From School Library Journal
Grade 7-10–An entertaining look at the history and design of automobiles that will appeal to young teens looking forward to their first cars. The authors begin with the development of automobiles from the wheel through the internal-combustion engine before describing early U.S. automakers. A subsequent section discusses how cars work, with passages on their major mechanical systems. A section on design covers layout and styling; there is a chapter on quality-related issues, which presents examples of good and bad makes and models; and a chapter on ownership talks about financial issues, negotiating, and maintenance. The closing section covers the automotive future, with information on ecological issues, alternative fuels, hybrids, and fuel cells. Sidebars provide additional details and tips. The fast-paced text is generally readable, but there are a few instances of oversimplification or misstatement. Excellent graphics contribute to the text with illustrations of cars and their components. The
Car volume in the
Inside a… set (Grolier, 2001) is a similar, but more elementary book.
–Jeffrey A. French, Euclid Public Library, OH Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Gr. 7-10. With a red sports car on the cover, this large-format paperback has eye-appeal as well as a wealth of facts, opinions, and advice about cars. Edmonston, author of the Lemon-Aid car guides, and Sawa, president of the Canadian Association of Children's Librarians, are joint authors, which may account for the novel combination of car know-how, references to E. B. White and Harry Potter's uncle Vernon, and practical tips on evaluating Internet sources. Written in a lively style, the book provides solid information about topics such as the history of the automobile, the major systems of a car and how they work, elements of design, how to choose a good car, aspects of ownership, and the automobile's future. Sidebars introduce related topics from the development of the wheel to the health hazards of that "new car" smell. The many illustrations include colorful paintings, drawings, and photos as well as excellent diagrams of a car's working parts. A well-designed book for young people planning to buy a car or just dreaming of driving one.
Carolyn PhelanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
