Apelqvist, Eva  Getting Ready to Drive: A How-To Guide
Middle school, high school     128 pp.     Enslow

Life: A How-To Guide series. Apelqvist provides a concise yet thorough overview of the considerations made when preparing to drive. Chapters touch on large issues (e.g., rules of the road) along with smaller sub-topics, from learning disabilities to how to take a good driver's license photo. Personal stories interspersed throughout add a human face but often sound canned; stock photos are similarly hit-or-miss. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
Subjects: Life Skills; Vehicles—Automobiles

Blackford, Cheryl  Powerful Muscle Cars
Gr. 4–6     32 pp.     Capstone

Goldsworthy, Steve  Scorching Supercars
Gr. 4–6     32 pp.     Capstone

Edge Books: Dream Cars series. In the 1960s, muscle cars — with big, ostentatious frames and high horsepower — were popular. Today's supercars are characterized by sleek sports-car designs and even higher horsepower. These specialty cars are introduced in easy-to-read texts and eye-catching color photos. Statistical charts and numerous sidebars support the texts. Vocabulary words printed in bold are defined on most pages. Reading list. Glos., ind.
Subjects: Machines and Technology; Vehicles—Automobiles; Sports—Automobile racing

Green, Rod  Giant Vehicles
Gr. K–3     16 pp.     Candlewick/Templar

Illustrated by Stephen Biesty. Meet the Airbus A380®, the Russian Mil Mi-26 helicopter, and six other vehicles that carry goods and people on land, sea, and air. Double-page spreads feature well-labeled, detailed drawings with flaps carefully positioned to reveal the internal workings of each transport marvel. Despite the heavy-stock pages, this isn't a book for toddlers: it's a sturdy and engaging diversion for elementary-age vehicle fans.
Subjects: Machines and Technology; Vehicles; Size; Toy and movable books

Riggs, Kate  Bullet Trains
Gr. K–3     24 pp.     Creative Education

Riggs, Kate  Indy Cars
Gr. K–3     24 pp.     Creative Education

Riggs, Kate  Jets
Gr. K–3     24 pp.     Creative Education

Seedlings series. With clear color photos and one or two large-print sentences on each spread, these illustrative and well-designed introductions to flashy and speedy vehicles will help beginning readers acclimate to nonfiction. The texts cover the essentials, including each vehicle's purpose and notable features. A labeled diagram concludes each book. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
Subjects: Machines and Technology; Vehicles—Trains; Railroads; Sports—Automobile racing; Vehicles—Airplanes

Scheff, Matt  Jets
Gr. 4–6   32 pp.     ABDO

Scheff, Matt  Speedboats
Gr. 4–6   32 pp.     ABDO

Scheff, Matt  Superbikes
Gr. 4–6   32 pp.     ABDO

SportsZone: Speed Machines series. Fast-action photos drive these short introductions to powerful vehicles that are now an integral part of our recreation and transportation technology. With matter-of-fact, very brief narratives, the books summarize how these machines were developed, what their components are, and how they run. "Fast fact" sidebars supplement the main texts. Reading list. Glos., ind.
Subjects: Machines and Technology; Vehicles—Airplanes; Vehicles—Boats and boating; Competition; Sports—Motorcycle racing

From the October 2015 issue of Nonfiction Notes from the Horn Book.