Overdrive

Kristin Butcher writes novels for young adults. Her most recent works
are Cairo Kelly and the Mann, The Gamma War, The Tomorrow Tunnel, The
Trouble with Liberty, and Zee’s Way.

Sixteen-year-old Jake has just passed his driver’s test. To help him
celebrate the occasion his older brother has lent him his car so that he
can go cruising with his friend Mickey. As the two sit at an
intersection waiting for the light to change, Luke, a former friend of
Jake’s, pulls up alongside in his father’s BMW and starts giving
Jake a bad time. Jake retaliates in kind, and when another red light
stops him at the next intersection, the dispute continues. Luke’s
razzing eventually gets the better of Jake, and when the light turns
green, Jake takes his revenge by leaving Luke in his dust. Too late,
Luke realizes what has happened and puts the pedal to the metal. But
having made his point, Jake has already resumed a safe speed and watches
in horror as Luke zooms by and smashes into another vehicle. Luke knows
he should stay and explain the situation to the authorities, but Mickey
convinces him to bolt. The remainder of the novel focuses on Jake’s
struggle to face up to the role he played in the accident and do the
right thing.

Part of the Orca Sounding series for reluctant teen readers, this story
illustrates the power of peer pressure and how easy it is for good
people to make bad decisions. No doubt teens, especially boys, will be
able to relate to the events in this story. Recommended.