Joyride

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