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The Car
Neglected by his parents, fourteen-year-old Terry Anders is used to taking care of things on his own. He even manages to assemble a car kit by himself. When the car is finished, Terry sets off from Cleveland to Portland in search of an uncle he barely remembers. Along the way, he is joined by a wise Vietnam vet who turns his journey into an adventure in learning.
Each book includes a reader's guide.
Each book includes a reader's guide.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
196 people are currently reading
852 people want to read
About the author
Gary Paulsen
408 books3,978 followersGary James Paulsen was an American writer of children's and young adult fiction, best known for coming-of-age stories about the wilderness. He was the author of more than 200 books and wrote more than 200 magazine articles and short stories, and several plays, all primarily for teenagers. He won the Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1997 for his lifetime contribution in writing for teens.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 282 reviews
May 11, 2022
Like many of Gary Paulsen's novels, The Car has much to do with the author sorting out his own life by telling similar stories for young readers, sifting the wheat from the chaff to gain perspective on what it all means. Life is a complicated, sometimes ugly mess to comb through; we can't be sure of our own motives and intentions, let alone figure out how other people work and comment authoritatively on their journey. But Gary Paulsen never quits trying to understand, and in 1994 The Car became his latest story dealing with the harsh and ambiguous realities of life. Terry Anders is only fourteen years old when his quarrelsome parents both ditch him, neither aware the other parent has also deserted. That leaves Terry alone in their rundown house, with a dwindling food supply and emergency cash stash that won't last if he uses it to pay bills. Terry also has a half-assembled kit car on hand that a deadbeat customer once gave Terry's professional-mechanic father as partial payment for working on the guy's truck. Terry's father rejected it and demanded cash, but the man skipped out and left the half-built kit car, which Terry's father keeps around as a reminder to take payment upfront before ever working on a car. Luckily, Terry inherited his father's knack for mechanics, and a few days spent assembling the Blakely Bearcat produces a drivable vehicle. Terry can't legally drive at his age, but he's not going to let that stop him from hitting the open road. He's on his own now.
Life on the move is new to Terry, but a sudden rainstorm over his topless car leads him into the company of a Vietnam War veteran and vagabond named Waylon, who has the savvy to keep Terry from getting nabbed by cops for underage driving. Waylon goes along with Terry's vague plan to drive from his home area of Cleveland, Ohio to Oregon to connect with an uncle he hasn't seen in years. Eventually Waylon earns his teen driver's trust, and Terry agrees to make a quick stop in Omaha, Nebraska to visit an old friend who can calm Waylon down after the middle-aged former soldier gets in a serious tussle with a pair of miscreants on the road. The addition of Wayne is just what Terry and Waylon's westward expedition needed: he is as wise and caring as Waylon, a fellow Vietnam vet who knows how it feels to woo death in the shadowy realm of a foreign jungle. Waylon doesn't fly off the handle often, but when he does it's helpful to have Wayne there to nip it in the bud. The two aren't scholarly men in any formal sense, but they harbor deep love for all that is America, and a desire to impart that love to Terry. The drive to Oregon turns into a road trip filled with incredible natural sights and unforgettable nights on the town, and Terry couldn't ask for two better tour guides.
An afternoon spent in a religious commune with a sect that strictly separates girls and women from menfolk; a sightseeing aside to the location of Custer's Last Stand in Montana; a run-in or two with aggressive guys who aren't afraid of Waylon and Wayne like they should be, like Terry knows they should be because he's seen the physical devastation these vets are capable of inflicting in the blink of an eye. These are the experiences on the road that Terry never knew he wanted, and wouldn't have had without Waylon and Wayne to open his eyes to the awesome variety of Americana from coast to coast. What was Terry's old life like, anyway? He hardly remembers after a week driving the highways with Waylon, Wayne riding always nearby on his gorgeous motorcycle he calls Baby. Where is their final destination, and how will they know when they arrive? Maybe there is no fixed terminus on a journey like this. Maybe every moment on the road is its own purpose, a memory Terry will hold onto long after parting ways with Waylon and Wayne. But how will that parting occur? Will it be a happy goodbye, or tragic? That's what we're left to find out in the rest of this story. Until you ease the vehicle to a stop on the last page, you'll never know.
