Saturday Night Dirt: A MOTOR Novel

by Will Weaver

Overview

It's a sizzling summer Saturday, and Headwaters Speedway is suddenly the place to be. Thanks to rainouts across the state, this small-town dirt track is drawing big-time stock cars and local drivers. First up: Trace Bonham in his Street Stock Chevy that's sure to be a winner, if only he can figure out why it's acting up. Next is Beau Kim: his Modified is patched together from whatever parts he could scrape up. And on the outside, moving in fast: Amber Jenkins, a strawberry blonde who has what it takes to run rings around them all. Keeping everyone on track is Melody Walters: she knows that the impending rain might be exactly what they need to keep her father's speedway afloat—or sink it for good.

Saturday Night Dirt is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780312561314
Publisher:	Square Fish
Publication date:	04/14/2009
Series:	Motor Novels Series , #1
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	683,336
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	780L (what's this?)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Will Weaver grew up in northern Minnesota on a dairy farm. His character Billy Baggs earned his way into the hearts of teen readers in three award-winning books. Another book, Full Service won starred reviews. Weaver also writes the MOTOR series about dirt track stock car racing, one of the few sports that gives no gender advantage, and he includes positive and realistic portrayals of young women involved in the sport. Weaver has formed a stock car racing team with a teenaged driver. His black No. 16 Modified race car, co-sponsored by Farrar, Straus & Giroux publishers, is driven by Skyler Smith of Bemidji.

Read an Excerpt

A note from the author

At a recent young adult literature conference in Minneapolis, a high school teacher stood up to address a panel of authors on which I was speaking. “But where are the novels for kids who love cars and hate their English classes?” she asked. “I’ve got lots of boys in my school—and some girls, too—whose lives revolve around auto racing. They have their favorite NASCAR drivers, they go to races, some of them drive stock cars at the local dirt track. Cars and racing are their life. We need something for these kids to read!” The audience laughed, then clapped loudly. Afterward I spoke privately with the teacher. I told her about Saturday Night Dirt and my forthcoming Motor series from Farrar, Straus and Giroux. She actually hugged me. “My students are going to eat those books up!” she said. “I can’t wait for the next time one of them says, ‘There’s nothing for me to read.’”

Coming Spring 2009

Super Stock Rookie

A MOTOR Novel

Trace Bonham has left home for the chance of a lifetime: to race for a professional team. After a tough tryout, he wins his dream ride. But he has growing doubts about the team owner and his wife. Did they choose Trace for his driving ability, or to be a poster boy for a marketing campaign? And when Trace’s racing circuit brings him home to Headwaters Speedway, he’s treated like a star—until the green flag drops.

Editorial Reviews

For rugged reality, pick up Saturday Night Dirt by Will Weaver, a high-energy story about cars and small-town racing.” —Parade

“If you have a young car-racing fan in your family, this book is the perfect summer reading choice: It's a face-paced story about a struggling speedway in northern Michigan and features a great cast of characters, all car-obsessed teens. Great for boys and girls.” —Good Morning America

“Thoroughly enjoyable . . . this book presents a fascinating look at small-time racing where the love of it gives the glitz of NASCAR its roots.” —School Library Journal

“Compelling . . . It is the atmosphere of the track that is the real star here. Young racing fans, particularly those familiar with the small tracks that dot rural parts of the country, will find much that rings true.” —Booklist

“Librarians need to steer boys who tinker with internal combustion engines to Weaver's latest work. Short chapters and a brisk pace . . . may attract those reluctant readers who can recite the firing order of a V-8 and know how to tighten down a valve cover.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Weaver fleshes each [character] out enough to leave a lasting impression on readers and make them curious to know what happens next.” —Publishers Weekly

“The racing lingo moves the story along, while the reader's interest remains piqued wondering how all the characters will fit together, who will end up with whom, and who will win their heart's desire. This book is a winner in a sports event rarely dealt with by young adult authors.” —VOYA

“I was pleasantly surprised when I began reading Saturday Night Dirt. I was completely absorbed. I really felt like I could identify with the characters. I read the book in one day. It was impossible to put down.” —Ben, 17

“The book Saturday Night Dirt has been one of the best books I've read.” —Hannah, 13

“I loved the book Saturday Night Dirt. Anyone who reads this book will change the way they look at dirt tracks forever.” —Bethany, 13

“Saturday Night Dirt is a great book. I have never been a big racing fan, but even so, this was an awesome book. I can't wait for the next one.” —Kyle, 14

From the Publisher