Smokin' Muscle Cars (Fast Wheels!)
Fast Wheels! Series
on Goodreads (11)
What’s inside...
America's love affair with cars is most passionate when it comes to the fastest, most powerful, and coolest-looking models on the nation's roads. Author Bob Woods takes readers through the history of flashy 'muscle' cars, such as the Pontiac GTO, Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro, Dodge Charger, and Chevy Corvette.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-13
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes muscle cars different from other types of cars?
Which muscle car from the book was your favorite, and why did you like it?
How do you think the design of muscle cars helps them go so fast?
If you could design your own muscle car, what special features would it have?
What have you learned about the history of muscle cars from this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own knowledge or excitement about cars to set an enthusiastic tone for the conversation. Use the illustrations in the book to point out different features of muscle cars, helping your child visualize the concepts discussed. Encourage your child to express their thoughts and use the book’s content to validate their observations. Finally, relate the discussion to broader topics, such as the evolution of technology or the importance of design in functionality.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of safety
Explanation: Through the depiction of fast cars, the book emphasizes the need for safety measures like wearing seatbelts and following speed limits.
Real-World Application: Children are reminded to always prioritize safety, whether riding in a car or biking in the neighborhood.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: Characters in the book often work together to fix or build muscle cars, highlighting the value of cooperation.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of collaborating with others to achieve shared goals, like working on group projects at school or playing team sports.
Example Lesson: Respect for history and innovation
Explanation: The book showcases various historical muscle cars, teaching children to appreciate the innovation and evolution in automotive history.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to respect and value technological and historical advancements in their everyday surroundings.
Example Lesson: Patience and diligence
Explanation: Building and maintaining a muscle car in the story requires patience and attention to detail, showcasing the virtues of diligence.
Real-World Application: Children learn that patience and careful attention to tasks lead to rewarding outcomes, applicable in completing homework or learning new skills.
Example Lesson: Environmental awareness
Explanation: Discussion of fuel usage and emissions in the story introduces ideas of environmental impact.
Real-World Application: This can make children more mindful of how their actions, such as recycling and conserving water, can impact the environment.