Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
Fearless: The Story of Racing Legend Louise Smith
by
Barb Rosenstock (Goodreads Author),
Scott Dawson
When Louise Smith started racing cars, most girls weren't even allowed to drive. From her first wild adventure behind the wheel of her daddy's Ford to the dangers and thrills of stock-car tracks across the country, Louise fearlessly paved the way for women in racing and became a NASCAR legend! It takes a lot of courage to be the first, but when you fearlessly follow your d...more
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
October 14th 2010
by Dutton Juvenile
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
63)
Vrooom! Vrooom! Ladies, start your engines! I confess I didn't know a thing about the first woman race car legend Louise Smith until I read Fearless by Barb Rosenstock. This nonfiction picture book biography is told with gusto. As I was reading the story, my teenage son walked by me and commented on the illustrations. The illustrator, Scott Dawson did a bang-up job infusing color and life into the paintings that made up the book.
I thought the book was a delightful read. Rosenstock managed to sw...more
I thought the book was a delightful read. Rosenstock managed to sw...more
This is the story of an amazing woman who refused to listen to society and did her own thing. Louise wanted to race cars at a time when women weren't supposed to even drive cars. Louise races cars during the 1940s and 1950s before NASCAR became the car circuit it is today. She raced, she crashed, and she had the time of her life. The language is exciting. The illustrations suggest speed with every picture just this side of blurry. An author's note at the end of the book provide additional inform...more
Louise Smith's legacy "is the gift of independence, a heart full of courage, and the chance to prove that being a girl should never stop anyone from going anywhere they want...as far and as fast as they can".
Louise Smith had a love of cars and racing before girls had the opportunity to race... or, for that matter, any of the so-called' male-only jobs or hobbies. She loved going fast and she competed well, much to the chagrin of her husband and family. Broken bones, lost races, or male dominance...more
Louise Smith had a love of cars and racing before girls had the opportunity to race... or, for that matter, any of the so-called' male-only jobs or hobbies. She loved going fast and she competed well, much to the chagrin of her husband and family. Broken bones, lost races, or male dominance...more
I liked how this book was nonfiction, yet written like a picture book. It's short enough to hold attention of little ones and early elementary school, but contains enough information (and a nicely written author's note) to take away nice facts from the text.
I plan on book talking this to 2nd and 3rd graders hoping to snag some lower level readers as well as reluctant readers. It's rare to find a book about female athletes and even rarer to find one about car racing.
I plan on book talking this to 2nd and 3rd graders hoping to snag some lower level readers as well as reluctant readers. It's rare to find a book about female athletes and even rarer to find one about car racing.
view all 3 comments
For a first book by both author and illustrator, this is a commendable effort. I love NASCAR auto racing, particularly the lady drivers, but had never heard of Louise Smith until I read this book. I kind of felt sorry for her husband, who looks none too happy in the picture where she's leaving for Daytona, all smiles. On the other hand, according to the text, apparently he knew what he was getting into when he married her! What gives me the heebie jeebies is thinking about those races with NO pr...more
I love these nonfiction stories of people who did daring things at a daring time who I never knew about! This one is about Louise Smith, a racing legend from the 40s and 50s. Realistic almost photographic-like images follow the story from when she first drives a car at age 7 through her racing career and on until she likes driving for fun. Author's note at the end is useful.
Although done in a picture book style, this is a short biography on Louise Smith, the first woman stock car racer to become well known. The illustrations are great eye catchers, plus the cover art does too! A nice short bio at the end of the book gives the reader the extra information they might need for resource information.
Scott Dawson's illustrations transform an adequate relating of the story of pioneering female driver Louise Smith into a page turner. Dawson's Rockwell-esque style and use of color reference the time, but his motion blur is genius, simultaneously capturing the speed for which Louise strove and a nostalgic feel.
Louise Smith became one of the first woman professional race car drivers. This brief text will inspire young readers to learn more about the role of women in professional racing. Illustrations bring the time period to life. End papers include a short biography of Smith.
Loved the paintings ... so much fun to see the color and time period.
I'd never heard of this racing "legend" but this would be an interesting title to add to a study on leaders and innovators who didn't let prejudice stand in their way.
I'd never heard of this racing "legend" but this would be an interesting title to add to a study on leaders and innovators who didn't let prejudice stand in their way.
I don't know how else to explain this other than to say that I really loved this book. It was so well done. From the evident research, to the illustrations, to the mastery of literary craft, this book was a pure joy.
This is what I love about really well done picture book biographies. They often introduce me to people of whom otherwise I never would have heard. Solid storytelling with great illustrations.
Young Biography.
Although I am not a big race car fan, I really enjoyed this story. Helps girls to see that they can do anything they set their mind to. A very inspirational story, great illustrations.
Although I am not a big race car fan, I really enjoyed this story. Helps girls to see that they can do anything they set their mind to. A very inspirational story, great illustrations.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!!!
Strong female character and car racing! A great book for little girls! Shows them they can do anything they want!
Strong female character and car racing! A great book for little girls! Shows them they can do anything they want!
Such a great story about a little touched upon part of history - the first women race car drivers!
An appealing introduction to a pioneering woman stock car racer.
Doing some research for a writing project.
May 22, 2013
Sandra Boerst
marked it as to-read
Nov 26, 2012
William
marked it as to-read
Oct 28, 2012
AnnieM
marked it as to-read
Aug 09, 2012
Yinzadi
marked it as to-read
May 14, 2012
Melissa Rerko
marked it as to-read
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
