Hero on a Bicycle Hardcover – April 23, 2013

This novel is a worthy capstone to Shirley Hughes's illustrious picture book career. Picture a British born woman, a longtime citizen of Italy, her teenage daughter and thirteen year old son fending for themselves in wartime Florence during German occupation as the war literally reaches their front yard. Father is fighting with the Partisans and nobody knows where he is. Signora Crivelli tries to keep a low profile because of her English nationality and husband's anti-Nazi politics but knows she is under the eye of the Gestapo. Her children miss their father and have lost normal childhoods because of the war. Enter two escaped Allied POW's foisted on the family by the Partisans and events take off. There is an interesting narrative style going on here as the story is told in the third person but with alternating points of view. Mother is scared and alone but determined to be brave and survive the war with her family intact. Teenage Costanza is excited by harboring the fugitives, though aware of their danger, and Paolo wants to be a hero and help the soldiers get back to the Partisans and then back to their units. Everybody's fears and courage are explored, especially as Paolo tries to escort the escapees to their next helpers. The story is very suspenseful as well as exploring moral issues and the complexities of war. The characters felt real and believable to me. It is not easy to write a major adult character in a children's book but Hughes pulls it off with Signora Crivelli. Costanza learns much as she is forced to grow up quickly and Paolo learns that war is not an adventurous game. Hero on a Bicycle is touching and full of believeable action. I believe readers 12 and up will enjoy the novel. Nobody is perfect. Yes, the Gestapo is hateful, but one young German officer is kind and helpful to the family. The Partisans are brave and reckless, but they are also ruthless as they battle for their country.Lots to think about here.

Is a great book for everyone. Bought it for 10 year old Grandsons and we all ended up reading it. Told in simple language, it's easy to understand for any age. Story of young people and their selfless acts of courage that propelled then to be heros in World War II. Would buy it again.

I purchased this for my ten year old grandson. He really enjoyed this book.

It was fine, but not much really happens. But a good kids' book and a nice way to learn about the subject.

My daughter enjoyed reading the book.

Yes this is a YA book, but it's really well written. I enjoyed this book as an adult and would highly recommend it to upper elementary (advanced readers) and middle school students. I enjoyed the different perspectives illustrated in the book.

A well written story of a brave family during a horrific time. Someone I know lived there at the time this story takes place and confirms it as the way it was.

gift for our grandson. he liked it

I bought this book for my granddaughter as part of her birthday. I also bought the kindle version so have read it myself. It is a great story well written and gives an insight, I think, to the younger generation about what some people did and suffered during the war. My granddaughter (age 10) has now started reading it and told me only last evening how much she was enjoying the book. So different from Mallory Towers and Famous Five!!

Italy 1944 during the Nazi occupation, Paolo's father is off with the Partisans or so he thought, Paolo, his sister Constanza and his mother are trying to survive the war as best they can. He trys to help by attempting to join the Partisans but he is to young they say, then the Partisans ask his mother if they will take in two allied airman and Paolo's adventures begin, an excellent well written book and well worth a read.

I really enjoyed this book. Very well written.

What a wonderful book. Absolutely gripping. Light reading. Would recommend to anyone who likes Shirley Hughes with Alfie & Annie Rose.

My grandson said this was a good story and he enjoyed it. I think it may have been a bit easy for him as he finished it in a couple of hours! Still sometimes it's good not to be challenged!