Waylon's lifestyle would appear aimless to most settle-down types, but he doesn't wander America's byways for no reason. "I am learning", he says to those who ask what he's doing with himself. "He tried to learn from every single thing he did or that happened to him or around him or of him. If asked he would say he learned from wars and flowers, weather and bugs, windows and rocks, sticks, cities, prisons, mountains, curbs, women, children, and liars." A wise individual never ends the learning process, or limits their own education by thinking themselves above being taught by even the lowest person or thing. Everyone has a lesson to teach that you won't get anywhere else, and being too haughty to learn it is to your own shame. As Waylon tells Terry, "You want to stay hungry...to learn. You get full, you get sleepy, lazy; you get lazy, you don't learn." Once the desire to expand your horizons abates, your love of life declines, and a person used to going at life full-throttle is on their way to a devastating fall if they become nonchalant. "You never beat the game," Waylon warns Terry after skinning a roomful of poker players out of big money, all through skill and guile, no cheating involved. Waylon knows when to walk away. "You go in, take what you need, get out. Never stay too long and never, never try to whip the game. Stay there too long and they figure you out, start chewing at the corners on you, know your betting. Then maybe two, three of them get together and whipsaw you." You have to be crafty as a fox when trying anything in the gray areas of societal decorum, anything that can get you in trouble if it lands wrong. You won't dodge every bullet fired at you, so limit the amount of lead shot in your direction. It's part of life's infinite design of learning, and The Car is a piece of that design for perceptive readers. In that way, at least, it's classic Gary Paulsen.
"Life..., he thought. "Life rolls funny if you don't watch it."
—The Car, P. 119
This book isn't as meaningful as The Foxman, Tiltawhirl John, Hatchet, or The Haymeadow, nor is it as profoundly emotional as Puppies, Dogs, and Blue Northers: Reflections on Being Raised by a Pack of Sled Dogs or The Rifle, but it's a good, thoughtful read. I'm giving it two and a half stars, and considered rounding up to three. This is the sort of story I hope for when I pick up a Gary Paulsen novel, and readers who are partial to low-key adventure and pervasive philosophical flourishes will appreciate The Car. I'm confident you'll learn something from it.
Life on the move is new to Terry, but a sudden rainstorm over his topless car leads him into the company of a Vietnam War veteran and vagabond named Waylon, who has the savvy to keep Terry from getting nabbed by cops for underage driving. Waylon goes along with Terry's vague plan to drive from his home area of Cleveland, Ohio to Oregon to connect with an uncle he hasn't seen in years. Eventually Waylon earns his teen driver's trust, and Terry agrees to make a quick stop in Omaha, Nebraska to visit an old friend who can calm Waylon down after the middle-aged former soldier gets in a serious tussle with a pair of miscreants on the road. The addition of Wayne is just what Terry and Waylon's westward expedition needed: he is as wise and caring as Waylon, a fellow Vietnam vet who knows how it feels to woo death in the shadowy realm of a foreign jungle. Waylon doesn't fly off the handle often, but when he does it's helpful to have Wayne there to nip it in the bud. The two aren't scholarly men in any formal sense, but they harbor deep love for all that is America, and a desire to impart that love to Terry. The drive to Oregon turns into a road trip filled with incredible natural sights and unforgettable nights on the town, and Terry couldn't ask for two better tour guides.
An afternoon spent in a religious commune with a sect that strictly separates girls and women from menfolk; a sightseeing aside to the location of Custer's Last Stand in Montana; a run-in or two with aggressive guys who aren't afraid of Waylon and Wayne like they should be, like Terry knows they should be because he's seen the physical devastation these vets are capable of inflicting in the blink of an eye. These are the experiences on the road that Terry never knew he wanted, and wouldn't have had without Waylon and Wayne to open his eyes to the awesome variety of Americana from coast to coast. What was Terry's old life like, anyway? He hardly remembers after a week driving the highways with Waylon, Wayne riding always nearby on his gorgeous motorcycle he calls Baby. Where is their final destination, and how will they know when they arrive? Maybe there is no fixed terminus on a journey like this. Maybe every moment on the road is its own purpose, a memory Terry will hold onto long after parting ways with Waylon and Wayne. But how will that parting occur? Will it be a happy goodbye, or tragic? That's what we're left to find out in the rest of this story. Until you ease the vehicle to a stop on the last page, you'll never know.
