Born to Run: The Story of Johnny 99

Hardcover available at www.WendyParnell.com

Johnny 99 has been caught racing in the street─again. Now he’s in trouble with his dad─again. Wanting to assert his independence and in hopes of finding adventure, Johnny 99 leaves his hometown to travel across the country. He returns home a changed car.

Knowledge of Bruce Springsteen’s music is not a requirement for the enjoyment of this book. The book's themes of independence, adventure, redemption, love and family are largely universal and will appeal to a diverse audience: from the elementary school set to the high school or college graduate who may find him or herself identifying with the book's protagonist, on up to any age reader. This is a picture book for all ages.

However, with almost one hundred references to Bruce Springsteen and his music, this book is a fun I Spy with its compendium of song titles, album titles and trivia for the readers to find and a great gift for any Springsteen fan.