Overdrive (Orca Soundings) [Paperback]

Eric Walters (Author)

Book Description

Series: Orca Soundings | Publication Date: March 1, 2004

I got the car moving. I had one eye on the road in front and the other on my rearview mirror, trying to see the accident. I saw flashing red lights behind me in the distance. For a split second I took my foot off the accelerator. Then I pressed down harder, picked up speed and took a quick left turn.

Jake has finally got his driver's license, and tonight he has his brother's car as well. He and his friend Mickey take the car out and cruise the strip. When they challenge another driver to a street race, a disastrous chain reaction causes an accident. Jake and Mickey leave the scene, trying to convince themselves they were not involved. Jake finds he cannot pretend it didn't happen and struggles with the right thing to do. Should he pretend he was not involved? Or should he go to the police?


(20050101)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a gutsy, admirable attempt to provide a viable counter argument to the blinking lights of brain-dead video games and dimwit movies. This is perhaps the most effective employment of the reflective medium of print; an introduction to the internal voice of conscience, cause and effect and consequences. Walters has a disarming, empathetic way with his story. He understands the rhythms of an adolescent's speech; the id-driven energies behind their motivations." (CD Syndicated 20040501)

"This story illustrates the power of peer pressure and how easy it is for good people to make bad decisions. No doubt teens, especially boys, will be able to relate to the events in this story. Recommended." (Canadian Book Review Annual 20050101)

"The plot moves quickly...this high interest, low reading level novel is simple, engaging, and well written...A satisfying read." (VOYA )

"Walters captures the heart and spirit of the 16-year-old first time driver through Jake, the stereotypical teenage boy, who wants to be cool and drive a cool car...This is more than a story about street racing; it is about responsibility and accepting the consequences of one's actions. It is a story about growing up. Highly recommended." (CM Magazine )

"This book is slim, though it manages to look quite grown-up in its appearance. And the ending certainly opens the way to further thought and/or discussion." (Resource Links )

About the Author

This is Eric Walters first book in the Orca Soundings series. He is a best-selling author of numerous books and a tireless presenter in schools across the country. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Orca Book Publishers (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551433184
• ISBN-13: 978-1551433189
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #908,734 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Overdrive, October 5, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Overdrive (Orca Soundings) (Paperback)

Overdrive by Eric Walters is a book about two high school students who just got their drivers license, and they borrow their big brother's car. In this book they do outrageous things in the car. They also do outrageous things while they're out of the car. For example, they stop by a curb to talk to two gorgeous girls and later show off they're beat up borrowed car at a place where all the cool cars go. Nobody was impressed, but if you just got your drivers license what would you do with it?
I recommend this book for readers 12&up. The book Overdrive had a lot of action, excitement, and dialogue and it made me just keep on reading. I thought he did awesome writing this book. I recommend some of his other books as well.

4.0 out of 5 stars Doing the right thing, April 22, 2011

By 

Heidi G - See all my reviews

This review is from: A toda velocidad (Overdrive) (Spanish Soundings series) (Spanish Edition) (Paperback)

Ninth-grader Jake is the first in his class to get a drivers license. He older brother lets him drive his car and Jake is involved in a street-racing accident. Jake struggles to do the right thing while being led down another path by his best friend. The teen voice in this story is authentic, the emotions real. A great read for teen boys.

4.0 out of 5 stars Mario Miron review, March 27, 2009

By 

Carol Saldana (Pomona, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Overdrive is a very interesting book by Eric Walters. If you like books that deal with cars I recommend ` Overdrive'. It is very interesting because these two teenagers get involved in an accident. But, none of them want to go to jail so, they don't tell the police.
This book involves a car accident and street racing. The book made me feel that if you ever get a car don't street race because there will be a car accident and somebody will get hurt. The book is mysterious because the cops are looking for the second car that was street racing. The book you that you should never get involved in street racing or car accidents. The book had a lot of mysterious parts.
I recommend overdrive because it is sad and mysterious. The mysterious is when Jake goes visit his friend named Luke. Jake thinks that Luke will tell that Jake was in the second car. But, Luke did not tell who was in the second car. That's why it makes the book more mysterious.