Waylon's lifestyle would appear aimless to most settle-down types, but he doesn't wander America's byways for no reason. "I am learning", he says to those who ask what he's doing with himself. "He tried to learn from every single thing he did or that happened to him or around him or of him. If asked he would say he learned from wars and flowers, weather and bugs, windows and rocks, sticks, cities, prisons, mountains, curbs, women, children, and liars." A wise individual never ends the learning process, or limits their own education by thinking themselves above being taught by even the lowest person or thing. Everyone has a lesson to teach that you won't get anywhere else, and being too haughty to learn it is to your own shame. As Waylon tells Terry, "You want to stay hungry...to learn. You get full, you get sleepy, lazy; you get lazy, you don't learn." Once the desire to expand your horizons abates, your love of life declines, and a person used to going at life full-throttle is on their way to a devastating fall if they become nonchalant. "You never beat the game," Waylon warns Terry after skinning a roomful of poker players out of big money, all through skill and guile, no cheating involved. Waylon knows when to walk away. "You go in, take what you need, get out. Never stay too long and never, never try to whip the game. Stay there too long and they figure you out, start chewing at the corners on you, know your betting. Then maybe two, three of them get together and whipsaw you." You have to be crafty as a fox when trying anything in the gray areas of societal decorum, anything that can get you in trouble if it lands wrong. You won't dodge every bullet fired at you, so limit the amount of lead shot in your direction. It's part of life's infinite design of learning, and The Car is a piece of that design for perceptive readers. In that way, at least, it's classic Gary Paulsen.
"Life..., he thought. "Life rolls funny if you don't watch it."
—The Car, P. 119
This book isn't as meaningful as The Foxman, Tiltawhirl John, Hatchet, or The Haymeadow, nor is it as profoundly emotional as Puppies, Dogs, and Blue Northers: Reflections on Being Raised by a Pack of Sled Dogs or The Rifle, but it's a good, thoughtful read. I'm giving it two and a half stars, and considered rounding up to three. This is the sort of story I hope for when I pick up a Gary Paulsen novel, and readers who are partial to low-key adventure and pervasive philosophical flourishes will appreciate The Car. I'm confident you'll learn something from it.
December 19, 2023
3/5⭐️
someone that i really care about recommended this book to me because it is there comfort book and i absolutely love reading other people’s comfort books because i feel like it gives so much insight into who that person is. this definitely isn’t a book that i would have picked up by myself, but i was pleasantly surprised with the journey that it took and the characters and the lessons that it introduced.
“you want to stay hungry...to learn. you get full, you get sleepy, lazy; you get lazy, you don't learn.
someone that i really care about recommended this book to me because it is there comfort book and i absolutely love reading other people’s comfort books because i feel like it gives so much insight into who that person is. this definitely isn’t a book that i would have picked up by myself, but i was pleasantly surprised with the journey that it took and the characters and the lessons that it introduced.
“you want to stay hungry...to learn. you get full, you get sleepy, lazy; you get lazy, you don't learn.
March 11, 2022
It was kind of boring at the beginning and then it got better but at the end it was pretty good.
March 5, 2018
I’m reading the book The Car by Gary Paulsen. In my opinion, it is a great book. In the book there is a kid named Terry. Terry’s parents left him. So he found a kit car in his garage and he puts it together. He calls it the Cat and he is on his wayto his uncles he finds someone on the way and picks him up. Then a little later in the story someone throws a bottle at the Cats window and shatters it. I like how there was suspense and action. One other thing I liked about the book is that the author was descriptive when explaining something. One thing that I didn't like is how the book was sort of boring in the beginning but most books are like that, but other than the boring begining it was a great book. I would recommend this book to a friend and I would recommend it to anyone else that likes books by Gary Paulsen.
May 16, 2024
I didn't like this book a lot, it was a book that was for one who likes adventure, history, and trukin'.
I thought the book had a good plot and story but I wasn't very interested. I found my self getting lost in my reading. I got confused at the memory parts of this book. I did like that you keep meeting new people through out the book, they also told you what they were always doing and how the different characters felt.
I thought the book had a good plot and story but I wasn't very interested. I found my self getting lost in my reading. I got confused at the memory parts of this book. I did like that you keep meeting new people through out the book, they also told you what they were always doing and how the different characters felt.
March 15, 2022
The book was a bit heart wrenching at the start but then lighted up as the book went on. Some parts in the book is give details about stuff that is going to happen later in the book but its not really in your face. When he starts to head west he ran into waylon and they clicked right off the bat so maybe waylon is he uncle but just don't recall him yet. waylon's friend sounds a bit weird and a bit unmedacated at some points in the book. Over all The Car is a really good book and it touches on some hard topics that kids go through with their parents.
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June 4, 2018The car was a really interesting book. The two old mysterious vetarns that live by the go. Terry is just a young kid abonded by bother parents and nothing but a car, some equipment, and the road ahead of him. They go on this journey and its really fun to read. I reccomend this book to anyone who likes an adventure.
