Dirt Bike Racer

by Matt Christopher

Is Ron's luck on the track about to run out? When Ron finds a dirt bike at the bottom of a lake, he can't believe his luck. But the bike needs fixing up and that takes money. When he takes a job doing yard work for a former dirt bike racer, he's convinced he's finally going to make his dream of racing come true. Little does he suspect that the job will lead him to the one person who can threaten his dream....

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Young Adult, Sports

149 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Matt Christopher is the writer young readers turn to when they're looking for fast-paced, action-packed sports novels. He is the best-selling author of more than one hundred sports books for young readers.

Matt Christopher is America's bestselling sports writer for children, with more than 100 books and sales approaching six million copies. In 1992, Matt Christopher talked about being a children's book author.

"I became interested in writing when I was 14, a freshman in high school. I was selling magazines such as the Saturday Evening Post, Country Gentleman, and Liberty, and I would read the stories, particularly the adventure and mystery stories, and think how wonderful it would be to be able to write stories and make a living at it. I also read detective, horror, aviation, and sports stories and decided I would try writing them myself.

Determined to sell, I wrote a detective story a week for 40 weeks, finding the time to marry, work, and play baseball and basketball before I sold my first story in 1941, "The Missing Finger Points," for $50 to Detective Story magazine.

After writing and selling children's sports stories to magazines, I decided to write a baseball book for children. I was living in Syracuse, New York at the time, working at General Electric. I spoke about my idea to the branch librarian. She was immediately interested and told me that they needed sports stories badly. So I came up with my first children's book, The Lucky Baseball Bat. I submitted it to Little, Brown, and the book was published in 1954.

I'm sure that playing sandlot baseball and then semiprofessional baseball with a Class C club in the Canadian-American League influenced my writing. I had my own personal experiences, and I saw how other players reacted to plays, to teammates' and fans' remarks and innuendoes, to managers' orders, etc. All these had a great influence on my writing. My love of the game helped a lot, too, of course.

Out of all the books I've written, my favorite is The Kid Who Only Hit Homers. It's a fantasy, but the main character in it could be real. There are a lot of boys who would love to play baseball but, for some reason, cannot. The only difference between a real-life boy and Sylvester Coddmyer III is the appearance of a character named George Baruth, whom only Sylvester can see and who helps Sylvester become a good ballplayer.

I've written many short stories and books for both children and adults, and find that writing for children is really my niche. Being the eldest of nine children (seven boys and two girls), I've lived through a lot of problems many children live through, and I find these problems excellent examples to include in my books.

Sports have made it possible for me to meet many people with all sorts of life stories, on and off the field, and these are grist for this writer's mill. I'm far beyond playing age now, but I manage to go to both kids' and adult games just to keep up with them, and keep them fresh in my mind.Very few things make me happier than receiving fan letters from boys and girls who write that they had never cared for reading until they started to read my books. That is just about the ultimate in writing for children. I would never trade it for another profession."

Matt Christopher died on September 27, 1997. His legacy is now being carried on by his sons, Duane and Dale Christopher.

Reviews

[Jesse]

was a good book fun read

[Slater Henatay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did a book report on this when I was a little kid and it stuck with me. Honestly, the book is just a whole lot of fun. It's also about one of the best motorsports in existence so you really can't go wrong with that.

[Hudson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the best sport books I have ever read and I want to read all of the other books he has made.

[Tristan Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Then you should’ve known how deep it was.” -Tony’s Dad (p.21) The book Matt Christopher Dirt Bike Racer takes place in a small little town. The book is narrated by Matt Christopher. The main character is Tony, he had to take leadership and be kind and nice to everyone. I liked Tony because he was always so kind and nice and liked to help everyone he can. Lug and Skitch where my least favorite characters because they were mean to everyone and mean to Tony and his friends and Lug and Skitch liked to tease people and they stole things from other people. “You know, you’re the first kid I’ve talked with in years?” -Mr. Perkins this is my favorite quote because Tony found this dirt bike when he was scuba diving and he needed to earn money to fix the dirt bike all up. So, Tony created a newspaper and this old guy had Tony mow the lawn and pick weeds and when Tony was done with the job they went in the house and Mr. Perkins and Tony talked about the next he was going to come. Mr. Perkins than said you are the first kid I have seen in years.

