Ted Dawe: Thunder Road

When 19-year-old Trace moves up to the "big smoke" to escape small town life, he is looking for some action. His roommate Devon introduces him to an exciting new world.

Always into fast cars, Trace is quickly transfixed by Thunder Road - a strip of road where the street racers test their nerve.

Then Devon hatches on to a lucrative money-making scheme and Trace is persuaded to go along with him. The scheme attracts the attention of the local underworld and the boys find themselves at the mercy of men who are prepared to kill to protect their interests.

A finalist in this year's NZ Post Children's Book Awards this is Ted Dawe's first novel and he says it took 40 days to write it.

It is a suspenseful and thrilling novel which tackles some hard-hitting teenage issues including sex, drug use and violence.

Publisher: Longacre

Price: $18.99

Age: 12-plus

Recommended by: Nicola Rawnsley