March 18, 2023
The Car by Gary Paulsen is a really good book and i well written. I liked the plot of the story, but it was like the booked was unfinished. The ending of the book almost seemed like a cliff hanger. At first it was about Terry traveling west to find his uncle hes only meet once seen his parents left him unknowingly. But when he met Waylon and Wayne it's like it wasn't about that anymore but was about going on these advantures and teaching Terry things about life. And having the full excipernce of 'trucking' as they call it. But i really wanted Terry to find his uncle. In a way he found a uncle because he called waylon his uncle and Waylon did act as a parent figure to him. Waylon really just took care of him the hole time. Helped him avoid cops, He also offered to pay for gas and food also the hotel room, Also protected him in bad situations. Over all The Car is a great book to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2018
The part of the book that caught my eye was that the destination was Oregon. I honestly have no interest in cars but this book actually turned out more interesting then I thought. I really like the determination the kid showed at building that car and getting across the country.
March 14, 2022
Started too slow for my taste and was slightly boring but the ending was good. The book was well developed but could use more action.
April 15, 2010
Gary Paulsen always seems to write books that can captivate a reader, and The Car is no exception. I really enjoyed how The Car actually teaches you a few random facts as Terry and Waylon, and eventually Wayne, go around the country learning things. First off, the book does a good job at portraying life on the road, but there are a few unrealistic things in the book. Probably the most convenient and unrealistic one is that both of Terry's parents leave him on the same exact day because they cannot stand the other parent. Really, what are the odds of both of Terry's parents leaving him the exact same day. It is the most unrealistic thing I could ever hear or read in my life. Another unrealistic thing for standards of today is when Terry fixes the car to leave the home and go to his uncle, that he actually let's Waylon, his main traveling partner, into his car. I mean, maybe back where the books time period is, this was normal or acceptable. I just can't see a fourteen year old boy accepting an older hippie into his car. That makes me really question the choices of Terry. However, if you can get past all of this, then you will truly love the car. The way it has Terry, Waylon, and Wayne going through a life on the road with Waylon and Wayne teaching Terry the way is pretty amazing. Not only that, but some of the more intense scenes where Waylon and Wayne get really angry make you view Waylon and Wayne in a different light. It really makes them become more 3D to the reader. The Car is definitely a worth while book that makes you think about some of your own actions as well as the ones of Terry, Waylon, and Wayne.
October 13, 2015
The Car by Gary Paulsen was a great book filled with exciting moments. There was a lot of suspense in this book and some moments like the fights really made you think. The characters are amazing and diverse. They each have their own interesting backgrounds and traits. All the characters heavily contribute to the plot, not only the main character. Also, after reading just a couple of pages, you will want to read more because of the exciting events that keep on making you ask "What's going to happen next?" However so many aspects of the book are great, the plot still seems a bit to open-ended. It didn't exactly have a final solution, it was just telling the story of a 14 year olds adventure. The book also starts out a little vague in its plot. I think it would've been better if they described more of what happened instead of giving us all the information at once. The events in the middle of the story however are amazing. These are the events that really make you want to know whats going to happen next happen next. The main characters growth is also great. The book did a great job on showing how he has changed. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes action/adventure books because of the incredible journey here.
February 10, 2017
So I decided to re-read this book basically on a whim. I read it once or twice when I was about 12 or 13 and really liked it then and wanted to see if it was as good as I remembered.
A simple way to describe this book is... too short. This book could have easily been twice as long as it was. I still enjoyed it just as much as I did when I was younger, but this time I was kind of confused as to why he chose to end the book where he did. It almost seems like Paulsen had a deadline and just turned in what he had done instead of actually finishing the book. That being said, I still loved the characters and how Wayne and Waylon tried to help out Terry, a kid that probably reminded them of themselves when they were returning from Vietnam, just trying to figure out what life was really all about.
A simple way to describe this book is... too short. This book could have easily been twice as long as it was. I still enjoyed it just as much as I did when I was younger, but this time I was kind of confused as to why he chose to end the book where he did. It almost seems like Paulsen had a deadline and just turned in what he had done instead of actually finishing the book. That being said, I still loved the characters and how Wayne and Waylon tried to help out Terry, a kid that probably reminded them of themselves when they were returning from Vietnam, just trying to figure out what life was really all about.
October 17, 2012
I feel like there should've been a part 2 to this book because at the end they end up in Montana (or something, I can't remember) and then after the characters leave this restaurant and move on to portland, oregon, the story just kind of... ends and I was disappointed because I wanted to hear more from this story. it was a great book from one of my favorite authors.
July 11, 2012
I read this some years ago and still remember the impact it had on me. I started thinking like I was 14 again. It is a fun read for any guy who dreamed of cars and adventure as a kid.
July 21, 2025
After finishing Hatchet, I decided that I didn't want to rush through the rest of Brian's Saga, so I decided to check out Gary Paulsen's other books and this one caught my attention.
Like most of his books, this deals with a young kid, alone, and having to take care of himself as he sets off on an adventure. I do love the premise of this one though. It's about a 14-year-old kid who learns how to build his own kit car and goes on a cross country road trip! How awesome is that? Anyways, he meets a Vietnam drifter and later on, his other Vietnam war buddy turned hippie. The trio sets off, "truckin" through different places and talking about life and the history of America. It's like a young adult version of "On the Road" meets "Easy Rider".
I really enjoyed reading about the kid figuring things out early on like how to put the car together and teaching himself how to drive. Then, instantly getting rained on when he starts on his journey haha! But once the vets come in, Terry doesn't really struggle as much. In fact, he kinda takes a backseat in the second half of the story. I did love the vets though, they were a lot of fun, but I kinda wish we had more scenes with Terry learning how to handle certain situations by himself.
Also, this is definitely a mature read for younger audiences. I say mature because there is a lot of talking in this novel and it's a bit of a slow burn. And it is very much a "boy's book" in that you have a "coming of age" story about a boy learning to be a man, but nothing toxic. Both of the older men take on the role of the masculine surrogate father figure and there's a lot of talk about cars and gambling and war. And there are some scenes involving naked women (one is a nude model, the other is just some pictures), but I didn't find these problematic since they weren't that graphic or sexual, but that's just something to keep in mind.
Despite the masculine approach to this, it's surprisingly progressive for the time. This was written during the height of the AIDS crisis. But I can tell a lot of conservative parents are gonna have issues with it because they "don't agree with it" and all, but whatever. I do find that ironic, given that one of the themes in this book (and many others) is being open to learning and understanding what you don't know and not judging people. This is really a book about people who are outsiders, but people who are craving to learn something, which I appreciated.
My only issue is that the book felt way too short. I listened to it on audiobook, so I was surprised when the music started and the credits came up. It felt like we were still in the middle of the journey before it kinda ended abruptly.
Nonetheless, it's still a compelling read/listen. And there's a kind of coziness to it, like watching an old movie, the kind that they don't make anymore, as they say. It's definitely fulfilling that teenage escapist adventure I craved so much in my younger years so I'll revisit this in the future for sure.
Looking forward to reading more Gary Paulsen!
Like most of his books, this deals with a young kid, alone, and having to take care of himself as he sets off on an adventure. I do love the premise of this one though. It's about a 14-year-old kid who learns how to build his own kit car and goes on a cross country road trip! How awesome is that? Anyways, he meets a Vietnam drifter and later on, his other Vietnam war buddy turned hippie. The trio sets off, "truckin" through different places and talking about life and the history of America. It's like a young adult version of "On the Road" meets "Easy Rider".
I really enjoyed reading about the kid figuring things out early on like how to put the car together and teaching himself how to drive. Then, instantly getting rained on when he starts on his journey haha! But once the vets come in, Terry doesn't really struggle as much. In fact, he kinda takes a backseat in the second half of the story. I did love the vets though, they were a lot of fun, but I kinda wish we had more scenes with Terry learning how to handle certain situations by himself.
Also, this is definitely a mature read for younger audiences. I say mature because there is a lot of talking in this novel and it's a bit of a slow burn. And it is very much a "boy's book" in that you have a "coming of age" story about a boy learning to be a man, but nothing toxic. Both of the older men take on the role of the masculine surrogate father figure and there's a lot of talk about cars and gambling and war. And there are some scenes involving naked women (one is a nude model, the other is just some pictures), but I didn't find these problematic since they weren't that graphic or sexual, but that's just something to keep in mind.
Despite the masculine approach to this, it's surprisingly progressive for the time. This was written during the height of the AIDS crisis. But I can tell a lot of conservative parents are gonna have issues with it because they "don't agree with it" and all, but whatever. I do find that ironic, given that one of the themes in this book (and many others) is being open to learning and understanding what you don't know and not judging people. This is really a book about people who are outsiders, but people who are craving to learn something, which I appreciated.
My only issue is that the book felt way too short. I listened to it on audiobook, so I was surprised when the music started and the credits came up. It felt like we were still in the middle of the journey before it kinda ended abruptly.
Nonetheless, it's still a compelling read/listen. And there's a kind of coziness to it, like watching an old movie, the kind that they don't make anymore, as they say. It's definitely fulfilling that teenage escapist adventure I craved so much in my younger years so I'll revisit this in the future for sure.
Looking forward to reading more Gary Paulsen!
October 14, 2022
This book was about how a 14-year-old, Terry, was left by his parents. They both didn’t come back. He was all alone. He liked the peace and quiet because his parent would argue all the time. He would take care of himself only. However, his dad had a car kit in the garage. Terry was never allowed to play with it or build it, but since his dad isn’t home. He decided to build the car, and take it out for a ride. Once he started to build the car he realized that he can go see his “uncle”. Who lives in Cleveland. He decided to go on a road trip to go his “uncle”. He also realized that he doesn’t have a license or a license plate. He still decided to go either way. On his way to his uncles. He sees and man, and the man just jumps in his car, and they have a fun trip together.
The book is actually good. The author gave very good details. However, I didn’t like how they didn’t finish the end. It left it at the cliff hanger, and we don’t know what was going to happen next. I think they should’ve finished the book. However, this book got my attention because Terry was a 14-year-old. Who barely knows how to drive, and doesn’t have a license. I was wondering how he didn’t even get caught. However, when he met Waylon. Waylon was a Vietnam vet, and he had a bad past. When he killed that poor child. I felt so bad for him. He was traumatized. He even gets flashbacks, but he was the best fighter there. He could take down a group of 3 people in one blink. Waylon and Wayne were best friends, but don’t really hang out because Waylon travels. However, I like how Waylon and Wayne show Terry how to learn about the world. They always have his back when needed. Terry wasn’t even worried about his parents. He was living his life. He didn’t care about the past. He was more focus about learning, and his kit car. I think this book is good for other people to read. I think they will like it because it about a 14-year old who is driving, trying to learn about the world. He didn’t even have licenses, and Waylon was there to help him in every situation they had. I think this book really is good for school because it shows that Terry had a mentor who helped him out with everything. Basically, meaning that there is always going to be someone there for you to help you out. It also shows that even if you had a bad life. You can always change it around, and start young in life.
Do you think that Terry would learn everything in the world?
Do you think if his parents came back, his life would change, or stay the same?
The book is actually good. The author gave very good details. However, I didn’t like how they didn’t finish the end. It left it at the cliff hanger, and we don’t know what was going to happen next. I think they should’ve finished the book. However, this book got my attention because Terry was a 14-year-old. Who barely knows how to drive, and doesn’t have a license. I was wondering how he didn’t even get caught. However, when he met Waylon. Waylon was a Vietnam vet, and he had a bad past. When he killed that poor child. I felt so bad for him. He was traumatized. He even gets flashbacks, but he was the best fighter there. He could take down a group of 3 people in one blink. Waylon and Wayne were best friends, but don’t really hang out because Waylon travels. However, I like how Waylon and Wayne show Terry how to learn about the world. They always have his back when needed. Terry wasn’t even worried about his parents. He was living his life. He didn’t care about the past. He was more focus about learning, and his kit car. I think this book is good for other people to read. I think they will like it because it about a 14-year old who is driving, trying to learn about the world. He didn’t even have licenses, and Waylon was there to help him in every situation they had. I think this book really is good for school because it shows that Terry had a mentor who helped him out with everything. Basically, meaning that there is always going to be someone there for you to help you out. It also shows that even if you had a bad life. You can always change it around, and start young in life.
Do you think that Terry would learn everything in the world?
Do you think if his parents came back, his life would change, or stay the same?
March 25, 2022
It's been a long time since I read a Gary Paulsen book. It's like putting on a pair of old faded jeans. They fit well and are comfortable. That's the way he writes.
The story, on one level, is quite simple. Terry is on a quest, though, like many heroes, he is not entirely clear about the exact goal of his quest. He thinks he will visit his uncle in Oregon, but when he meets Waylon and then Wayne, that plan gets put on the back burner while he experiences life in a way that is completely different and so much more fulfilling than anything he has experienced.
I really enjoyed the way that Waylon has never stopped learning, and that is his guide. Undoubtedly his strong sense of what he considers to be moral and right helps steer him, but it is his quest for knowledge and even more understanding that stands out. That he can share this with Terry is quite wonderful, for who would not benefit from having someone share their love of learning, and ways of learning?
The story, on one level, is quite simple. Terry is on a quest, though, like many heroes, he is not entirely clear about the exact goal of his quest. He thinks he will visit his uncle in Oregon, but when he meets Waylon and then Wayne, that plan gets put on the back burner while he experiences life in a way that is completely different and so much more fulfilling than anything he has experienced.
I really enjoyed the way that Waylon has never stopped learning, and that is his guide. Undoubtedly his strong sense of what he considers to be moral and right helps steer him, but it is his quest for knowledge and even more understanding that stands out. That he can share this with Terry is quite wonderful, for who would not benefit from having someone share their love of learning, and ways of learning?
