Teen Fiction - Adventure & Survival, Teen Fiction - Boys & Young Men

The Car

Name: The Car
Author: Gary Paulsen
ISBN: 9780152058272

by Gary Paulsen

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Overview

Neglected by his parents, fourteen-year-old Terry Anders is used to taking care of things on his own. He even manages to assemble a car kit by himself. When the car is finished, Terry sets off from Cleveland to Portland in search of an uncle he barely remembers. Along the way, he is joined by a wise Vietnam vet who turns his journey into an adventure in learning. Each book includes a reader's guide.

A teenager left on his own travels west in a kit car he built himself, and along the way picks up two Vietnam veterans, who take him on an eye-opening journey.

Synopsis

A modern day Huck Finn story by a master of teen fiction

Publishers Weekly

In a starred review, PW praised the Newbery Honor author for ``his ability to create flesh-and-blood characters'' in this story about a 14-year-old who sets out on a road trip and meets up with a Vietnam vet. Ages 12-up. Another Paulsen title, Dancing Carl, is being released simultaneously by Aladdin; $3.95 ISBN 0-689-80410-5. Ages 9-12. (Oct.) q

About the Author, Gary Paulsen

Gary Paulsen is one of the most honored writers of contemporary literature for young readers. He has written more than one hundred book for adults and young readers, and is the author of three Newbery Honor titles: Dogsong, Hatchet, and The Winter Room. He divides his time among Alaska, New Mexico, Minnesota, and the Pacific.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

The ALAN Review - Gerry McBroom

Terry, fourteen-years old and deserted by both parents, builds a Blakely Bearcat from a kit left by his father. After late nights of lovingly putting each piece into place, the Cat is finished. Terry-without a driver's license and driving experience-sets out from Cleveland for Portland to look for an uncle he vaguely remembers. Terry meets Waylon, a Vietnam veteran, who convinces Terry to let this stranger ride with him in the Cat. Their first stop takes them to see another vet who joins them in their travels, riding his Harley. These men lead Terry on a journey of learning about history, people, and attitudes. Although unrealistic, with a loosely threaded plot, the novel reads quickly and will be a hit with those interested in cars and life's adventures.

Children's Literature - Gisela Jernigan

Abandoned by his parents, 14-year-old Terry manages to control natural feelings of fear and isolation by working on and completing a kit car, a Blakely Bearcat, or simply "The Cat." as he prefers to think of it. After "borrowing" a license and giving himself a few desperate but basically successful driving lessons, Terry sets out from his Cleveland home to Portland to visit an uncle. If learning how to handle The Cat wasn't exciting enough, Terry's real adventures begin when he meets and teams up with Waylon, a 45-year- old, free-spirit Vietnam vet, who along with an old war buddy, Wayne, decide to teach Terry, through travel, what he should know about America. The trio's learning experiences include visiting a commune and Custer's Last Stand. Although Wayne is homosexual his relationship with Waylon and Terry is warn but purely platonic, and his sexual preference is not a very important part of the book. Fast-moving and exciting, this coming of age novel should appeal even to readers who are not car enthusiasts.