What do you think?
Rate this book
Surviving Southside
Deadly Drive
When Rob and Gabi skip school with two friends, the group makes a terrible mistake. Rob and his friends end up in a deadly accident, and suddenly Rob's world has changed. The girl of his dreams is even blaming him for what happened. Will Rob be able to deal with the pain?
108 pages, ebook
First published December 21, 2012
About the author
Justine Korman Fontes
444 books66 followersJustine Korman is the author of over 600 children's books, including mega-selling adaptations of Disney hits like THE LION KING, plus her original popular GRUMPY BUNNY series for Scholastic.
Justine has been writing all her life. She worked part-time in publishing while earning her B.A. in English Literature, Phi Beta Kappa from New York University. While an editorial assistant at Golden Books, she met her future husband and partner, Ron Fontes, an artist in the Whitman Comics department, who moved on to mighty Marvel Comics.
When Justine started getting freelance writing assignments, Ron pitched in and a children's book writing team was born! Ron brought visual storytelling, theatre, and history; Justine enthusiasm, humor, and a straight-A attitude.
In 1988, the couple moved to Maine, where they have written everything from beginning readers and novelty books to historical fiction and graphic novels.
Justine's hobbies include fitness, juggling, gardening, cooking, and playing the ukulele. She also enjoys making movies with Ron.
The prolific couple's goal is to write 1001 children's books.
Justine has been writing all her life. She worked part-time in publishing while earning her B.A. in English Literature, Phi Beta Kappa from New York University. While an editorial assistant at Golden Books, she met her future husband and partner, Ron Fontes, an artist in the Whitman Comics department, who moved on to mighty Marvel Comics.
When Justine started getting freelance writing assignments, Ron pitched in and a children's book writing team was born! Ron brought visual storytelling, theatre, and history; Justine enthusiasm, humor, and a straight-A attitude.
In 1988, the couple moved to Maine, where they have written everything from beginning readers and novelty books to historical fiction and graphic novels.
Justine's hobbies include fitness, juggling, gardening, cooking, and playing the ukulele. She also enjoys making movies with Ron.
The prolific couple's goal is to write 1001 children's books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 21, 2019
This book is about two friends, Rob Ramirez and Adam, who decide to have a picnic at a secret place in the woods next to their school during their study period. Adam decided to bring his girlfriend Vera while Rob decided to invite his crush, Gabi. Adam told rob to get some liquor to make the picnic more exciting. Gabi was the only one who could drive so she drove them to the woods. At first, Gabi didn't want to drink but got peer pressured by Vera which was a big mistake. After finishing the Picnic, everyone was so drunk that Gabi wasn't able to control the car in time as they crashed. Gabi and Adam had some scratches, Rob hurt his knee, and Vera was dead. This one moment changed everyone's lives and Rob thought his knee Injury might effect his soccer Scholarship. This book was a good book because it is a good reminder for people to not drink and drive but at the same time this story was very sad and heartbreaking.
April 9, 2013
Justine Korman Fontes' "Deadly Drive" is a part of a series of novels called "Surviving South Side". I definitely appreciate that this story is directed toward reluctant teen readers and tackling such a tough subject. But there were a lot of things in this novel that completely rubbed me the wrong way. The story starts with a teen named Rob Ramirez who's in love with a girl named Gaby. (Instalove, even for this particular story) He's convinced they're in love and that she's meant to be "the one". They fool around, sex is a part of the dialogue and there are gestures made in that measure (including where Rob actually reaches under her skirt in one scene). There's a progression where Rob's with Gaby and his friends, driving drunk, and a horrible accident occurs. They have to deal with the aftermath of events following, and it doesn't come without losses or punishments.
I think there was a significant disconnect between the presentation of the characters and their reactions versus the gravity of the situation. Sure, I get that Rob's confused, his mind struggles to make sense of things, but much of it felt very wooden in the dialogue, the depicted scenarios, and the characters - for the most part - were one dimensional and underdeveloped. It was hard to maintain interest in the beginning, and even with the incident and the aftermath - while Rob does eventually grow and come to terms in some measures, it doesn't feel like there's a true resonance with respect to the event, the loss occurring, and the emotional gravity that one would feel if someone were in Rob's situation. Plus, with Gaby's emotional guilt and the thoughts that are going on with her (depression, survivor's guilt, blame), it doesn't feel as weighted as it should be given the age of the teens and what that includes.
I couldn't really recommend this, even for a reluctant teen audience. I think the intention of the story is well thought, but I don't think the execution here was strong.
Overall: 1/5
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Lerner.
I think there was a significant disconnect between the presentation of the characters and their reactions versus the gravity of the situation. Sure, I get that Rob's confused, his mind struggles to make sense of things, but much of it felt very wooden in the dialogue, the depicted scenarios, and the characters - for the most part - were one dimensional and underdeveloped. It was hard to maintain interest in the beginning, and even with the incident and the aftermath - while Rob does eventually grow and come to terms in some measures, it doesn't feel like there's a true resonance with respect to the event, the loss occurring, and the emotional gravity that one would feel if someone were in Rob's situation. Plus, with Gaby's emotional guilt and the thoughts that are going on with her (depression, survivor's guilt, blame), it doesn't feel as weighted as it should be given the age of the teens and what that includes.
I couldn't really recommend this, even for a reluctant teen audience. I think the intention of the story is well thought, but I don't think the execution here was strong.
Overall: 1/5
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Lerner.
April 17, 2016
A very short but good book about what happens when teens decided to drink and drive.
