Families who loved Tom Swift and His Electric Runabout by Victor Appleton often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is obsessed with how things work or feels a constant need for speed and competition. It is a perfect fit for the budding engineer who finds joy in the workshop and needs to see that persistence and technical skill can lead to extraordinary triumphs. This classic adventure follows Tom Swift as he designs a record-breaking electric car to win a high-stakes race, facing both mechanical failures and corporate sabotage along the way. While written over a century ago, the core themes of innovation and self-reliance remain highly relevant. Parents might choose this to bridge the gap between historical literature and modern STEM interests. It offers a nostalgic look at the birth of the automotive age while celebrating a young person's agency. Note that because it was published in 1910, some cultural depictions are dated, making it a great opportunity for guided reading and conversation about how society has changed.
