In The Car, an adult fiction by Gary Paulsen is an exciting book that catches more attention as you read. The main character, Terry, learns to live on his own, meets new people, and learns life lessons. This book is filled with action from road races to bar fights. You won’t be able to put this book down, once you start reading it.

We find out Terry has to live on his own because his parents left him. He needs to find a way to get to his Aunt. But in order to get there, he needs to fix up a kit car so he can travel to his aunts. On the way, Terry learns on how he needs to be independent and also meets new people, new friends.

The novel is told through first person, Terry’s point of view. There are main themes or life lessons in The Car. You need to be independent, be open to new people, and open to learning new things. The setting is mostly on the highway, traveling through states. It also takes place in motels and restaurants. The setting all represent their own things. Some setting symbolizes danger, others represent happiness, friendship.

The novel was a great read. It had action parts, surprising parts, and sad parts. The writing was very powerful and made you feel like you were really there. The novel really struck home for me and I couldn't stop reading the book. The author’s purpose was to entertain the reader and show the life of teenage book whose parents left him.

Overall, the novel The Car was a very entertaining and exciting book. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves cars and even just want to see a teenage go through life without his parents. The novel really engages with the reader and has things that connect with the reader. Will Terry make it to his aunt, or will he end up not making it to his aunt? Read The Car to find out.