[Bspencer22 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirt Bike Racer is about a boy who likes to scuba dive. During one of his scuba diving adventures he finds a dirt bike and wants to race it. But first he has to get a job to repair all the ruined parts.
My favorite character was a boy named Ronnie. The reason he is my favorite is because he started liking dirt bikes and racing them. A guy paid a little boy in Ron's racing group to ruin his race and wreck him.
There was nothing about the book that I didn't like.
I think if your young and like dirt bikes you would like it. That's why I really liked it so much. It is because I have been around dirt bikes for a few years and raced them. I have even worked on them.
This book was very interesting to me. Dirt Bike Racer was the third book I have read written by Matt Christopher.

[Ronan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a realistic fiction book. I think this book was cool to read about and how he has a passion for dirt bikes like me. The book started off with him finding a bike at the bottom of a lake and he couldn't believe it. He started to spend his money on fixing the dirt bike to race with it. Soon he was set of racing and had a fun time.

[Keelan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tony is my favorite character. don’t know why he is my favorite character.
What surprised me the most on the bottom of the lake he found a dirt bike!
I would not change ending because. he looses a dirt bike race

[Cory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the book because this kid worked hard to get a dirt bike and race hard.

[Cole Bergeron]

Amazing book, motivational and easy to read

[Kory]

it is good

[Blake Archibald]

I would give this book a 5 star rating because its warm, descriptive, and it pulls you in.

[Colton]

I have not finished the book but just hearing he found a mini bike at bottom of the lake was cool and bike belonged to a person how was 20 years old and was the best biker around he was pumped Ron and Tony brought the bike to shore but Tony remembered something there was a storm Jony jo has a houseboat and a lot of stuff and a dirt bike. Ron brought it home and his dad saw him and Tony cleaning it and his dad let him keep it his mom did not like it and his dad came out with the upper end. Tony asked his brother to come over and tell Ron what parts he needs to fix it up. Now Ron put a add on the news paper and heb got a request from an old lady but it wa a housekeeper and it turns out that it was the richest guy in the town he owns a huge house and he will pay Ron 10$ an hour he has to start the next day and he has to mow the long cut the straw berry bushes and a lot more Ron really wants to fix his bike and maybe what he is getting paid could let him buy a new one but in my opinion he should keep the bike he has now and save the money person thinks he should besides Tony and Mike they want him to get a new one his dad loves the idea to work for it and he is determined to do it he is so excited lets see what comes tonight.Wait he has to start at 6:30 in the morning. and now someone broke into his house and stole some stuff and they found the guy it was the same guy how pushed him off his BIKE.

[Geovanny ocampo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you like dirt bikes well this is the kind of book for you. the genre of my book is realistic fiction. my opinion of this book is its terrific.

the setting of my book is at Ordell new York. its important because that's where Ron found the mini bike and because of that Ron found out his talent for racing. Also Ron the main character wanted to fix his mini bike but he couldn't afford the parts he needed for his mini bike so he started a job wanted ad then he started working for some rich guy. the type of conflict of my book is person vs person because Ron has to against a person who can threaten his dream for racing.

this book was really good. i like the way the author describes the mini bike. then you can know what type of bike it is. also i agree that Ron should pay for his own parts. since he wanted to keep the mini bike.

I also think this book was great. also i was surprised when Ron found the mini bike in the lake. it surprised me because its weird that he found something expensive in the middle of the lake.

I think i would give this book 4 stars because it wasn't the greatest book i read but it was a really great book. I think i would recommend this book to someone who really enjoys races and mini bikes. So if you do like this type of book I suggest this is the kind of book for you.

[BradleyDunkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was pretty good. I gave this book a 4 because i thought it could of had a little better ending. One of the reasons I liked this book was because i like to ride dirt bikes to so i could kind of relate to riding the dirt bike. Another reason I liked the book is because I don't know much about scuba diving and they kind of tell a little bit about what they need and how you scuba dive a little bit. I can also relate to how he was nervous right before he raced because when i'm up to like even play a sport I get a little bit nervous. A little summary of the book is this kid and his friend want to go scuba diving and the one kids dad is a scuba diver so they go to this lake and scuba dive and they see something shiny at the bottom so they dive down and get it and it is a mini bike. So they get it to land and the kids neighbor comes and gets it for him. They get it home and he tells his mom and dad about it and they said he could keep it but he has to pay for the parts. So the kid gets a job and the kid gets it running and gets to go and race with it.

[Ace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dirt Bike Racer follows the adventures of Ronnie Baker, a 12 year old boy who fishes a dirt bike out a lake and decides to get it back in working condition. The story is fun and easy to read, perfect for younger kids who are interested in dirt bikes or action sports. The dirt bike action is well-choreographed; a background in dirt biking isn't necessary to appreciate or enjoy this book as most things are explained (though knowing more about them doesn't hurt!). Also fun is how dated the book is -- the copyright date is 1979 and it's fun to see how different it was from my childhood (I grew up in the '90s). The book sets the time period well.

The ending seemed a little rushed -- it ended very quickly and without all that much resolution, though Ronnie does stand up to one of his bullies. I wish he had dealt with Mark a little bit more, though!

Overall, a fun read for young kids.

[Riley.b · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this book Dirt Bike Racer 3 stars because it did not end vary well and it could have improved on the details. I liked how there was a lot of excitement. One thing was when they found a dirt bike in a lake. 2nd thing was when the mane character gets second place in a big race. An old man has Ronny do work for him and gets the bike in tip top shape and then races it hard and works hard. If you are looking at the book I would read it.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow this book managed to avoid the cliche endings that I half expected would happen, and created a very real story about very real people. I found myself caught up in the thrill of the race and couldn't wait to read what happened next. I can see why these books are recommended for reluctant reader boys, as the story is well done and doesn't feel dated in the least despite being out awhile. I'll definitely read more by the author.

[Gabe S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book 5 stars because it was a really good book. I could relate to all the stuff in the book especially when the kid found something and wanted to keep it I've done that before. I also like these book because they're the only ones im able to read. Thats why I gave it 5 stars.

[Catherine Mustread · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great kids sports writer!

[Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book i really like it. is about sports in a motor bike!
you should read it.

[A.J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was a book that i just grabbed to read over an airplane ride for vacation.

[carter Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because I love dirt bikes.

[Cole S · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like the book because I like dirt bikes.it was a good book.

[Drew Lineweaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is a good book

[Brandon Lauder]

i love this book because i can kind of relate to him because i started with no dirtbike and no skills but now i am a vary good rider and at the top of the food chain kind of like him

[Logan]

It was good

[Austin H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book it was very interesting

[Brock Orr]

It is very good so far.

[Branden Pittman]

Dirt racer by Matt Christopher was a overall a good book that was actually easy to understand and read. Dirt racer starts out kinda slow but starts as a boy who loves scuba diving. Him and his buddy went out scuba diving with his dad. As the dive gets under way there is something shiny that catches their eyes but the problem is, is that it is in the bottom of the lake. Both boys go down to the bottom of the lake and help each other to get it up on land. Once they figure out that it is a dirt bike they try even harder. One of the neighbors kids showed interest and took the bike home and had a discussion with his parents.
After discussing about keeping it with his parents they come to a conclusion that he can keep it as long as he pays for all the parts to get it back up and running. The boy takes it upon himself to find a job because he really wanted to get it running again. He gets a job and gets it back to running.
I really enjoyed reading this book because I race motocross. I know the passion for the sport of motocross. I can also relate to being on the gates right before the race for the first time. I know the feeling of being nervous while your adrenaline is pumping. There are so many thoughts going through your mind right when you get lined up and the light goes straight to yellow which means you have like 20 seconds til the light goes green, from when the light goes green there are 3 to 5 seconds then the gates drop. I would recommend this book to anyone that is a motorsports type of person.