Look insideHero on a Bicycle
In extraordinary circumstances, people are capable of extraordinary things… It is 1944 and Florence is occupied by Nazi German forces. The Italian resistance movement has not given up hope, though – and neither have Paolo and his sister, Constanza. Both are desperate to fight the occupation. But what can two siblings do against a whole army with only a bicycle to help them? A gripping and powerful story of war and courage by a classic name in children’s fiction.
Recent reviews
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I really enjoyed this war-themed book, with a twist. At the moment I think the war story genre is saturated with terrible war books. But this war novel is absolutely brilliant. The aspect of the story that made it better was that it was not set in Britian, Germany or France like other war novels. Instead this book was set in Italy, which means this book is behind enemy lines and does not see that much action, but when it does- it is action packed! I quite like the fact that it wasnt a book full of war as it does get repetitive sometimes! This meant that there was a lot of room to get to know the characters. My favourite scene was when Poalo and Constanza were walking home from the town square when a mine is set off and a massive explosion rips the ground apart. My heart was beating fast at this point because as I turned the pages throughout the next chapter I was dying to find out if anybody had died. My favourite character is Joe who is an escaped prisoner of war. The italian resistance sent him to the Crivelli family until he could escape the country. As the family was put into danger by doing this he said that he would leave to avoid trouble, fortunately for him the family insisted he stayed- no matter what danger he would put them in. Later we find that the secret police has shot a crucial character in the books storyline. Obviously you will have to read the book to find out! I rate this book 10/10, a fast-paced page turner!
Ben, aged 13
8 July 2013
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I really love this book because it’s full of adventure and truth. it also shows courage and hope through war
27 January 2013
Who's reading this?
Authors
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Shirley Hughes
Shirley Hughes is the creator of classic childhood favourites like Dogger and the Alfie series. We think she’s a national treasure!
Awards
Shirley Hughes has twice won the Kate Greenaway Award, for Dogger and Ella’s Big Chance, and was the first ever recipient of the Booktrust Lifetime Achievement Award.
Book-Club-Review-Team