This Truck Has Got To Be Special

Gr 1–4—After years of traveling around Pakistan, driver Chinar Gul can finally afford his own truck. So he hires his friend to paint it for him, which is a tradition in this part of the world. As Zarrar slowly paints the truck, Chinar Gul recounts his life story and talks about his culture and experiences. While some will find this narrative incredibly interesting, the tale meanders and lacks focus. The images of the trucks are breathtaking; the vivid details stand out even more against the simple black-and-white backgrounds. The trucks are the most engaging part of the tale but unfortunately aren't featured prominently. An author's note explores truck art and the writing process. Educators may want to incorporate this work in a unit on street art or Pakistani culture, though there are no maps or photos of actual trucks to make this a strong nonfiction resource.