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Slide the Corner
When Greg stands up to his father and achieves his dream of becoming a rally driver, he proves to his parents that he can be as successful as his more academic brother and sister.
- GenresYoung AdultCars
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About the author
Fleur Beale
47 books149 followersFleur Beale is the author of many award-winning books for children and young adults, best known for her novel I am not Esther which has been published worldwide.
Beale was one of six children of a dairy farmer Cedric Corney and of a teacher and author Estelle Corney (née Cook). She was born in Inglewood, Taranaki, New Zealand, on the farm where her father was born. Beale grew up in the town before attending Victoria University, Wellington and Christchurch Teachers' Training College, where she met her husband. Since 1985 she has taught at Melville High School in Hamilton, Waikato and in Wellington. Beale's first stories were written for the children's radio programme Grandpa's Place. Her first book was a small reader and picture book for young children and she started to write for teenagers in 1993. Her stories often involve troubled adolescents engaged in outdoor activities.
Beale was a finalist in the Aim Children's Book Awards (junior fiction) and her 1998 novel I am not Esther was shortlisted for the senior fiction section of the 1999 New Zealand Post Children's Awards. In 1999 she was awarded the Children's Writing Fellowship at Dunedin College of Education and quit teaching to write full time. Her 2001 novel Ambushed was a finalist for the Junior Fiction section of the 2002 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards. Her 2004 account of how an indigenous girl discovers how her education can save her tribal lands (My Story A New Song in the Land. The Writings of Atapo, Pahia, c.1840) received a Notable Book award in 2005 as did Walking Lightly.
Beale was one of six children of a dairy farmer Cedric Corney and of a teacher and author Estelle Corney (née Cook). She was born in Inglewood, Taranaki, New Zealand, on the farm where her father was born. Beale grew up in the town before attending Victoria University, Wellington and Christchurch Teachers' Training College, where she met her husband. Since 1985 she has taught at Melville High School in Hamilton, Waikato and in Wellington. Beale's first stories were written for the children's radio programme Grandpa's Place. Her first book was a small reader and picture book for young children and she started to write for teenagers in 1993. Her stories often involve troubled adolescents engaged in outdoor activities.
Beale was a finalist in the Aim Children's Book Awards (junior fiction) and her 1998 novel I am not Esther was shortlisted for the senior fiction section of the 1999 New Zealand Post Children's Awards. In 1999 she was awarded the Children's Writing Fellowship at Dunedin College of Education and quit teaching to write full time. Her 2001 novel Ambushed was a finalist for the Junior Fiction section of the 2002 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards. Her 2004 account of how an indigenous girl discovers how her education can save her tribal lands (My Story A New Song in the Land. The Writings of Atapo, Pahia, c.1840) received a Notable Book award in 2005 as did Walking Lightly.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 1, 2015
Greg is in Year 11 at school and has failed his NCEA level 1 exams. His father is angry and his Mum determined that he achieves at least Level 1 – so promises to help him study every day when he repeats the year.
Greg can think of nothing worse. Unlike his high achieving parents and siblings,Greg struggles academically and his father has always called him ‘Thick as Crude Oil.’
Greg is interested in cars but his dad tells him he is foolish and wasting his time. After an argument with his parents about studying and a threat of no food followed through by a padlock on the fridge – Greg decides to look for a job.
This is where he comes into his own and he begins to have some control over his life.
This is a great story about believing in what you're good at, sticking at something and achieving your goals - not someone elses. Full of car lore and rallying in this pure kiwi story. A NZ classic.
Greg can think of nothing worse. Unlike his high achieving parents and siblings,Greg struggles academically and his father has always called him ‘Thick as Crude Oil.’
Greg is interested in cars but his dad tells him he is foolish and wasting his time. After an argument with his parents about studying and a threat of no food followed through by a padlock on the fridge – Greg decides to look for a job.
This is where he comes into his own and he begins to have some control over his life.
This is a great story about believing in what you're good at, sticking at something and achieving your goals - not someone elses. Full of car lore and rallying in this pure kiwi story. A NZ classic.
