Motocross, Vol. 3

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

There is a big disclaimer on the table of contents page that warns readers that the stunts shown in this book have been performed by experienced motocross riders. That should give you a clue that this is a sport that is dangerous and requires considerable skill and training. An opening spread shows a group of riders soaring in the air from a track. This account of the sport of motocross then goes back to its earliest years, the 1940s, when road bikes were used in these motocross races. Today's motocross bikes resemble these heavier motorcycles, but they are very different in that the suspension system is lighter because they are made from different materials; therefore, the riders are able to perform feats that would have never been dreamed of in the 1940s. The different components of the bike are identified in a spread along with a discussion of safety gear. There is a picture of a typical race. Most motocross races take place outdoors but there is another sport called supercross that takes place in specially built tracks in stadiums. In either case great skill is needed to handle the jumps and bumps that make up a motocross track. As if the race itself were not enough, some riders also perform tricks. There is a brief one-page glossary titled "Need-to-Know Words," a few websites to visit and an index. Part of the "Crabtree Contact" series that seems to a focus on high interest and not particularly difficult vocabulary, which makes these book's useful for a large audience of readers. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot