Drive

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7

In this empowering, thrilling middle-grade graphic novel, while restoring a vintage Jaguar a spunky twelve-year-old mechanic discovers the hidden history of the first female racecar driver to race in the Indy 500—sending both on a journey as they navigate sexism and break barriers, showing what can be accomplished with passion, focus, and drive. 

START YOUR ENGINES!  In 1964, Janet Guthrie is on her way to becoming one of the most successful female race car drivers in history—the first ever to qualify for and race in the Indianapolis 500. But the road ahead of her will not be easy. She’ll have to drive with broken bones and in rickety cars, while constantly proving to the press and the racing world that she’s every bit as good as the men on the track.  In 2019, twelve-year-old Alex finds a vintage Jaguar her grandfather never finished restoring. It’s a dream come true for a “car girl,” and she dives into teaching herself how to repair and restore it—with the help of her favorite mechanic’s videos. Alex’s father thinks she’s wasting her time, and the local car community isn’t eager to welcome a girl. But there’s a car show coming up, and Alex is determined to prove her skills.  No matter what gets in their way, Janet and Alex are passionate trailblazers who know that the only way forward is to keep your foot on the gas. Told in alternating timelines, highlighted by two different color palettes (Janet's story is in a limited palette, while Alex's is in full color), Drive is an immersive story of how far we've come and how far we have yet to go.

About the Author

Cynthia L. Copeland is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of more than 25 books for adults and children, including her highly praised graphic memoir, Cub. In the early 1970s, she and her family cheered on the UOP Shadow at racetracks across the Northeast, sparking her broader interest in auto racing – and in the career of driver and trailblazer Janet Guthrie. She lives in New Hampshire with her family.