The Gearhead's Guide to Dirt Bikes
(Gearhead Guides)

Gr 2-4--Bright, exciting photos and engaging text shine in this standout series. Surrounded by plenty of white space, the text of each book focuses on modifications that may be necessary to enhance the comfort and/or performance of the different kinds of racing vehicles. In the books where readers might actually own one of the vehicles (like BMX bikes, dirt bikes, and go-karts), Amstutz uses a relatable mod "suggestion" style of writing that encourages readers to upgrade their own gears. This is an interesting concept that would work even better if the websites listed in back included instructional guides on how to make the mods. For vehicles like choppers and stock cars, the author focuses on what racers and their pit crews do to ensure the machines perform at their peak. The writing itself is both informational and casual in a way that readers will find inherently trustworthy. Overall, these are good picks for most libraries. VERDICT A first purchase series.