Car Smarts (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) [School & Library Binding]

Phil Edmonston (Author), Maureen Sawa (Author), Gordon Sauve (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 30, 2003 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY.

Editorial Reviews

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. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Booklist

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 Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• School & Library Binding: 80 pages
• Publisher: Turtleback (December 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0613773136
• ISBN-13: 978-0613773133
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,269,878 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Still Worthwhile, February 19, 2009

By 

Spudman (Pasadena, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Car Smarts: Hot Tips for the Car Crazy (Paperback)

Car Smarts is a book for those buying their first or second car. The authors give a brief history of the automobile, and a cursury treatment of automobile mechanics before dispensing advice.
Most of the advice in this book is still pertinent and almost timeless. Some of the information, such as specific car recommendations, can be a little dated though Hondas and Toyotas are still good bets for new or used cars.
The book's last chapter is quite relevant today because it addresses the issues of alternate fuels and so-called green cars.If you can get this book for a discounted price, it's worth a read for the prospective car driving teen.