  | Mystery driver : the story of Alice Johnson and the first soap box derby Author: Tracy, Elizabeth | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
Alice is determined to build the fastest car in the boys-only soap box derby in this empowering true tale of ingenuity, engineering, and the joy of creating your dreams.
| Illustrator: | Aronson, Anna |
Reviews:
School Library Journal (07/01/25)
Booklist (06/01/25)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 07/01/2025 Gr 1–5—Brave Alice Johnson, white with ginger hair, is used to flying through the sky with her pilot father; however, since the Great Depression began there is hardly enough money for basic necessities much less fun—until a soap box derby is planned. But it's only for boys. Johnson is undeterred and, with help from her father, carefully constructs her soap box, gets up before dawn to master piloting it, and comes in third place, surprising everyone (except her father) with her skill and the fact that she is a girl. The illustrations have a soft palette and create an unmistakable feeling of the era while still being sweet and childlike. Back matter, including an explanation of racing physics, a biography, and further details of Johnson's life, give more information for curious readers. VERDICT Another untold story of a girl smashing the patriarchy, this belongs in collections where picture book biographies are popular.—Melisa Bailey - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 06/01/2025 Shining a spotlight on another “hidden hero,” this profile celebrates Alice Johnson, a Dayton, Ohio, child who ignored announcements that the 1933 derby was “a race for . . . boys,” constructed a vehicle in her father’s machine shop, and on the day placed third in her class. Basing the book on archival documents and interviews with Johnson’s family, debut author Tracy offers a dramatic account of the race itself and in the author's note states that Johnson—her direct, blue-eyed gaze conveying properly inspiring levels of courage and self-confidence—won third place the next year as well, but also that girls were formally banned from 1935 until 1971. Along with stressing the crucial importance of sturdy design and of taking repeated practice runs to sharpen driving skills, the author expands on historical events with rich back matter, discussing relevant physics principles such as gravity, friction, and aerodynamics, plus a bibliography and further reading resources. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.
