The now discontinued "Series Canada" and "Series 2000" books edited by Paul Kropp provided ample evidence that hi-lo books can be most effective in engaging reluctant readers. Unfortunately, YA readers, both "regular" and "reluctant,"expect the same qualities that attracted them to fiction to be also present in nonfiction, including biography, namely a "plot" and lots of dialogue. These two aspects of fiction may be most difficult for the author of nonfiction to supply.

Romain's starting point, "wav[ing] a sports hero in front of the reluctant reader's face" is valid, but the trick is to identify a sports hero who is not going to be short-lived in today's world of professional sports. As well, although Canada hosts a Formula One Grand Prix race, it is questionable how many adolescents, especially reluctant readers, avidly follow the circuit and its drivers. However, if one grants that two-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher may be of interest to contemporary teens, then the next concern is how well Ken Sparling, a novelist, editor of literary magazines and writer for the Toronto Public Library's public relations department, "hooks" the reluctant reader and "reels" him in. Continuing the fishing metaphor is risky, but one could say that, though the fish has taken the hook, it is not necessarily well set.

Sparling does provide a "plot" in that the Schumacher's story is essentially told in a chronological fashion from his birth in 1969 through the 1998 racing season, and the author avoids the fault found in so many biographies for juveniles, that of making the book's subject into a paragon. However, told in the third person, Michael Schumacher lacks the immediacy and involving intimacy that so many readers seek for only occasionally does Sparling provide direct quotes from the book's subject. Readers who want to experience vicariously what it is like to be driving an F1 racing car that can travel in excess of 300 km/h will not find out by reading Michael Schumacher.

The book's illustrations are also a disappointment. Following the full colour cover, the book only has four full page black and white photos, one of which repeats the cover illustration, and none of the photographs are "racing action"shots. The only other "illustrative" materials are some 28 "figures" which list, for example, Schumacher's point standings in various races and years.

The book concludes with a five page "Glossary of Motor Racing Terms" plus a page which lists the "Research Sources."

Recommended with Reservations.