Smokin' Race Cars by K.C. Kelley (a Fast Wheels! book)

This cool book introduces readers to NASCAR and all that comes with it: the cars, the races, the drivers, the safety issues, the tracks, the fans, and more. It gives a lot of knowledge with a few words and lots of pictures. Very easy reading for reluctant reluctant readers.


I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about NASCAR, racing, cars or fast and furious sports with a danger element involved. One thing I did not enjoy were the various pages of Smokin' Facts interspersed throughout the book. I liked reading the facts, but I did not enjoy how they broke up the smooth reading of the text. I would suggest to the publisher to put the Smokin' Facts at the end of each chapter, to allow the reader to read and enjoy the text uninhibited.

I received a free Advanced Reading Copy from Enslow Publishers. ISBN 978-1-62285-095-2

Zombie Camp by Nadia Higgins (Book 1 of the Zombie Zappers series)

This book discusses what happens when Leo, his best friend Chad, his half zombie friend Robert and Chad's cousin Anita decide to spend a week at Camp Smellerd investigating an old zombie mystery. The Guppy Scout Troop disappeared in 1981 and their bodies were never found. Yet, soon after, moans and mysterious sounds started coming from Lake Moan by Camp Smellerd. Additionally, the lake became covered with a weird type of algae. Are these things related? Read the book to find out!

As a children's librarian, I would not recommend this book. I found the tale to be highly improbable and very far fetched, even for a science fiction tale. The grammar and sentence structure were fine, and a first or second grader should encounter no difficulties when reading this book. Children who are interested in zombies may enjoy this series, but I didn't find this first book of the series enticing enough to want to read book two.

I received a free Advanced Reading Copy from Enslow Publishers. ISBN 978-1-62285-003-7