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Speed Freak
Racing. Winning. That's all that matters in this exciting teen story about driving competitively.
Fifteen-year-old Archie is a top kart driver, aiming to win the Challenge series and its prize of racing in Europe.
He loves the speed, the roar of the engine, the tactics and the thrill of driving to the limits.
Craig is his main rival, and there’s also Silver, who drives like she’s got a demon inside. Archie knows he’ll need all his skill and focus to win. But sometimes, too, you need plain old luck. Can Archie overcome the odds and win?
Fifteen-year-old Archie is a top kart driver, aiming to win the Challenge series and its prize of racing in Europe.
He loves the speed, the roar of the engine, the tactics and the thrill of driving to the limits.
Craig is his main rival, and there’s also Silver, who drives like she’s got a demon inside. Archie knows he’ll need all his skill and focus to win. But sometimes, too, you need plain old luck. Can Archie overcome the odds and win?
- GenresTeenYoung Adult
240 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2013
5 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Fleur Beale
47 books149 followersFleur Beale is the author of many award-winning books for children and young adults, best known for her novel I am not Esther which has been published worldwide.
Beale was one of six children of a dairy farmer Cedric Corney and of a teacher and author Estelle Corney (née Cook). She was born in Inglewood, Taranaki, New Zealand, on the farm where her father was born. Beale grew up in the town before attending Victoria University, Wellington and Christchurch Teachers' Training College, where she met her husband. Since 1985 she has taught at Melville High School in Hamilton, Waikato and in Wellington. Beale's first stories were written for the children's radio programme Grandpa's Place. Her first book was a small reader and picture book for young children and she started to write for teenagers in 1993. Her stories often involve troubled adolescents engaged in outdoor activities.
Beale was a finalist in the Aim Children's Book Awards (junior fiction) and her 1998 novel I am not Esther was shortlisted for the senior fiction section of the 1999 New Zealand Post Children's Awards. In 1999 she was awarded the Children's Writing Fellowship at Dunedin College of Education and quit teaching to write full time. Her 2001 novel Ambushed was a finalist for the Junior Fiction section of the 2002 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards. Her 2004 account of how an indigenous girl discovers how her education can save her tribal lands (My Story A New Song in the Land. The Writings of Atapo, Pahia, c.1840) received a Notable Book award in 2005 as did Walking Lightly.
Beale was one of six children of a dairy farmer Cedric Corney and of a teacher and author Estelle Corney (née Cook). She was born in Inglewood, Taranaki, New Zealand, on the farm where her father was born. Beale grew up in the town before attending Victoria University, Wellington and Christchurch Teachers' Training College, where she met her husband. Since 1985 she has taught at Melville High School in Hamilton, Waikato and in Wellington. Beale's first stories were written for the children's radio programme Grandpa's Place. Her first book was a small reader and picture book for young children and she started to write for teenagers in 1993. Her stories often involve troubled adolescents engaged in outdoor activities.
Beale was a finalist in the Aim Children's Book Awards (junior fiction) and her 1998 novel I am not Esther was shortlisted for the senior fiction section of the 1999 New Zealand Post Children's Awards. In 1999 she was awarded the Children's Writing Fellowship at Dunedin College of Education and quit teaching to write full time. Her 2001 novel Ambushed was a finalist for the Junior Fiction section of the 2002 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards. Her 2004 account of how an indigenous girl discovers how her education can save her tribal lands (My Story A New Song in the Land. The Writings of Atapo, Pahia, c.1840) received a Notable Book award in 2005 as did Walking Lightly.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 8, 2013
Lots of detail to give the reader an understanding of kart racing, a bit too much for me. Took a while for the story to get interesting, about a third of the way in it draws the reader in. Strong moral 15 year old boy is the centre of the story, maybe a bit too thoughtful but pretty convincing.
Good blended family story with caring extended family.
Good blended family story with caring extended family.
January 7, 2020
I adore Fleur Beale, but this isn't her best book. It's comfortable - the main character, go-kart racer Archie, is smart, considerate and even-keeled. His family drama is less than dramatic, and everyone behaves reasonably. The descriptions of races alternate between granular detail, and just saying that a race was done.
It's not a bad book - I'm sure the content would appeal to speed-hungry teens - but it just pales so much in comparion to Beale's earlier motorspot book, Slide the Corner. Slide the Corner is a perennial favourite of mine - I have no interest in rally racing and yet I've re-read it so many times. This feels like a low-stakes re-tread of a similar topic, but with less engaging characters.
It's not a bad book - I'm sure the content would appeal to speed-hungry teens - but it just pales so much in comparion to Beale's earlier motorspot book, Slide the Corner. Slide the Corner is a perennial favourite of mine - I have no interest in rally racing and yet I've re-read it so many times. This feels like a low-stakes re-tread of a similar topic, but with less engaging characters.
April 23, 2014
Fleur Beale has produced another well-written book that I am sure Year 10 English teachers will enjoy. I guess it is time for a replacement book for 'Slide the Corner', although I'm not quite sure this is the one.
Boys will most likely read it, but it shouldn't be assumed that because the content is about Kart racing that boys will like it. Or that girls won't. The two students I have had read it so far are both girls. They both race. They assure me the book is well informed and accurate on the technical detail.
Archie is a 15 year old who loves racing his kart. His Dad, formerly his dedicated mechanic and kart racing chauffeur and chaperone, has meet someone new, and she is moving in. She's a doctor and hates how cars mutilate young people on our roads. She has a (I think) six year old son. This is the story of Archie managing these changes in his life, while still trying to keep up with studies at school, and race for his life.
