Joyride, Gretchen Olson
Joyride, Gretchen Olson
List: $15.99 | Sale: $11.20
Club: $7.99

Joyride

Author: Gretchen Olson

Narrator: Ramón de Ocampo

Unabridged: 5 hr 20 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Recorded Books

Published: 11/18/2011

Categories: Children's Fiction


Synopsis

Oregon teenager and tennis champ Jeff McKenzie can't wait for summer vacation. But when he decides to take his Bronco for a joyride on the Hamptons' farm land, he gets into real hot water. As punishment Jeff is ordered to work on the farm for the first few weeks of summer. Getting up early and working with Mexican immigrants just doesn't appeal to him. The only thing he looks forward to is seeing the Hamptons' eldest daughter Alexa, who he is quickly falling for. Gradually he comes to appreciate the hardworking people laboring in the fields with him, and he even takes an interest in the strawberry harvest. But when a vandal strikes the farm, Jeff has a sneaking suspicion about who is responsible. A story of tolerance and compassion, Joyride takes a long, hard look at prejudice and how it can poison human relationships. Narrator RamOn de Ocampo's performance will stir young listeners as they toil alongside Jeff in the hot sun. "Olson presents issues concerning racism, migrant workers, and class distinctions in a realistic setting, and brings about a satisfying resolution."-School Library Journal

Reviews

Goodreads review by Molly

A look at racism and privilege through the eyes of a privileged, heterosexual, white teenager. He destroys property after a "joyride" and then has to work and rebuild what he destroyed. Through this effort he gets to know the workers in the field. An amazing book about people, perceptions and of cou......more

Goodreads review by Anne

Jeff McKenzie is competitive. A top ranked tennis player. And in trouble. After a stupid stunt one night in which he and his friend drove a tractor across a beanfield. And got caught. Consequence: Jeff gets to work off the cost of his error on Hampton Farms. Which means missing meets, practices, and t......more

Goodreads review by Lacey

For many years this was my favorite summer re-read. I was gifted this book by my aunt who is friends with the author and loved it instantly. As a teen raised on a farm just miles from the setting of this book, it was relatable, but it also provided insight into the lives of many farm families around......more