January 11, 2025
My first ever 5-⭐- read for 2025. 😁😁😁
If you get a chance ... Grab a copy of this book oooohhhh you ain't gon regret it 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
"... things don't die. They just change. The Earth that was here then it's still here, the rocks are still here, the dirt, the sky, the sun- it is still here, all here. So then, are they- the ones on dead and dying ponies. Their cries are still here, it's just a matter of listening for them, hearing them..."
Premise - 5⭐
Plot - 5⭐
Story line - 5⭐
Plot twist - 4⭐
Atmosphere- 5⭐
Characters - 5⭐
Writing style - 4⭐
Execution -5⭐
5 STARS OVERALL 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
One of the few books that will stay with me for a very long long time. Such emotional and impactful novel. The story has a combination of a feel good, bittersweet, poignant and hopeful narrative. It's tackled several significant issues that I was not expecting in the plot. Simple beautiful heartwarming story. It's like drinking delicious hot coffee in a warm rainy night. I'm super glad I read this.
If you get a chance ... Grab a copy of this book oooohhhh you ain't gon regret it 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
"... things don't die. They just change. The Earth that was here then it's still here, the rocks are still here, the dirt, the sky, the sun- it is still here, all here. So then, are they- the ones on dead and dying ponies. Their cries are still here, it's just a matter of listening for them, hearing them..."
Premise - 5⭐
Plot - 5⭐
Story line - 5⭐
Plot twist - 4⭐
Atmosphere- 5⭐
Characters - 5⭐
Writing style - 4⭐
Execution -5⭐
5 STARS OVERALL 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
One of the few books that will stay with me for a very long long time. Such emotional and impactful novel. The story has a combination of a feel good, bittersweet, poignant and hopeful narrative. It's tackled several significant issues that I was not expecting in the plot. Simple beautiful heartwarming story. It's like drinking delicious hot coffee in a warm rainy night. I'm super glad I read this.
November 24, 2025
My son, born 1985, read quite a number of Gary Paulsen books, primarily the the Brian Saga books. Later, I became a Middle School ELA/SS teacher, so I figured I'd give Hatchet a read. I was pleasantly surprised how good it was, even as an adult reader. Fast forward a couple of years and I found myself at the library scanning the Veterans Day table of books and discovered a small book, The Car by Gary Paulsen. I decided to give it a go - I wish I hadn't. Maybe it's me, but I was surprised at how Liberal, with an intentional capital L, Paulsen was. The book sailed along at a furious pace, particularly at the beginning when the Car was built. A little unrealistic, but for 13-15 year olds, it's probably what they would want. I was actually looking for a feel-good story about the beauty of our great country. This book is not that. I would not read this book, and I don't think I would tell my students to read it either.
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January 29, 2024The Car by Gary Paulsen is an amazing read for the young book fan! Adventure, Drama, and a true coming of age story about a young man abandoned by his parents. Left with nothing but the shell of his family home and a shell of a kit car in the garage. Terry Anders, main character, is faced with the the harsh reality that he has to do something if he wants to survive. After a few days of sitting alone and eating the last of his ham and bread, Terry begins to tinker with his fathers Blakely Bearcat kit car in the garage. Through his time tinkering and working on the car; Terry molds a plan in his head to drive the car to his across the country to his Uncles house. Over the course of the rest of the book Terry Anders will come to find himself on the open road learning and growing. Finally, reaching his destination and starting a new life with a new and improved outlook on everything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2018
The realistic fiction novel The Car by Gary Paulsen is an attention grabbing book that I really enjoyed. When Terry wakes up one morning and realizes that his parents have been gone for two days, he finds some interesting things to do. He decides to rebuild his Dad's car that has been sitting in the garage for years, which then as a fourteen year old decides to go drive and leave his old life behind. Through this journey Terry meets plenty of new friends and enemies. He learns a lot about himself, friends, and responsibilities. The author’s descriptive writing technique helps the reader imagine what happens in the book. This book is for anyone who wants a fast read with a whole lot of content.
September 26, 2018
Summary of book: This book The Car, by: Gary paulsen is about a kid who is 14 , gets abandoned, and he finds the car his father never finished building in the garage and decided to build it.
What I thought of the book: I thought the book was OK. The reason it wasn't good, like amazing, is because, I think it could have progressed a lot faster. The point is t was kind of the same parts over and over again, and I understand the author is just trying to get sensory detail but, it was kind of really dry.
Why I rated it ____: I rated it 3 out of 5 stars, because I thought that it was using the same words and phrases, and the same thing was happening over and over again, it was a little stale after two times.
What I thought of the book: I thought the book was OK. The reason it wasn't good, like amazing, is because, I think it could have progressed a lot faster. The point is t was kind of the same parts over and over again, and I understand the author is just trying to get sensory detail but, it was kind of really dry.
