Adults often find it hard to understand or to deal with, the teen-age boys who go off the deep end about rebuilt, "hopped-up" cars, which sometimes bring them to their death. As in his widely read "Hot Rod," Mr. Felsen tries to present both points of view in an exciting story ["Street Rod"]. It includes a lot of information, especially for adults new to the subject….

Concentrating on the adolescent emotions and ambition (to be a car designer) of a sixteen-year-old, the story shows vividly the compelling power of gang action, a boy's frustration if not part of a gang and his longing to be its leader. The boys of the street-rod gang in the sleepy town of Dellville defy the law in near-by towns and cities. Gradually, the understanding of Ricky's father plus the influence of his girlfriend put him on the road to reasonable action. But...