August 1, 2020
The young readers' adaptation of the adult title Faster (2020) by Bascomb, who is known for his award-winning The Nazi Hunters (2013). The author begins this version with an account of Nazis in occupied Paris stealing files from the library of the Automobile Club de France, which organized the French Grand Prix, and then devotes leisurely chapters to the biographies of the principal characters: Ren� Dreyfus, a renowned French auto racer; Rudi Caracciola, a German racing champion; and Lucy O'Reilly Schell, a wealthy American rally-car racer. Grand Prix auto racing was in its dangerous infancy; as speeds increased, sometimes averaging more than 120 mph, deaths became common. Caracciola fought his way back to competition after shattering his leg, eventually becoming the main driver for Mercedes (who fired Dreyfus when they learned he was Jewish) and for Hitler's state-sponsored Silver Arrow cars. Schell decided to finance her own racing team and hired Dreyfus to drive the new Delahaye. Conflicting ideologies finally reached a climax in the 1938 Grand Prix at Pau, where Dreyfus won in an upset. Well-researched, meticulously documented, and enhanced by photographs and maps of race courses, the book unfortunately stalls at the start with overly detailed accounts of single races and an overall lack of pace. Teens, particularly those fascinated by auto racing, should stick with the original adult edition. (author's note, source notes, endnotes, photo and illustration credits, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

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Starred review from September 1, 2020
Grades 5-8 *Starred Review* The screams of engines tear through the pages of Bascomb's latest, spewing noxious exhaust, rattling drivers' bodies, and pitting nations against each other as Hitler rises to power. Politics play an important background role in this slice of auto-racing history, but the cutting-edge cars and their driving aces claim the spotlight. The narrative leads up to the 1938 Pau Grand Prix in France, where Germany's Rudi Caracciola would face France's Ren� Dreyfus in an unforgettable race. Bascomb anchors his book in the triumphs and disappointments of these two men's racing careers, as well as in those of Lucy Schell, the titular heiress and a fearless rally racer. Her story intersects with Dreyfus' when he joins �curie Bleue, the racing team she created with French car manufacturer Delahaye. Bascomb excels at launching the reader along famous racecourses, such as the Circuit de Monaco and the N�rburgring, palpably describing the pressures felt by the drivers both literally and emotionally. He also integrates the competitive spirit motivating European car manufacturers and how this became entwined with politics as Hitler sought German dominance in every sphere. Though geared toward car and racing enthusiasts, this book will enthrall any with a passing curiosity in those subjects or history lovers who enjoy an underdog tale. Period photos and posters, plus an extensive bibliography, fortify this impressive speed read.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

Starred review from November 1, 2020

Gr 7 Up-Masterly history detective Bascomb provides a fascinating chronicle of the European grand prix racing scene during the 1930s. The text focuses on German driver Rudi Caracciola, who drove for the Nazi-sponsored team, and "the outcast" French driver Ren� Dreyfus, who was excluded from the German teams because he was Jewish. Also integral to the story is Lucy Schell, an American heiress who hired Dreyfus to drive her team's French Delahaye 145 against the German Mercedes Silver Arrow cars, which dominated grand prix racing at that time. The rivalry between Dreyfus and Caracciola parallels the rising conflict between France and Germany. The Nazi party strategically used grand prix racing as a propaganda tool to assert its military and ethnic "superiority." Bascomb's descriptive details, such as the ache in Caracciola's leg from shifting gears and how Dreyfus triple tied his shoes prior to a race, will engage readers. The riveting black-and-white photographs and direct quotes included throughout bring the characters and events to life. Readers who have no prior knowledge of automobile racing will still recognize the names of prominent car manufacturers (Mercedes, Bugatti, Maserati, and Alfa Romeo). At the end of the text, Bascomb describes his research methods using primary and secondary documents and provides an extensive source list. Some middle grade readers may struggle with the French and German names and mechanical terms, but most will be motivated to persevere given the compelling story line. VERDICT Highly recommended for middle and high school students who enjoy narrative nonfiction and sports history.-Maile Steimer, Jones M.S., Buford, GA

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