January 26, 2020
I received this book free from Netgalley for an honest review.
I didn’t remind this story. It was a bit short to really connect with any of the characters but it did show the reader what can happen in a split second. One wrong decision can have dire consequences.
I didn’t remind this story. It was a bit short to really connect with any of the characters but it did show the reader what can happen in a split second. One wrong decision can have dire consequences.
September 15, 2021
Is a great book also i want to know that what happen to Gabi?
January 17, 2023
The book was really good and educational.
March 18, 2013
2.5 stars
I read this in pretty much a single sitting; at 108 pages, it wasn't long and it was engaging enough to keep my flipping those pages along. Deadly Drive is the story of an afternoon of fun which turns into a nightmare when a group of friends cut class and get involved in drink-driving. Rob, Gabi, Adam and Vera just plan on going to hang out in the woods and make out a bit, but things spiral when the guys bring some alcohol to get the girls "warmed up", pressure to conform and be cool end up with a series of bad choices that results in someone dying.
There are plenty of really sound messages within this short story; the obvious ones being the importance of seat belts and not driving drunk. I also liked the examination of the consequences for the people involved in the crash. There is a very vivid description of the dead person, another character has to cope with a custodial sentence, and someone else faces a long hard physical recovery from the crash. Friendships are realigned and lessons learned. I don't have many more things to say really as I wasn't particularly surprised by any of the events in Deadly Drive, but I found the style very easy to read and the story was unlike any I have read recently so it felt pretty fresh. It reads like every parent's worst nightmare and, for that reason, might be just the thing to gift to young drivers out there! It would make a good assigned reader for a driver's ed class too.
I read this in pretty much a single sitting; at 108 pages, it wasn't long and it was engaging enough to keep my flipping those pages along. Deadly Drive is the story of an afternoon of fun which turns into a nightmare when a group of friends cut class and get involved in drink-driving. Rob, Gabi, Adam and Vera just plan on going to hang out in the woods and make out a bit, but things spiral when the guys bring some alcohol to get the girls "warmed up", pressure to conform and be cool end up with a series of bad choices that results in someone dying.
There are plenty of really sound messages within this short story; the obvious ones being the importance of seat belts and not driving drunk. I also liked the examination of the consequences for the people involved in the crash. There is a very vivid description of the dead person, another character has to cope with a custodial sentence, and someone else faces a long hard physical recovery from the crash. Friendships are realigned and lessons learned. I don't have many more things to say really as I wasn't particularly surprised by any of the events in Deadly Drive, but I found the style very easy to read and the story was unlike any I have read recently so it felt pretty fresh. It reads like every parent's worst nightmare and, for that reason, might be just the thing to gift to young drivers out there! It would make a good assigned reader for a driver's ed class too.
September 1, 2016
Deadly Drive is part of a series written for reluctant teen readers. Admittedly, I work with younger students than this book is geared towards, but as someone who sees struggling middle grade readers trying to engage in material that is usually too young for them, I appreciate what they are trying to accomplish here. This offers a much more mature subject matter while written for intensive reader needs. They attempt to grip you from the first line, mentioning the main character's virgin status. While they touch on serious issues, they also give many opportunities for discussion and further expansion on the lessons taught.
I would definitely recommend this for a reluctant teen reader.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
I would definitely recommend this for a reluctant teen reader.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
January 23, 2017
I would recommend this book because It’s a great book to read, also it has a good story behind it. I really like that it has a lot going on in the book but it comes all together. I gave this book 5 stars because It relates to things that are happening everyday in life. Also that I love that it’s not all about a fatal accident. It doesn’t just jump to what happens and how others are affected but how their lives were before everything happened. I mostly like how it shows how life affecting it is and that one thing can change everything. It shows all the struggles they go throw and the outcome. The only thing that I would like to see is more hyperbole. I would like to experiences more extreme exaggeration with how they were before the crash scene happened.
April 30, 2014
Too mature for elementary students as the teenage boy thinks a lot about having sex. Two couples in high school skip class and go drinking, the one that drives wrecks killing one passenger and injuring another. Fast read but a bit overly preachy. I felt like the author's message was too obvious. I did like how the rumors and friendships were realistically portrayed along with their future prospects. The main character is Mexican-American, which is nice. This book might be used with high school, dating, and/or drunk driving.
May 19, 2016
I enjoyed reading this book. Drinking and driving is common and people do not always realize how bad the consequences can be in alcohol related incidents. This book was a well written and realistic example of what can occur as a result of drinking and driving. The lives of all 4 people in the car changed forever due to alcohol. Again, this book was very realistic and a good example of why drinking and driving, and underage drinking, is bad.
April 1, 2013
This book was not worth your time. I could not find a single thing that would make this book good except don’t drink and drive. Lying to the cops, hello did you hit your head in the wreck? The good thing was that this short story and I did not have to skip and skip…end of story.
April 22, 2015
I had high hopes for this one because I enjoyed Benito Runs by the same author, but the beginning is all about sex. The story is contrived and predictable, and I can't imagine recommending it to any of my students.
January 31, 2016
This book was a bit slow but overall the plot kept on moving forward. I would recommend this to students who are in high school or college because it shows a realistic life lesson that they can learn from.
September 16, 2014
A compelling Y.A. story with accessible vocabulary, the writer takes a typical teen blunder and spins it into a moving, cautionary tale.
September 14, 2015
Nice short story, low vocabulary with high interest. Tells reader how one wrong choice can ruin your life.
November 6, 2024
Really short but was also very good and engaging 4/5
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews