Devil's Race (Trophy Chapter Book: Chiller) [Paperback]

Avi (Author)

Book Description

Series: Trophy Chapter Book: Chiller | Publication Date: May 18, 1995

‘Sixteen-year-old John Proud discovers his family's dark secret'in 1854 an ancestral namesake confessed to being a demon. Now John finds himself battling his ancestor who is trying to use John for an evil purpose. Mounting suspense plus the sure draw of occult horror will keep readers turning the pages.' 'BL.

1985 Recommended Books for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (ALA) 2001 ALA Popular Paperback for YAs

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ask Avi how you know when you're a real writer and his answer is simple: "I think you become a writer when you stop writing for yourself or your teachers and start thinking about readers." Avi made up his mind to do that when he was just a senior in high school.

Avi was born in 1937 in New York City and was raised in Brooklyn. Kids often ask him about his name. "My twin sister gave it to me when we were both about a year old. And it stuck." To this day, Avi is the only name the author uses.

As a kid, Avi says, he was "shy, not into sports, but someone who loved to read and play games of imagination." He did not consider himself a good student, though. "In elementary school I did well in science, but I was a poor writer. When I got to high school I failed all my courses. Then my folks put me in a small school that emphasized reading and writing." What made him want to become a writer? "Since writing was important to my family, friends and school, it was important to me. I wanted to prove that I could write. But it took years before I had a book published."

Avi didn't start off as an author of children's books but as a playwright. It was only when he had children of his own that he started to write for young people.

When asked if writing is hard for him, Avi gives an unequivocal YES. "But," he goes on, "it's hard for everyone to write well. I have to rewrite over and over again, so on average it takes me a year to write a book." Where does he get his ideas? "Everybody has ideas. The vital question is: What do you do with them? My wife, a college teacher, uses her ideas to understand literature. My rock musician sons shape their ideas in to music. I take my ideas and turn them into stories."

Avi's advice for people who want to write: "I believe reading is the key to writing. the more you read, the better your writing can be." He adds, "Listen, and watch the world around you. Don't be satisfied with answers others give you. Don't assume that because everyone believes a thing, that it is right or wrong. Reason things out for yourself. Work to get answers on your own. Understand why you believe things. Finally, write what you honestly feel, then learn from the criticism that will always come your way."Avi's many award-winning books for young readers include the Newbery Honor Books Nothing But the Truth and The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, as well as more Tales from Dimwood Forest, including Poppy, winner of the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award, Poppy and Rye, and Ragweed. His many other books include tales of mystery, fantasy, and historical fiction for young readers of all ages.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (May 18, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064405869
• ISBN-13: 978-0064405867
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,770,103 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Avi has published more than sixty books. Among them is Crispin: The Cross of Lead, winner of the 2003 Newbery Medal. Other novels with nineteenth-century settings, like The Traitors' Gate -- his grand nod to the work of Charles Dickens -- are listed before the title page, and include the Newbery Honor Book, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Avi and his family live in Denver, Colorado.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Devil's Race, March 3, 2003

By 

"mattc92656078" (Wells NY USofA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Devil's Race (Trophy Chapter Book: Chiller) (Paperback)

This was a great book. It compelled me to push forward to the next pages and keep reading. It was filled with page turning suspense in a evil froth. i would reccomend it to any reader.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Devil's Race, October 7, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Devil's Race (Trophy Chapter Book: Chiller) (Paperback)

Devil's Race is a great horrer/mystery book by Avi. It's about a 16 year-old boy named John Proud. One day he went to his uncle, Dave's house.
It is a very good book. the first part is boring but it gets interesting.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A suspenseful mystery-- a thrilling tale., February 19, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Devil's Race (Trophy Chapter Book: Chiller) (Paperback)

Sixteen year old John Proud had a simple assignment to trace a family tree. John Proud wanted some help from some family members. He found out about an old family secret. John was getting to curious and he learned that you should never go to far if disaster starts. Who really owns John Proud's soul? Which John Proud could it be? To find out you must read this thrilling tale