If I sound less than enthusiastic it's because this feels just a little too recipe book for me. Archie is a great role model, but I'm not sure how many young teens will connect with him. He has no real edge to him. Which led me to wonder if teen characters need edge to be believable. Actually I'm pretty sure they do. Isn't it the job of teenagers to be edgy. And even those who are not would kind of like to think they could be. Or would like to experience it vicariously, through their reading.
I'm a mother, of a fifteen year old boy, and a teacher. So, I liked Archie. My overall view of the book is that it is fine, but I'm not rushing to read it again.
Boys will most likely read it, but it shouldn't be assumed that because the content is about Kart racing that boys will like it. Or that girls won't. The two students I have had read it so far are both girls. They both race. They assure me the book is well informed and accurate on the technical detail.
Archie is a 15 year old who loves racing his kart. His Dad, formerly his dedicated mechanic and kart racing chauffeur and chaperone, has meet someone new, and she is moving in. She's a doctor and hates how cars mutilate young people on our roads. She has a (I think) six year old son. This is the story of Archie managing these changes in his life, while still trying to keep up with studies at school, and race for his life.
If I sound less than enthusiastic it's because this feels just a little too recipe book for me. Archie is a great role model, but I'm not sure how many young teens will connect with him. He has no real edge to him. Which led me to wonder if teen characters need edge to be believable. Actually I'm pretty sure they do. Isn't it the job of teenagers to be edgy. And even those who are not would kind of like to think they could be. Or would like to experience it vicariously, through their reading.
I'm a mother, of a fifteen year old boy, and a teacher. So, I liked Archie. My overall view of the book is that it is fine, but I'm not rushing to read it again.
August 23, 2016
Another great Fleur Beale book for boys. This time it's 15 year old Archie, the kart racer and speed freak, who has to win the national challenge series and win a place racing in Europe.
As usual Beale deals with reality. Archie has to win but not with a magic wand. He has to work, think, and plan. He has to practise a lot and learn to focus and concentrate. His story is a wonderful lesson in how hard work is needed for any success. But the novel isn't just about Archie, there's his Dad and the new step mum with small son. How do you make a family from new beginnings? It's about his friends and their problems and about cheating. Should you cheat to win?
There's a lot to think about in this novel and it would be a fun book to read aloud. Make sure to leave it lying around where a reluctant male reader might spot the bright cover and pick it up.
As usual Beale deals with reality. Archie has to win but not with a magic wand. He has to work, think, and plan. He has to practise a lot and learn to focus and concentrate. His story is a wonderful lesson in how hard work is needed for any success. But the novel isn't just about Archie, there's his Dad and the new step mum with small son. How do you make a family from new beginnings? It's about his friends and their problems and about cheating. Should you cheat to win?
There's a lot to think about in this novel and it would be a fun book to read aloud. Make sure to leave it lying around where a reluctant male reader might spot the bright cover and pick it up.
October 8, 2013
I envy Fleur's skill in writing from the viewpoint of a 15-year-old boy - his voice is confident and genuine. Archie loves kart racing, and the major plot strand is his determination to win a trip to an international race in Europe. Carefully woven with this story is a secondary plot involving Archie's dad's lady friend, Erica, who is determined that her 7-year-old son Felix will never become involved with any kind of motor sport. Of course, Felix wants to drive karts like Archie. There's plenty of authentic detail about kart racing, heaps of action, and a good dollop of suspense - how will Archie cope with a rival who keeps on cheating? A great read for boys of about 12 to 15.
August 20, 2014
It's so satisfying to review a book when you've really enjoyed it. This is a wonderfully crafted story from a favourite author. It's not a story to shake the brain around, not a laugh out loud, just a good story about one young person and his world. I loved the little observations Archie made about Felix, about his dad's reactions and grumpy Grandad. Archie reminds me of any number of teenagers I know - he has found something he enjoys and is working hard to succeed. Recommended to Y9-11 but certainly not limited to that group although younger readers might find some language a little more juicy than books aimed at their year levels.
August 17, 2014
A grandfather, father and son work together with great focus and skill in order to make the 15 year old's go-karting season the most successful it possibly can be. But not at all costs. They remain kind and considerate which makes the story all the more satisfying. A fun and refreshing read.
There's a line used a few times as encouragement to the driver which would make a great tag line for the cover: "Drive it like you stole it."
There's a line used a few times as encouragement to the driver which would make a great tag line for the cover: "Drive it like you stole it."
October 5, 2013
An exciting story about kart racing and extended families in New Zealand. I love the writing of Fleur Beale, but even so, I really didn't expect to enjoy this story as much as I did which centres around fifteen-year old Archie and involves his racing rivalries, father-son relationship, girlfriend, and being a role model for a new little brother.
January 12, 2014
Firstly, are we able to edit the author's name, as her name is fleur rather than fluer.
Secondly, I really enjoyed this book.
It has a lot of action and it feels like there is a race in every chapter.
It is also very down to earth, and I really appreciate the complex family relationships that are displayed.
Secondly, I really enjoyed this book.
It has a lot of action and it feels like there is a race in every chapter.
It is also very down to earth, and I really appreciate the complex family relationships that are displayed.
November 15, 2013
Fast-paced and action packed. I will definitely be recommending this to the boys. I wasn't entirely convinced by how well the blended family came together (certainly hasn't been that easy from what I've seen and experienced!). But Archie was such a likeable character I can overlook it.
July 11, 2014
A bit similar to Slide the Corner. Not a class read aloud but some kids will enjoy it. :-)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews