Okay, Riders, Set 'Em Up
A new BMX book!
Summary/Review, Discussion Questions, Suggested Writing Assignments, and Extension Ideas

Summary/Review:

Okay, Riders, Set 'Em Up by Rich Wielkiewicz tells the story of Nate Walker's first year as a novice BMX bicycle racer. The book begins with Nate's attempts to overcome his parents' concerns about the safety of the sport and then gives a detailed account of his races and eventual success in the Novice division at the BMX Grand Nationals. In addition to telling an engaging story, the book also provides a great deal of information about the intricacies of BMX racing. In fact, it would make an excellent "how to guide" for potential BMX racers and their parents. Readers who are thinking about becoming involved in BMX racing or those already involved should find the book interesting and informative. However, readers without an interest in BMX racing or other "extreme" sports may find the book's detail and use of BMX terms a bit distracting.  


Okay, Riders, Set 'Em Up would make a great addition to any elementary school library or any intermediate-grade classroom collection of books about students' favorite sports and hobbies. It would also be an excellent selection for homeschoolers who are involved in or interested in learning about bicycle racing. The fact that BMX racing will be an event in the 2008 Summer Olympics should increase students' interest in reading about the sport. This book is available from Main Event Press.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why were Nate's parents worried about him becoming a BMX racer? What did he do to convince his parents to let him try the sport?

2. Have your parents ever been worried about letting you try an activity that you were interested in? What did you do or say to try to convince them to let you try it?

3. Nate really became motivated and excited about BMX racing. What was it about BMX racing that made Nate so motivated and excited?

4. What sports and activities are you motivated or excited about? What is it about these activities that makes you so motivated or excited?

5. Nate wasn't successful right away in his BMX races. What things did Nate do to try to improve his racing results? Did his efforts pay off?

6. Have you ever been discouraged after the first few times you tried something? What did you do to try to improve? Did your efforts pay off?

7. Do you think you might want to try BMX racing? Why or why not?

8. BMX racing is an "extreme sport." What do you think that means? What might be some other extreme sports?

9. What is it about extreme sports that makes people want to try them?

10. Would you be interested in trying any extreme sports? If so, which ones and why?

 Writing Assignment Suggestions:

1. Write a persuasive letter that Nate might have written to his parents trying to convince them to let him try BMX racing. In your letter, give at least three reasons why Nate's parents should let him try the sport.

2. Write an essay that describes your feelings when you participate in your favorite sport or activity. Compare your feelings to the feelings Nate experienced during his first year of BMX racing.

3. Okay, Riders, Set 'Em Up uses a lot of BMX terminology. Write definitions for the following terms, and use each in a sentence: BMX, NAG, main, novice, hole shot, manual (manuel), rhythm section, and bunnyhop. Go the following links if you need help: Glossary of BMX Terms and Glossary of BMX Freestyle Terms.

4. Write a "how to guide" or manual that explains what someone would need to know and do in order to get started in BMX racing. Get some ideas for this assignment by going to BMX Racing for the Newbie, How to Start BMX Racing, or Getting Started in BMX.

Extensions and Related Activities:

1. Explore the history of bicycles at Peddling History Bicycles Museum or Bicycle History: Birth of the Bicycle.
2. Complete a Bicycle Safety WebQuest.

3. Learn about extreme sports by doing an Extreme Sports WebQuest.

4. Discover how to get started in BMX by going to Beginner's Guide to Getting Started in BMX Racing or Getting Started in BMX.

5. Research the history of BMX racing at the following web sites: BMX History from The Bicycle Channel, BMX Museum.com, BMX History at 23magbmx, and Joe Kidd on a Stingray - The History of BMX.

6. Read about the Bejing 2008 Summer Olympics where BMX racing will make its debut as an Olympic sport!    


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