Pee Wee McGrath is not your typical girl of 1914. She can work on a car and get it to run, as she does at the family garage with her brother. She is perfectly happy this way, but change comes to her world with the arrival of four young women.

The Hendricks County Library has been closed since the death of the librarian. The four women have finished their educations in the area of library arts and have come to offer their services of opening the library again. Coming from well-to-do families in the Indianapolis are, they have not only the knowledge to restart the library, they have the funds to restore and improve it.

Showing up in some of the top end cars of the day, it turns out there is more to these ladies than their resources!

A home built race car, a dirt-track stock car race, shenanigans on the track and some determined characters make for a good mix and lively action.

Though it is a children’s book, Peck writes in a style that adults can enjoy too. ( )

This book centers around 14 year old Eleanor McGrath, who is mainly interested in automobiles, largely due to the influence of her older brother, Jake. Together, they share the dream of building their own automobile and winning the county fair race with it.

Their world is turned upside down when four women from Indianapolis, all trained in the library sciences, come to their greenhorn town. Most notable of these women are Irene Ridpath and Grace Strutz. It is through the relationships to these women that the lives of Eleanor and Jake are changed.

This book was a lighthearted read, and it was perfect for a Sunday afternoon reading session. However, I can't say that it necessarily struck me in any way emotionally nor was it inherently thought-provoking. In short: it was a charming story from historical fiction. It reminded me, in a way, of the Sideways Stories from Wayside School.

Would I read this book again? Probably not. Will I gift it to my librarian friend who will find more enjoyment out of it? Absolutely I will. :) ( )

#unreadshelfproject2030. Being that I live in Indiana, this book was right up my alley. PeeWee is a great character. A young girl coming-of-age in the early 1900’s. It’s a great testament to girl’s growing up strong. The story is filled with humor and life lessons. ( )

I listened to a dreadful reader perform this well written story of small town Indiana before WWI. The story revolves around a brother & sister who try to run a successful service station at the advent of car culture and pavement and women's suffrage. While the historical setting & lively story are great for kids, this book contains enough random, unavenged violence that it might be difficult for some children, esp. those under 10. ( )

I listened to a dreadful reader perform this well written story of small town Indiana before WWI. The story revolves around a brother & sister who try to run a successful service station at the advent of car culture and pavement and women's suffrage. While the historical setting & lively story are great for kids, this book contains enough random, unavenged violence that it might be difficult for some children, esp. those under 10. ( )