Drive (A Graphic Novel)
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
"An inspirational, information-packed tale inspired by a real feminist trailblazer." --Kirkus
START YOUR ENGINES!
In 1964, Janet Guthrie is on her way to becoming one of the most successful female race car drivers in history—the first ever to qualify for and race in the Indianapolis 500. But the road ahead of her will not be easy. She’ll have to drive with broken bones and in rickety cars, while constantly proving to the press and the racing world that she’s every bit as good as the men on the track.
In 2019, twelve-year-old Alex finds a vintage Jaguar her grandfather never finished restoring. It’s a dream come true for a “car girl,” and she dives into teaching herself how to repair and restore it—with the help of her favorite mechanic’s videos. Alex’s father thinks she’s wasting her time, and the local car community isn’t eager to welcome a girl. But there’s a car show coming up, and Alex is determined to prove her skills.
No matter what gets in their way, Janet and Alex are passionate trailblazers who know that the only way forward is to keep your foot on the gas. Told in alternating timelines, highlighted by two different color palettes (Janet's story is in a limited palette, while Alex's is in full color), Drive is an immersive story of how far we've come and how far we have yet to go.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"Women have always done extraordinary things. But then those things are forgotten." Copeland (Cub) endeavors to bring one such woman back into the spotlight in this time-jumping graphic novel that weaves together the true story of race car driver Janet Guthrie (b. 1938) with fictional 12-year-old Alexandra as she restores a '56 Jaguar XK 140 formerly owned by Guthrie. Alternating palettes differentiate present-day chapters rendered in full color from blue and yellow shaded historical recollections of Guthrie's life. Fine-line drawings burst with action-packed detail; a kinetic 1962-set prologue depicts a win for Guthrie that's dismissed by her peers. Alex experiences similar biases while working on the Jaguar, which she discovers in the barn of her new home in New Hampshire. The narrative encourages readers to avoid treating female athletes as novelties, making for an entertaining and educational entry into gender-based discrimination in sports that spotlights how it impacts future professionals: "When we can't build on the successes of those who came before us—it's a huge obstacle! Each generation has to start all over again." Alex has pale skin and freckles; past–set chapters depict Guthrie in swathes of blue and yellow. Ages 8–12.
