Electric Dreams: Critical Praise

Named a 2004 "Best Adult Book for High School Students" by School Library Journal

"Kettlewell brings just the right regional flavor to a can't-miss true story reminiscent of the movie Breaking Away. The word 'inspirational' is applied to too many books, but it comfortably fits this one, with its genuinely likable cast of unlikely achievers. This is essential reading for any serious environmentalist…. Even more, it contains profound lessons that everyone involved in the educational system would do well to heed."
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"This is a feel-good story about a competition that, for once, was not based on athletics. … By the time the hardworking team makes it to Richmond… readers will be awaiting the results on the edge of their seats. Exciting and inspirational reading."
—Booklist

"Inspirational…. Effectively poses the question: if kids from a hard-scrabble school district can turn out a roadworthy alternate fuel vehicle in a matter of months, what’s wrong with our big car makers?"
—Kirkus Reviews

"The author has a keen eye for just the right detail and an ability to make even the mechanics of electric engines easy to understand."
—School Library Journal

"An exciting and true story of determination and true grit - and fast cars."
—Midwest Book Review

"One of the most interesting and original books ever written about the South, the environment, and the enduring power of hope. Kettlewell is a major talent, and the kids of hard-luck, backcountry Northampton County, North Carolina, are pure angels of inspiration."
—Mike Tidwell, author of Bayou Farewell: The Rich Life and Tragic Death of Louisiana's Cajun Coast

"Electric Dreams spells out the case for electric vehicles in a rousing tale full of humor, suspense, and great characters. These kids from rural North Carolina proved how easy it would be with our current technology to reduce drastically our dependence on oil."
— Ed Begley, Jr.

"I defy anyone to read the last 50 pages of Electric Dreams without an accelerating heartbeat. The end of the competition is as exciting a finish as they come."
—(Raleigh) News & Observer

"...readers are in for quite a ride."
—Dallas Morning News

"High school kids from rural eastern North Carolina, cars, competition, and the Richmond International Raceway -- a surefire mix for a winner of a book with an (almost) guaranteed happy ending. Caroline Kettlewell got a grip on this story while it was still hot, and keeps us holding our breath until the checkered flag on the last, strangely quiet, lap."
— The Charlotte Observer

"Caroline Kettlewell has a fine eye for the details of North Carolina's countryside and its slow, laid-back, small-town life."
—The Richmond Times-Dispatch

"...the three-day contest which sets the stage for the book's finale will keep the reader's hair standing on end until the final lap on the NASCAR speeway...."
—The Saratogian (Saratoga Springs, NY)

"If you are looking for an honest, root-for-the-underdog, feel-good story, have we got the book for you!"
—Quincy (Illinois) Library

"…a wonderful choice for teens and teachers, especially science teachers. ... Flat out, I loved this book, which details the adventures of an unlikely team of kids & teachers from poor eastern North Carolina schools who band together to enter a competition to build an electric car. Part 'Rocky', part 'Rocket Boys', you'll come to care about these kids, and learn a bit about electric cars along the way. P.S. The section about the catalytic converter is a howler."
—Rosemary, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh NC

Updated: 10.14.04

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