim across bumps) over the "whoop-de-doos" (a series of high bumps). Crammed with full-color photos and neon-toned graphics, with segments of text boldly backed with bright color, these books are clearly loaded with visual enticements for those who would rather do than read. Savage's writing style ranges from lively to competent sports-page reportage, and the information provided and quotes quoted are exactly what novices to both the sport featured and to reading for pleasure are likely to enjoy. However, the glaring visual bombardment is distracting, and some youngsters, struggling to pull the text from a sea of pink and purple, or to decipher a lime-green caption on a fuschia background, may just flip out in frustration, grab the remote, and flick on TNN or ESPN for some visual relief.?Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.