Top 10 Fastest

Children's Literature - Amanda MacGregor

Designed to engage reluctant readers with high-interest topics and low-vocabulary content, this volume in the "Crabtree Contact" series presents remarkable facts on a wide range of the world's fastest things. Fastest records covered include those set by birds, elevators, motorbikes, watercrafts, aircrafts, trains, and mammals. The fastest cars are also examined, such as the Thurst SSC (or SuperSonic car), which set the land speed record by reaching 763 miles per hour, and the Ultimate Aero, the fastest supercar for use on regular roads, which reached speeds of 256 miles per hour. While readers might expect to read about fast cars or planes, they may be surprised to see bamboo included in these pages. Bamboo, the fastest growing plant, can grow up to 3.28 feet in just one day. Animals that hold speed records include the cheetah, orcas and Dall porpoises, and the ostrich, which is capable of running an amazing 44.7 miles per hour. The full color double page pictures on every fast item mentioned informs the text and adds to the interest level. The book has an easy appeal for quick facts and the topic will be of interest to many. A glossary and index are appended, as is a listing of web sites for further information. Reviewer: Amanda MacGregor