Phil Barber

Brent Hagen
Children’s Lit
April 15, 08

Biography
Dale Earnhardt: The Likable Intimidator
By Phil Barber

The biography is written on an early fifth grade level. It would be considered a picture book with the usual thirty-two pages. The text gives way to a generous amount of pictures and little known facts concerning the NASCAR hero. The text was written simply and compact. The book started out with early facts and proceeded through Earnhardt’s life and the fatal car crash.
I am not a NASCAR fan, however, I was interested enough to read and learn some facts concerning the sport. I can understand why this would be required reading among young men or women that enjoy the race. The pictures mostly are professional photographs that lend to the text. There is also a vocabulary section that would be an aide to those unfamiliar with some of the vocabulary. Another interesting point to note is the Earnhardt timeline that included all of his birth, most important wins, and finally his death. Also included is an index that mentions appropriate web sites for children to go an explore Dale Earnhardt.
Dale Earnhardt started off as a boy with little advantage in life. He took what he had, a love for racing and turned it into a life long passion that made him a household name in the world of NASCAR racing.… (meer)