Why I rated it ____: I rated it 3 out of 5 stars, because I thought that it was using the same words and phrases, and the same thing was happening over and over again, it was a little stale after two times.
April 16, 2018
I got this book from my mom, who was cleaning out her books. This was a very quick read and ended up being okay. I think it would appeal most to middle grade/YA boys.
This is about a 14 year old boy who parents leave him. He ends up building a car from a car kit and decides to head West on an adventure. On the way he meets some old vets and they end up showing him some old time sites that drive home what it means to be an American.
Overall it was a well written story and was easy to read. It ends right in the middle of things and didn't have much resolution. Still it was decent and I think middle grade to YA boys would probably enjoy it.
This is about a 14 year old boy who parents leave him. He ends up building a car from a car kit and decides to head West on an adventure. On the way he meets some old vets and they end up showing him some old time sites that drive home what it means to be an American.
Overall it was a well written story and was easy to read. It ends right in the middle of things and didn't have much resolution. Still it was decent and I think middle grade to YA boys would probably enjoy it.
May 24, 2018
"The cat left the road at sixty, was airborne three feet, then dropped into a ditch in a whipping sea of grass and dust"(pg 70). in my book whats happening so far is terry parents don't care about what terry does and how he does it, his parents don't really even care a bout him since he was born his parents have always ignored him so he left them in seek to find his uncle. And what I see coming up next in the next chapter is probably them getting caught by the cops. the parts in to book that I am enjoying in the book would probably be the none stop action. and there hasn't relay been any parts I haven't enjoyed. and I do recommend this book for you to read in the future.
January 12, 2021
A BOOK BY GARY PAULSEN
I really enjoyed this book I thought it was a fun and easy read. This is about a 14 year old boy named Terry and he has been abandoned by both of his parents. Their is a old car in his garage and he decides to fix it up and go see his uncle who he barley knows who lives half way cross the country. While on his journey he meets Waylon. Who is basically homeless and gets around by hitchhiking so he joins him on his journey. They go through a ton of struggles along the way. I loved how this book was smaller and easy to read I feel like this could be a simple and comforting book to teens.
I really enjoyed this book I thought it was a fun and easy read. This is about a 14 year old boy named Terry and he has been abandoned by both of his parents. Their is a old car in his garage and he decides to fix it up and go see his uncle who he barley knows who lives half way cross the country. While on his journey he meets Waylon. Who is basically homeless and gets around by hitchhiking so he joins him on his journey. They go through a ton of struggles along the way. I loved how this book was smaller and easy to read I feel like this could be a simple and comforting book to teens.
May 25, 2021
This book is a very good book, that is why I gave it 5/5 stars. The story line is so good, it makes you not want to put the book down, it is a real page-turner! The plot of a 14 year old boy driving a car around is so unique it makes this book so much different then all of the other books that I have read before. Because of the suspense that Terry, the main character of the book could get pulled over at any time and get caught underage driving, it is very suspenseful and makes you not want to stop reading it. The ending was not what I had hoped but it makes a lot of room for a second book to come out and pick up right where the last one left off at.
October 5, 2023
I really liked this read. It really goes to show how much you can learn from just adventuring and meeting new people. Terry first met Waylon, then Wayne and only being with them for a week or so, he wouldn't leave without them. The reason I only gave this a 4 star is because it had way too much back story which I didn't really like. I am more of a present tense guy. Overall, I liked the adventurous theme of the book as they went through atleast 3 different states. In the end, they all stuck together until they couldn't.
May 29, 2024
I borrowed this book from a library when I was a kid and 25-odd years later, it had stuck with me enough that I was able to find it and re-read with a new perspective.
There's youthful excitement aplenty: learning to drive, being away from home and your parents for the first time and having to navigate the world. However, there are some pretty mature themes here too. How war and violence affect men, how we should never stop seeking new experiences and learning new things.
Takes a little bit of time to get into the story and maybe it's a bit too short, but well worth a read.
There's youthful excitement aplenty: learning to drive, being away from home and your parents for the first time and having to navigate the world. However, there are some pretty mature themes here too. How war and violence affect men, how we should never stop seeking new experiences and learning new things.
Takes a little bit of time to get into the story and maybe it's a bit too short, but well worth a read.
May 18, 2017
My reaction to this book was sad when they were talking about how his parents neglected him and they did not care about his well-being. it makes me happy about how positive he was in the situation and the way he dealt with things. it was eally shocking when his mom called him and said she is done, and the dad right after it was really surprising, but what also surprised me was how he was not shocked or sad at all.
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