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Archivist's Choice

The Big Race

Francine Pascal (1993)

Genre

Children's

Reading Time

12 Minutes

Key Themes

See below

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Sisters Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield must overcome a pre-race fight to build and race their soapbox cars to victory against boastful Ken Matthews.

Synopsis

Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield are thrilled to enter the annual soapbox derby, eager to build their own cars and compete. Their main rival is the boastful Ken Matthews, who brags incessantly about his superior vehicle, fueling the twins' determination to defeat him. Initially, they plan to collaborate, believing their combined effort will secure a win. However, a significant argument erupts between them just before the race, jeopardizing their partnership and their chances of victory. The twins must reconcile their differences quickly if they hope to work together and triumph in the derby.
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Fast
Mood
Playful, determined, slightly tense (due to conflict), ultimately heartwarming.

Plot Summary

The Soapbox Derby Announcement

The story begins with Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield, identical twins, at school. Their teacher, Miss Davis, announces a soapbox derby for all students. The prize is a trophy and a year's supply of ice cream. Both twins are excited, though for different reasons – Elizabeth likes building, while Jessica wants to win. They decide to enter as a team, planning to build a car together. This agreement sets up their cooperative, but often conflicting, dynamic.

Ken Matthews' Bragging

Soon after the announcement, Ken Matthews, a competitive boy in their class, starts bragging about his soapbox car. He claims it will be the fastest and that no one else has a chance. His constant boasting irritates Elizabeth and Jessica, making them determined to beat him. They see Ken's arrogance as a direct challenge, changing the derby from a fun school event into a serious competition where their pride is at stake. This rivalry becomes a main motivator for the twins.

Designing the Dream Machine

Elizabeth and Jessica start planning their car. Elizabeth is practical, focusing on mechanics and efficiency, sketching designs for a fast vehicle. Jessica, however, is more interested in the car's look, wanting it to be flashy. Their different priorities cause their first small conflict, as Elizabeth argues for speed and Jessica for style. They eventually compromise, deciding to combine both elements, but this initial design phase shows their distinct personalities and potential for future disagreements.

Building Begins in the Garage

With their design ready, the twins go to the garage to start building their soapbox car. Their father, Ned Wakefield, helps them with harder tasks like cutting wood and attaching wheels. Building the car is not always easy; they face difficulties, make mistakes, and learn the importance of precision and patience. Despite some frustrations, they generally work well together, each using their skills. Elizabeth is good with tools, while Jessica is skilled at painting and decorating, making them an effective team.

Setbacks and Solutions

As construction continues, the twins run into several problems. A wheel does not fit right, a piece of wood cracks, and they run out of a needed material. These challenges make them think creatively and work together to find solutions. They learn to change their plans and not give up when things go wrong. Their father encourages them but lets them figure out many solutions themselves, helping them become more independent and reinforcing that persistence is key.

The Big Argument

Days before the race, Elizabeth and Jessica have a big argument. The cause is a mix of small frustrations and different opinions, probably about a last-minute design choice or who gets to do a certain task. The argument grows into a full fight, with harsh words exchanged. Both twins feel misunderstood and unappreciated by the other. This conflict is so bad it threatens to stop their project and their participation in the derby, leaving their car unfinished and their partnership broken.

Separate Ways and Regret

After their big argument, Elizabeth and Jessica refuse to speak or work on the car. They go to their separate rooms, feeling hurt and stubborn. The soapbox car sits ignored in the garage, a reminder of their broken partnership. As race day gets closer, both twins start to feel regret and sadness. They realize that their pride is stopping them from reaching their shared goal and that they miss working together, but neither wants to be the first to make up.

Intervention and Reconciliation

Seeing their daughters' silent disagreement and the unfinished car, Ned and Alice Wakefield decide to step in. They talk to Elizabeth and Jessica separately, then together, helping them express their feelings and understand each other. The parents stress that winning is not as important as learning to work together and support each other. Through their parents' help, the twins realize the value of their bond and their shared dream. They apologize to each other, make up, and agree to finish the car together.

Last-Minute Preparations

With their partnership fixed, Elizabeth and Jessica rush to finish their soapbox car. They work together with new purpose and speed, each using their strengths. The last-minute preparations are intense, but they are driven by their shared goal and the joy of working together again. They add the final touches, making sure the car is both functional and good-looking, a representation of their combined efforts and reconciled spirits. The car is ready just in time for the derby.

Race Day Excitement

Race day arrives, full of excitement and anticipation. Elizabeth and Jessica, with their family, head to the track. They see all the other soapbox cars, including Ken Matthews's flashy vehicle. A mix of nervousness and excitement washes over them as they get ready for their turn. They check their car one last time, exchange encouraging glances, and feel proud of what they have done together, no matter the outcome.

The Race Unfolds

The soapbox derby begins with various heats. Ken Matthews races first, showing off his car's speed and confirming his earlier boasts. When it is Elizabeth and Jessica's turn, one of them (likely Elizabeth) drives while the other pushes off. They navigate the course, feeling the thrill of the wind and the focus of the competition. The race is close, full of tension and excitement as they push their car to its limits, hoping their hard work pays off.

A Close Finish

The race is very close, especially between the Wakefield twins' car and Ken Matthews's vehicle. Both cars are fast, and the competition is strong. The crowd cheers as the cars speed down the track. In the final stretch, it is a neck-and-neck battle. The twins' car, a product of their combined efforts and reconciliation, shows its speed and stability. The finish line approaches, and the outcome is uncertain until the very last moment, creating a suspenseful end to the story.

