Built for Speed

Layla and the Bots #2

by Vicky Fang, Christine Nishiyama (Illustrations)

Ready, set, go! Layla and the Bots are heading to the races!

Blossom Valley is hosting a go-kart race! The go-karts are provided for all the kids in town. Layla and the Bots can't wait for race day! But one racer, Tina, needs their help. She needs a new cart that uses hand-controls and other cool features. Layla and the Bots know just what to do... they will build her a brand-new cart that's even faster than her wheelchair! But will Tina's go-kart have enough speed to win the race?

Genres: Childrens, Graphic Novels, Stem, Chapter Books, Disability, Science Fiction, Sports

80 pages, Hardcover

Published August 4, 2020

About the author

Vicky Fang is the author of the Layla and the Bots chapter books series, the Best Buddies early reader series, the I Can Code board book series, and the picture book Invent-a-Pet. She is the author-illustrator of Friendbots, AlphaBot, and the forthcoming Ava Lin and One Mad Cat series. A former Google product designer, she now writes and illustrates children’s books full-time. Vicky Fang lives in California. You can learn more at vickyfang.com.

Reviews

[Jenna (Falling Letters) · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much to love in this book!

- Thoughtful protagonist Layla uses her skills and knowledge to help her friend Tina
- Tina uses a wheelchair and can't participate in the go kart races: Layla asks Nina what kind of modifications Nina would like to be able to drive a go kart
- Works through processes of experimentation, trial and error, teamwork, collaboration
- Colourful, cute and crisp illustrations, including children with diverse skin colours (I didn't read book one so I don't know if Layla's identity has been labelled, but she is clearly illustrated as a person of colour)
- Adorable robots who are also smart and helpful

[Beth Voecks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story was uplifting and the art is adorable! I love the Bots!!

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was adorable (those illustrations!!) and dealt with accessibility in a fun and non-judgemental way. Go Layla!

[Jasmine]

Read for work.

[Calli Leventis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is trying to do a lot. It felt a little clunky to me. I loved the inclusion of a character in a wheelchair--and while I think Layla was helpful and took Tina's opinion and experience into consideration, I wish Tina had been more central to the design of her own go-kart. That would have taken the book from passing exposure of child-with-disabilities to a book where kids with disabilities can see themselves in a central role.

Ultimately, really clunky--trying to incorporate cute robots, STEM, design, rock bands?, disability awareness, etc. while also being "easy to read" (hint--it's not really), it was not particularly anything.

More of a late 2nd early 3rd book for vocab, but something younger kids would be interested in.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vicky's work is AMAZING. All of the Layla books weave design thinking organically into the story line. I would actually even use these books to help students pick out parts of the design thinking process. It is really just an iterative flow to problem solve, which they can follow just like Layla! I've read #1 and #2 in this series now - they each have other points of interest and expand background knowledge around systems thinking. In Built for Speed we see a story crafted around go karting and which shows 1) how a problem by the mayor can be (partially) solved by providing parts for the kids and 2) how events, materials and rules can be tweaked to honor all abilities in a creative way.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Layla and the Bots are slotted to perform at a go-kart race. They are excited to watch the race, but find that one of the would-be contestants can't race because she can't use her feet to control the gas and brakes. Can Layla and the Bots modify a go-kart so Tina can race?

I love that Layla and the Bots are helping a girl in a wheelchair get the opportunity to race too. There's some great problem solving of very real engineering issues along the way, and problem solving about how to make the race fair for all after Tina gets this souped up kart. A fun little graphic novel that introduces kids to ways STEM skills can be used to help people.

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This early readers chapter book is so cute! The inclusivity with Layla and her bots helping build a new go-kart for Tina. Tina needs a wheelchair to get around and feels very left out when the other kids get to race. Layla is the only one who notices, and with the help of her bots, sets out to make it a fun day for everyone.

I read this with my seven-year-old before bedtime, which may have been a bit of a mistake because he got very excited by the book! He loved the kart customization sequence and how the bots are specialized but an essential part of the team. I thought the whole thing was cute and fun.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy chapter books are so needed for my high level readers in Kdg and 1st grade who really want to borrow chapter books. I do not have many leveled readers (i.e. Step Into Reading) as they always got beat up too fast to justify keeping them in circulation. Scholastic has solved this problem for me with the Acorn series. Layla is notable for her skill around race cars and robots. Her friends and associates are a diverse group of folks, some in wheelchairs, even. (Not expected at a racing circuit story, but certainly well received!)

My students really like Layla, so that is the best review I can give to anyone in charge of buying books for a school or classroom collection.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the format and illustrations ("kind of like a comic book!" said kiddo) and relatively low amount of text on the page; wish Tina had gotten a more active role, and not sure a jetpack would be legal ;)

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Branches series by Scholastic are killin’ it! The second book in the Layla and the Bots series is, yet again, absolutely fantastic. Creative, inclusive, and fundorable in every way!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 7 year old said this was a fun book (and really quick). He’s looking forward to reading the next two books.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overall book to help kids understand how to think through problems and not to give up when an obstacle gets in their way. Love how Layla is an inventor and a rock star. I think I wanted to be both too when I was Layla's age. ;-)

[Sarahs Reads ToKids]

My second grade daughter's name is Layla and we always get books that have our name in the title. My daughter enjoys this series and I liked this book.

[Brooke Shackelford · Rating 4 out of 5]

My boys and I enjoyed book #2 of this series. They like the robots and their sounds and I like the STEM connections.

[MaryAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting example of accessibility and leveling the playing field for those with disabilities.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engineering and inclusivity? Can it get any better!

[Markus Seaberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I t was a cool little book for children.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super cute story on how to be more inclusive for people with disabilities! My 5 year old loves this series!

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Layla, an inventor and rock band leader, and her bots are here with there second work. This time, they are five days away from the show they are going to put on at the end of the go kart race event. But as they are at the track they notice Tina in her wheelchair. Turns out that Tina wants to race but none of the go karts are accessible for her. Layla and her bots start working on designing one that will.

Like the first one, I really enjoyed the Layla's process of finding a problem and engineering a solution from research, execution, trial and error, setback, and retrying until completion of product. An added bonus is that this is all done to help someone. Recommend to lower elementary readers who like working with their hands to design or produce.