The YA Book Log

YELLOW FLAG is one of many of Robert Lipsyte’s successful novels. It focuses on something all teenagers can identify with making choices. The main character, Kyle is forced to put on the helmet and race in place of his brother Kris, who is injured after a win by a spiteful runner up. Coming from a family rich in racing history, Kyle, the quiet trumpet player, is forced to chose between his quintet, the girl of his dreams, the gig of his life, and between following in his family’s footsteps, and another girl of his dreams. The story continues when Kris doesn’t recover in time to race, so Kyle chooses to race for the #12 team instead of practice for the quintet, which he feels he is more out of place there. After gaining his family a major sponsor, he is asked to join the team as a second car on the circuit, #12A. With this offer on the table, he needs to decide where his final loyalties lie, with his family, or with his band.

I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR TEENAGE GUYS AND ANYONE WHO ENJOYS RACING. FOR ME, THE BOOK READ FAST AND IT WAS HARD TO PUT DOWN AFTER THE FIRST FEW CHAPTERS. THE AGE GROUP I BELIEVE WOULD ENJOY THE BOOK THE MOST ARE GUYS (OR GIRLS) RANGING FROM THE EIGHTH GRADE TO THE TENTH GRADE.
Andrew Scarpitta
Chaminade High School
12th grade