Victory and Understanding

In a thrilling photo finish, Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield win the soapbox derby! They beat Ken Matthews, much to his surprise and their delight. The crowd applauds, and the twins receive the trophy and the ice cream prize. While winning is good, the real victory for them is the journey they took together. They realize that overcoming their differences and working as a team was the real reason for their success, strengthening their bond and the lesson learned.

Sharing the Prize

After their victory, Elizabeth and Jessica happily accept their prize. They immediately decide to share the trophy and the year's supply of ice cream with their family and friends. This act of sharing shows their new understanding of teamwork and that relationships are more important than individual glory. Their shared success strengthens their sisterly bond, proving that even identical twins with different personalities can do great things when they support each other. The story ends on a happy note with reinforced family values.

Principal Figures

Elizabeth Wakefield

The Protagonist

Elizabeth learns to compromise on her practical ideals and understands that the emotional bond and teamwork with her sister are as crucial as the technical aspects of a project.

Jessica Wakefield

The Protagonist

Jessica learns to balance her desire for glory with the importance of teamwork and compromise, realizing that shared success and a strong sisterly bond are more fulfilling than individual accolades.

Ken Matthews

The Antagonist

Ken's arc is limited; he primarily serves as a catalyst for the twins' motivation, experiencing a humbling defeat but not undergoing significant personal transformation.

Ned Wakefield

The Supporting

Ned serves as a consistent source of wisdom and practical help, facilitating his daughters' learning and growth without undergoing a personal arc himself.

Alice Wakefield

The Supporting

Alice provides a stable and nurturing presence, her role remaining consistent as an emotional anchor for her daughters.

Miss Davis

The Supporting

Miss Davis's role is static; she serves as an initial plot device without personal development.

Themes & Insights

Teamwork and Cooperation

The main theme is about working together to reach a goal. Despite their differences and a big argument, Elizabeth and Jessica learn that their combined efforts and ability to compromise are essential for success. The story shows that working together, where individual strengths complement each other, leads to better results than working alone or fighting. Their victory is a direct result of their reconciliation and collaborative spirit.

“'They knew they could do it if they worked together—but they had a big fight right before the race.'”

— Narrator

Sisterly Bond and Reconciliation

The book explores the unique and often challenging relationship between siblings, especially identical twins. It shows that even the closest bonds can be tested by disagreements and different personalities. However, it ultimately emphasizes the strength of this bond and the importance of forgiveness and understanding. The twins' ability to overcome their major argument and make up before the race is important, showing that their relationship is more valuable than any individual victory.

“'Can the twins make up in time to win?'”

— Narrator

Perseverance and Problem-Solving

Throughout building the car, the twins face many problems, from design disagreements to construction challenges. The story shows that success often requires persistence, a willingness to adapt, and creative problem-solving. They learn not to give up when things get difficult and to find solutions to unexpected obstacles. This theme reinforces that hard work and determination are key parts of reaching one's goals.

“'They knew they could do it if they worked together.'”

— Narrator

Humility vs. Arrogance

This theme is mainly explored through the contrast between the Wakefield twins and Ken Matthews. Ken's constant bragging and overconfidence show the negative aspects of arrogance, while the twins' initial struggles and eventual triumph, from hard work and teamwork, quietly champion humility. Ken's defeat serves as a mild warning, suggesting that boasting often comes before a fall, and that true success is earned rather than just stated.

“'Ken Matthews keeps bragging about how great his car is, and the twins are determined to beat him.'”

— Narrator

Plot Devices & Literary Techniques

Rivalry

The competition with Ken Matthews drives the twins' motivation.

The rivalry between the Wakefield twins and Ken Matthews serves as a primary external motivator for the protagonists. Ken's constant bragging about his car's superiority directly challenges Elizabeth and Jessica, transforming the friendly school event into a more intense competition. This rivalry provides a clear antagonist and a tangible goal for the twins to strive for, adding excitement and a sense of urgency to their efforts to build and race their car. It pushes them to work harder and overcome their own internal conflicts.

Inciting Incident

The announcement of the soapbox derby sets the plot in motion.

The announcement of the annual soapbox derby by Miss Davis acts as the inciting incident, immediately drawing Elizabeth and Jessica into the central conflict. This event presents them with a clear goal (to build and race a car, and ideally win) and introduces the challenges and opportunities for character development that will follow. Without this initial announcement, the twins would not embark on their journey of collaboration, conflict, and reconciliation.

Man vs. Man (Internal Conflict)

The twins' big argument is a central conflict that tests their relationship.

While there's an external rivalry with Ken, the most significant 'Man vs. Man' conflict is the internal struggle between Elizabeth and Jessica themselves, culminating in their big argument. Their differing personalities and priorities lead to a breakdown in their teamwork, threatening their project. This internal conflict is crucial for their character development, forcing them to confront their differences, learn compromise, and ultimately strengthen their sisterly bond. Resolving this conflict is essential for their eventual success in the race.

Critical analysis

Notable Quotes

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Key Questions (FAQ)

'The Big Race' is a children's book about twins Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield participating in a soapbox derby. They are determined to beat their classmate Ken Matthews, who is boasting about his car, but a disagreement threatens their chances of winning.

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