{"id":2883,"date":"2025-05-15T10:25:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T10:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=2883"},"modified":"2025-05-15T10:25:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T10:25:00","slug":"book-review-race-car-kid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=2883","title":{"rendered":"Book Review: Race Car Kid"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4b2eccd6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong><em>Race Car Kid<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-regular-font-size\">by Gregory McNealy<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Genre:<\/strong> Juvenile Fiction \/ Ages 6-8<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>ISBN: <\/strong>9798342680714<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Print Length:<\/strong> 66 pages<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"align-button-center ub-buttons orientation-button-row 1 wp-block-ub-button\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3FbHTVt\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium   ub-button-flex-medium\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">Amazon<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/p><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/5423\/9798342680714\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium   ub-button-flex-medium\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">Bookshop<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/p><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>Reviewed by Samantha Hui<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"ub_advanced_heading wp-block-ub-advanced-heading\"><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong>A fun &amp; meaningful book about how racing isn\u2019t just a game\u2014it\u2019s a fight for freedom.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Gregory McNealy\u2019s <em>Race Car Kid<\/em> is a vibrant and heartfelt tale that explores themes of resilience, freedom, and the importance of doing what\u2019s right.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Aimed at younger readers, particularly those in elementary school, the story balances playful fantasy with emotional depth. With a ten-year-old protagonist and a length of just over 60 pages, the book is designed to be digestible for children, especially those easing into independent reading. McNealy\u2019s story offers a whimsical escape while also encouraging kids to think about courage, identity, and the value of family.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u201cThe legend of a driver that drove at the speed of lightning. The one without fear, fear of anything or anybody. A driver with the reflexes of a cat, the vision of a hawk, and the will of a lion.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The story follows RC, a bright ten-year-old who was orphaned early in life but raised by loving adoptive parents. He shares a close bond with his adoptive father, especially through their after school racing game where they pretend to be co-racecar drivers.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>As RC starts playing on the school football team, he begins to doze off in class, prompting concern from his parents. One day, he drifts into a vivid dream and finds himself in a colorful, cartoon-like realm built entirely around racing called the \u201cDream World.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This fantastical world features terrain for every kind of race and vehicles that have amazing capabilities such as flying, leaping, and driving underwater amongst other things. RC embarks on an urgent quest where the outcome of a high-stakes race will determine the freedom of Dream World. Along the way, he uncovers the hidden secrets of Dream World and surprising truths about his past.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u201cSome want to take our right to come here and race away. They think of themselves as the upper elite and us as a virus that plagues the Dream World.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The book is fast-paced and a great match for this age-range. McNealy does an excellent job of tapping into the excitement and curiosity of a young reader, making RC\u2019s dreams feel real and thrilling. The concept of entering a cartoon world through dreams is especially fun, sparking the imagination and adding a playful twist to the adventure. The inclusion of illustrations helps bring this world to life, giving readers a sense of what RC experiences when he transitions into a cartoon world, offering visual support for young readers, and enhancing the overall reading experience.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u201cWe race for our freedom and to be treated as equals in this world, and we will have it. Every race, we race to win.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The story\u2019s concept is bursting with creative potential, but due to the short length, some of that potential gets underexplored. The transitions between scenes move quickly, which can make it hard to fully grasp the emotional stakes or appreciate the richness of the dream environment.<\/p>\n<p><em>Race Car Kid<\/em> is going to be a well-loved book for kids who like racing, cartoons, or stories about bravery and self-discovery. For parents or educators looking for a chapter book that entertains while offering important life lessons, McNealy\u2019s book is a great pick. It invites readers to dream big, stay resilient, and always do the right thing even in the wildest of worlds.<\/p>\n<div class=\"align-button-center ub-buttons orientation-button-row 1 wp-block-ub-button\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3FbHTVt\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium   ub-button-flex-medium\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">Amazon<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/p><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/5423\/9798342680714\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium   ub-button-flex-medium\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">Bookshop<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/p><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Thank you for reading Samantha Hui\u2019s book review of<em> Race Car Kid <\/em>by Gregory McNealy! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.<\/p>\n<div class=\"align-button-center ub-buttons orientation-button-row 1 wp-block-ub-button\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/independentbookreview.com\/category\/book-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium   ub-button-flex-medium\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">Book Reviews<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/p><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/independentbookreview.com\/category\/blog\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium   ub-button-flex-medium\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">IBR Blog<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/p><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/independentbookreview.com\/writers-only\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium   ub-button-flex-medium\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">Resources for Writers<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/p><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/independentbookreview.com\/2025\/05\/15\/book-review-race-car-kid\/\">Book Review: Race Car Kid<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/independentbookreview.com\/\">Independent Book Review<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Race Car Kid by Gregory McNealy Genre: Juvenile Fiction \/ Ages 6-8 ISBN: 9798342680714 Print Length: 66 pages Amazon Bookshop Reviewed by Samantha Hui A fun &amp; meaningful book about how racing isn\u2019t just a game\u2014it\u2019s a fight for freedom. Gregory McNealy\u2019s Race Car Kid is a vibrant and heartfelt tale that explores themes of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":2884,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2883","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bookreviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2883"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2883"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2883\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2884"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2883"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2883"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2883"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}