Eva to the Max by Rebecca Caprara - ADVISABLE

Eva to the Max by Rebecca Caprara, 400 pages. NOVEL IN VERSE. Dial Books (Penguin), 2026. $10

(pb).

Language: G (0 swears, 0 "f"); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Some intense motocross racing accidents, realistic physical injuries like chipped teeth)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Motocross is everything to 12yo Evelyn Rae (known on the track as "Eva Knievel"). She

loves the thrill of competition and pushing herself to get better and faster. But after

some bullying at her old school, Eva is determined to keep her passion completely hidden

from her new classmates. Her father, a former racer who now uses a wheelchair

due to a stunt accident, helps her train, but the sport is draining her family's tight budget,

and her mom disapproves of her racing. When a reckless mistake wrecks her bike

and threatens her shot at qualifying for the AMA National Championship, Eva has to

face the steep physical and financial costs of her dream. Making matters more complicated,

a new girl named Cam arrives at school, threatening not only Eva's secret identity

but her spot on the podium.

Rebecca Caprara delivers a fast-paced novel-in-verse that captures the grit and intensity

of dirt bike racing. Eva’s fierce competitive drive and hot temper feel authentic to

the tween experience, and readers will empathize with her complicated relationship

with her mother, who is understandably terrified of her daughter getting injured.

The story does a great job of breaking down stereotypes about what it means to be a

"sporty girl" and handles themes of sportsmanship, economic privilege, and shifting

relationships without being overly preachy. While the book leans on a few familiar

tropes—such as the "secret passion" and the classic rivalry turning into teamwork—the

unique subject matter makes it stand out. There is a shortage of sports fiction specifically

highlighting female athletes, making this a good option, particularly for reluctant

readers drawn to high-speed action. An informative historical note about the real trailblazers

of women’s motocross is included at the back.

Eva and her family default white. Eva's father is a wheelchair user.

Reviewer: Heather Robinson, Elementary School Librarian