August 23, 2016
Another winner from Fleur Beale. An excellent book for boys, especially car rally fans. Here is poor Greg in a family of brains who isn't good at academic school work, but is good with engines and motors and cars. His parents go ballistic at the idea of him taking automotive classes or working in a garage after school.
The good thing about Beale's novels is that whilst her MCs do succeed they do it through hard work and thinking and growing up. Greg slowly and surely works things out for himself. There is no magic wand, Greg has to do it all for himself. Problems with his parents, school and life in general are realistic and young readers will recognise the situations.
It's good read, well written, and would work well as a family read aloud book.
The good thing about Beale's novels is that whilst her MCs do succeed they do it through hard work and thinking and growing up. Greg slowly and surely works things out for himself. There is no magic wand, Greg has to do it all for himself. Problems with his parents, school and life in general are realistic and young readers will recognise the situations.
It's good read, well written, and would work well as a family read aloud book.
July 17, 2019
I admired this narrative! The main reason was that the topic was about what I love...CARS! I am sure every car fan will enjoy reading this book.
This book is about a teen who is a car LOVER! He wants to drive in rallies, but his parents are no help because they want him to be brainy like his brother William and his sister, Kitty.
His parents are scientists and are smart, but they aren't as fond of him like their other children. He wants to drive in a rally, which is what this book revolves around. He may or may not drive in a rally, but to find out you must read this novel!
Overall, this book is truly breathtaking for all car fans and must be read by all the young people who love cars between the ages of 10-13!
This book is about a teen who is a car LOVER! He wants to drive in rallies, but his parents are no help because they want him to be brainy like his brother William and his sister, Kitty.
His parents are scientists and are smart, but they aren't as fond of him like their other children. He wants to drive in a rally, which is what this book revolves around. He may or may not drive in a rally, but to find out you must read this novel!
Overall, this book is truly breathtaking for all car fans and must be read by all the young people who love cars between the ages of 10-13!
March 6, 2023
A reasonably standard coming-of-age drama about a teenager forming their own identity and values separate from those of their parents and their parent's expectations. The unique selling point being the focus on rallying in New Zealand. One of my most read books as a teenager.
December 17, 2017
good book really enjoyed it :}
April 2, 2018
This book was fine, it was interesting learning about car rallies more and how they work. Good book if you are a fan of cars!!
February 14, 2019
I love this book! It's quintessential Fleur Beale, and I get so much from it even though I'm the opposite in every way to its main character.
Highly recommended, I've read it so many times.
Highly recommended, I've read it so many times.
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May 18, 2020how can I read it? wheres the link? IDK I'm new here lol
September 15, 2023
Standard coming-of-age story that was really wholesome. Good character development and well paced. A solid read. 3.5 stars
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March 14, 2017Inspirational
March 1, 2017
wow, this book was a strange pick for me at first but once I started reading it I could not stop reading.
I found that this book relates to me as an individual, the father has the personality traits of my father,
someone who can talk forever, the mother sort of an in between person, she is on the fathers side but soon choses to go with her sons side.
overall an awesome read.
I found that this book relates to me as an individual, the father has the personality traits of my father,
someone who can talk forever, the mother sort of an in between person, she is on the fathers side but soon choses to go with her sons side.
overall an awesome read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2011
this is a great book considering i read it at school. teachers usually can't pick good books but this is good. I would tell any guy who finds books hard to read to read this. Or Anyone who guzzles books back.
It takes you into the life of a young guy with a desire to drive in the rally way. He takes control of his life to be who he wants to be. Good morally correct book. makes you want to tinker with cars or drive.
It takes you into the life of a young guy with a desire to drive in the rally way. He takes control of his life to be who he wants to be. Good morally correct book. makes you want to tinker with cars or drive.
June 25, 2011
it was so fun. when i was reding it ,i always gave him my finger crossed. i don't like foreign teenager story. but it was fun and great and it's easy to read.
April 3, 2012
it was so shit and unrealistic that all the good things that happened all was at the same time THIS BOOK IS GAY!
July 22, 2014
I read this book for an assignment. I am not a teenage boy and I am not into cars but I found myself really enjoying the story! Really likeable characters and great themes for teens.
April 15, 2016
loved it
May 2, 2016
good book
June 4, 2018
This book is awesome
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews