The Ultimate Driving Book

Starred review from July 1, 2024
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* Berne's cheeky, inviting guide to driving and all things related to automobile ownership offers the basics on driving necessities, such as documentation and emergency supplies, as well as good practices, like purposeful mirror adjustments, care when backing up and parking, interpreting a variety of road signs, and safe driving on freeways. Mishaps with new drivers are an inevitability, and Berne offers advice on flat tires, oil leaks, dead batteries, and what to do in case of a collision. A section titled "How Not to Hit People" addresses driving around bicyclists and pedestrians. Inclement weather and interactions with the police are also important and often overlooked aspects of learning to drive, and each of these sections and topics has colorfully illustrated examples that make the information as digestible as possible. Berne ends the book with important advice about safety when traveling alone, avoiding distracted driving, and never, ever driving while intoxicated. While designed for individual use (there's a page for writing down emergency contacts, insurance number, etc.), this useful and approachable guide offers important driver-safety information superbly pitched to teen readers.

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June 15, 2024
A cheery gathering of tips and advice for freshly licensed young motorists. "You passed! Let's gooooo!" Berne cheers. But before putting the pedal to the metal, she shares a few things to do and know. Some of what follows, such as types of road signs and parallel parking techniques, are covered in typical driver's ed manuals (though here in a format that's far more visually enticing), but other information may not be, such as emergency items to store in the trunk, safety tips for traveling with children and pets, and canny practices on the road and in parking lots. The author covers how to behave when stopped by police, but some of her advice--"The cop will ask for your license, registration, and insurance. Grab those as quickly as you can"--feels out of touch with Black and brown teens' safety concerns. The bulleted checklists of procedures in the wake of collisions of various sorts are handy, but the book focuses more on practical basics: what all those little dashboard lights mean, how to check tire pressure and oil, how to change a tire, and how to gas up or charge vehicles. Berne describes texting while driving as "supremely bad" and strongly discourages it, but readers only learn from the map labeled "Fun Facts" toward the end of the book that it's illegal in 49 states. Nielsen's retro-style blocky illustrations break up and help clarify the text. Not a glove compartment essential but well stocked with helpful bits. (glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 15-18)

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