Slide or Die (DriftX)
Grade 9 Up–This first book in a new series features drifting, a form of racing where the drivers glide cars sideways around curves while going downhill. After their mother died, half Japanese/half American 17-year-old Kennin and his older sister moved to a Las Vegas trailer park to be closer to their father, who is in a nearby prison serving time for Internet fraud. Kennin becomes friends with Tito and his sister Angelita, an expert at customizing cars. One night, Titos cousin, recently released from jail, shows up in a stolen car and takes the three teens to a drifting event. When police suddenly arrive, he panics, afraid that he will be caught and re-incarcerated. Kennin takes over the wheel and uses his extraordinary driving skills to escape. Word about his feat soon gets around school and Kennin, taunted with racial epithets by his adversaries, is challenged to a race. Tempted by the money, and to prove his worth, he agrees but the story ends before the race takes place, indicating a sequel. Teens will be drawn to the colorful, comiclike cover, black-and-white sketches, car-racing action, and the growing attraction between Kennin and Angelita. A good choice for reluctant older readers.–Michele Capozzella, Chappaqua Public Library, NYCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.