Drive

“Women have always done extraordinary things. But then those things are forgotten.” Copeland (Cub) endeavors to bring one such woman back into the spotlight in this time-jumping graphic novel that weaves together the true story of race car driver Janet Guthrie (b. 1938) with fictional 12-year-old Alexandra as she restores a ’56 Jaguar XK 140 formerly owned by Guthrie. Alternating palettes differentiate present-day chapters rendered in full color from blue and yellow shaded historical recollections of Guthrie’s life. Fine-line drawings burst with action-packed detail; a kinetic 1962-set prologue depicts a win for Guthrie that’s dismissed by her peers. Alex experiences similar biases while working on the Jaguar, which she discovers in the barn of her new home in New Hampshire. The narrative encourages readers to avoid treating female athletes as novelties, making for an entertaining and educational entry into gender-based discrimination in sports that spotlights how it impacts future professionals: “When we can’t build on the successes of those who came before us—it’s a huge obstacle! Each generation has to start all over again.” Alex has pale skin and freckles; past–set chapters depict Guthrie in swathes of blue and yellow. Ages 8–12. (Jan.)