Burns Rubber (Babymouse Series #12) »

Brother-sister team Matthew “Lightning” Holm and Jennifer “Watch out!” Holm are both excellent drivers (though Matt did fail his learner’s permit test the first time). Today Jennifer L. Holm is the author of several highly acclaimed novels, including two Newbery Honor winners, Our Only May Amelia and Penny from Heaven. Matthew Holm is a graphic designer and freelance writer.

Babymouse's big dreams of becoming a race car driver come true when she and her best pal, Wilson, enter the Race of the Century (or at least the school year). But will she and Wilson crash and burn? Or will they cruise to the Winners’ Circle? Find out in Babymouse #12: Burns Rubber. Breaking records this spring!

Children's Literature

The little mouse with a big imagination and a love of all things cupcake dreams of drag racing glory in the twelfth title of the "Babymouse" graphic novel series. Babymouse daydreams about race car driving success while riding—and wrecking—her bike. When she brings her broken bike to her best friend Wilson, she sees his newest creation: a Soap Box Derby race car. Wilson explains to Babymouse that he is entering the Soap Box Derby and hopes to finally beat Chuck E. Cheetah, perennial Soap Box Derby champion and all-around Big Cat on Campus. Babymouse immediately wants to be part of the Soap Box Derby too, and coerces Wilson into making her, her own race car, the Cupcake Cannon. While Babymouse attempts to learn to drive her race car, Wilson works on his own vehicle, but the time he spends fixing Babymouse's car over and over means his car is not quite ready the day the big race arrives. When race day comes, Wilson is worried that his car will not make it to the starting line. The race starts, and it quickly becomes a duel between Babymouse's Cupcake Cannon and Chuck E. Cheetah's Dark Star. Unfortunately, Wilson's car loses its wheel almost immediately and is out of the race. In the end, the Cupcake Cannon wins the race—and the reader discovers that Babymouse and Wilson have switched cars. Wilson wins after all, and Babymouse shows that she is not as quite as self absorbed as she seems. This very funny graphic novel is sure to appeal to kids of all ages, especially emergent readers and reluctant readers. Tongue-in-cheek pop culture references, exuberant graphics, and irreverent, cheeky dialogue make Babymouse an appealing heroine. Reviewer: Lauri Berkenkamp