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GO!
Fifteen-year-old Jack has just discovered the one thing he loves and is really good go kart racing. With the support of his mentor, Patrick, an old race-car driver with a dark past, and his best mates Colin and Mandy, Jack must learn to control his reckless streak. Only then will he be in with a chance to defeat the best drivers in Australia, including his ruthless rival Dean, and win the National title.
- GenresAudiobook
Audible Audio
Published November 19, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 25, 2024
4.5 stars
What a fun, feel-good read!
Watching the movie as we speak.
Listened to the audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda Audio
Read by Damian de Montemas
Duration: 4 hrs, 17 min. 1.25x Speed
What a fun, feel-good read!
Watching the movie as we speak.
Listened to the audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda Audio
Read by Damian de Montemas
Duration: 4 hrs, 17 min. 1.25x Speed
February 20, 2020
Such a nice little piece of Australiana. I have been having a bit of a reading funk lately so this was the perfect feel-good read to pull me out of it. Must watch the movie now too.
February 3, 2020
Jack and his mum are new to town and he nearly doesn't go to a party he's suddenly invited to. After all, he doesn't even know whose party it is! But it turns out to be the best thing he's done in ages. Especially after the dumb stuff he's done lately. He just can't stop himself. It's just a feeling that comes over him, ever since his dad died. He can't explain it to his mum and feels bad after letting it take over. What he needs is something else to think about.
The party venue is Busselton Dirt Karts and Jack soon finds himself speeding around the track - the best thing ever! He's hooked and wants to learn more, drive a kart again and maybe even enter competition races.
What he needs is a coach, (who he finds in the Kart Track owner Patrick), a mechanic/engineer, (who he finds in Mandy, the girl who is hosting the party), and a supportive mate, (Colin, an introvert and likeable quirky geek.)
Things don't go smoothly along the way, as Mandy is the sister of the local kart champion, and shouldn't be helping Jack. Jack's mum is flat-out busy with her new business and worrying about him, and the local constable has caught Jack driving her car illegally.
Jack knows he must sort out his recklessness, trust in his friend's advice, and listen more to his coach. The loss of his father weighs heavily on him, and the desire to win is all encompassing. Can he learn to control his inner demons?
This novel reads just like a fleshed-out screenplay which is essentially what it is, but I can see why it made a popular movie. It has everything for a good story. New kid in town. A past champion dealing with loss and not wanting to race anymore. The rich kid who is king-pin and not wanting Jack to take any of his glory. A girl just wanting to prove herself to her father, and a worried mum, just wanting the best for her son. I'd call it a cross between Cars (movie) and The Karate Kid (movie). Really enjoyed it!
The party venue is Busselton Dirt Karts and Jack soon finds himself speeding around the track - the best thing ever! He's hooked and wants to learn more, drive a kart again and maybe even enter competition races.
What he needs is a coach, (who he finds in the Kart Track owner Patrick), a mechanic/engineer, (who he finds in Mandy, the girl who is hosting the party), and a supportive mate, (Colin, an introvert and likeable quirky geek.)
Things don't go smoothly along the way, as Mandy is the sister of the local kart champion, and shouldn't be helping Jack. Jack's mum is flat-out busy with her new business and worrying about him, and the local constable has caught Jack driving her car illegally.
Jack knows he must sort out his recklessness, trust in his friend's advice, and listen more to his coach. The loss of his father weighs heavily on him, and the desire to win is all encompassing. Can he learn to control his inner demons?
This novel reads just like a fleshed-out screenplay which is essentially what it is, but I can see why it made a popular movie. It has everything for a good story. New kid in town. A past champion dealing with loss and not wanting to race anymore. The rich kid who is king-pin and not wanting Jack to take any of his glory. A girl just wanting to prove herself to her father, and a worried mum, just wanting the best for her son. I'd call it a cross between Cars (movie) and The Karate Kid (movie). Really enjoyed it!
June 13, 2020
3.5 stars
Go! was a fun read for young petrol-heads. The action was exciting and fast-paced, especially when Jack was go-kart racing, but there was also a heartwarming feel about the story. Mandy and Colin, Jack's new friends, were supportive characters and I liked that Mandy was a smart, budding mechanic.
However, the recklessness that Jack showed when driving, despite all the warnings from his friends and coach, Patrick, annoyed me and he deserved to lose his chance to attend the Nationals.
Overall, Go! was a fun, zippy novel that younger readers will appreciate.
Go! was a fun read for young petrol-heads. The action was exciting and fast-paced, especially when Jack was go-kart racing, but there was also a heartwarming feel about the story. Mandy and Colin, Jack's new friends, were supportive characters and I liked that Mandy was a smart, budding mechanic.
However, the recklessness that Jack showed when driving, despite all the warnings from his friends and coach, Patrick, annoyed me and he deserved to lose his chance to attend the Nationals.
Overall, Go! was a fun, zippy novel that younger readers will appreciate.
April 23, 2020
Though this story is simplistic in terms of its narrative arc, I strongly believe that this novel is perfect for reluctant teenage readers. Worland endeavours to convey genuine adolescent feelings on the page and I think he has achieved this.
Jack, though his actions and reactions are somewhat stereotypical of his age, is relatable and his interactions and developing relationships with Patrick, Colin and Mandy are believable. Worland clearly knows his audience and has effectively created a world where these characters seem real.
Personally, I found the dialogue a little forced at times, but I can recognise some of the nuances in the speech of my younger high school students. Once placed on my classroom bookshelf, I foresee this novel to be one of the most popular requests to be borrowed!
Thank you @puffinbooksaus and @penguinteenaus for gifting me a copy to read and review!
Jack, though his actions and reactions are somewhat stereotypical of his age, is relatable and his interactions and developing relationships with Patrick, Colin and Mandy are believable. Worland clearly knows his audience and has effectively created a world where these characters seem real.
Personally, I found the dialogue a little forced at times, but I can recognise some of the nuances in the speech of my younger high school students. Once placed on my classroom bookshelf, I foresee this novel to be one of the most popular requests to be borrowed!
Thank you @puffinbooksaus and @penguinteenaus for gifting me a copy to read and review!
October 8, 2021
Loved the book but jack is a dick
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews