Synopsis
Growing up, Danica Patrick dreamed of racing in the Indianapolis 500. In 2005, her dream came true. Danica finished the race in fourth place, the best ever result by a woman. Three years later, she became the first female to win an IndyCar race. As a woman competing in a sport with mostly men, Danica faced many obstacles. But she never stopped believing in herself, no matter what the odds.
Children's Literature
This biography of IndyCar racer, Danica Patrick, is part of the "People We Should Know" series. The book will also be helpful in introducing students to a nonfiction text. The biography is a simple recounting of Patrick's life, preparation for motor sports, and goal to win a series championship. It begins with her win in Japan and then goes back to trace her childhood and her developing interest in auto racing. The story includes her go-kart championships, her three years in England, and her move into American auto racing. There are photos to accompany the story. The text highlights vocabulary words, gives additional details in "Fast Facts," and presents more information about the sport in a variety of question and answer insets. The questions all deal with various aspects of auto racing, from sponsors to pit crews, and are written to help young readers understand the sport. There is a glossary, a timeline, and an index, making this a great book to introduce these elements to young readers and use in modeling how to research the lives of "People We Should Know." Reviewer: Janis Flint-Ferguson