Friday Classic: Driving a bargain by Fleur Beale

Thomas’s dream of a classy overseas holiday with his rich friend Hamish is shattered when his mother tells him he cannot go. But after viewing an advertisement in the local dairy window, Thomas hatches the best holiday ever. In exchange for looking after a lively and difficult kid, Thomas and friends are allowed the use an old car on an empty section. During the holidays the boys learn a lot about driving, and fixing cars. But they also learn a lot more, including strategies for coping with difficult people, and there's a daring and difficult rescue.

This book is an entertaining tale of an unusual summer holiday, with some thought-provoking comments on friendship.