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?
Hero on a Bicycle
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Review
"A thrilling and moving tale, set in a wonderfully tendered background of war-torn Italy. Danger abounds, but so do love and courage. I enjoyed it enormously." (Philip Pullman) "It is a very exciting wartime story, and I am sure it will be a great success." (Judith Kerr)"
Book Description
A gripping and moving first novel by one of the world's best-loved writers for children.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By C. Colley
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
Shirley Hughes is one of the best-loved writers for children and at the grand age of 84, Shirley has just published her first novel. Hero on a Bicycle is suitable for confident readers aged around 10 and over, but adults can also enjoy this well-told story.
Set in Florence, Italy, during the Second World War, this story is inspired by the authors own experiences and on people she met in Italy, just after the war.
Thirteen-year-old Paolo lives in Florence with his English mother, older sister and his beloved dog, Guido. The Germans have invaded and Paolo's father is in hiding and secretly suspected of helping the Partisans, who are roaming the hills around Florence.
Paolo loves going for secret midnight bike rides. He knows this is dangerous because nightly curfews are in place and anyone caught breaking the rules would suffer at the hands of the German occupying force.
One night on his way home, Paolo is stopped by a group of Partisans. They ask him to take an important message to his mother, a message that leads them all in to a very dangerous adventure.
I won't spoil the plot by revealing anymore, but be prepared for a tense, dangerous, exciting and thrilling story, that does not shy away from the brutality and fear suffered in wartime. The plot and characters are very realistic and there is one scene that I found particularly emotional and moving.
This is NOT a comparison, but I enjoyed this book in a similar way that I enjoy Michael Morpurgo's wartime stories. I think this type of story can be enjoyed by young and old alike, and a realistic story is a good way to learn about a place and time in history.
For more historical details and information all about this book, there is also a great website to browse. Just google the book title.
Set in Florence, Italy, during the Second World War, this story is inspired by the authors own experiences and on people she met in Italy, just after the war.
Thirteen-year-old Paolo lives in Florence with his English mother, older sister and his beloved dog, Guido. The Germans have invaded and Paolo's father is in hiding and secretly suspected of helping the Partisans, who are roaming the hills around Florence.
Paolo loves going for secret midnight bike rides. He knows this is dangerous because nightly curfews are in place and anyone caught breaking the rules would suffer at the hands of the German occupying force.
One night on his way home, Paolo is stopped by a group of Partisans. They ask him to take an important message to his mother, a message that leads them all in to a very dangerous adventure.
I won't spoil the plot by revealing anymore, but be prepared for a tense, dangerous, exciting and thrilling story, that does not shy away from the brutality and fear suffered in wartime. The plot and characters are very realistic and there is one scene that I found particularly emotional and moving.
This is NOT a comparison, but I enjoyed this book in a similar way that I enjoy Michael Morpurgo's wartime stories. I think this type of story can be enjoyed by young and old alike, and a realistic story is a good way to learn about a place and time in history.
For more historical details and information all about this book, there is also a great website to browse. Just google the book title.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
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!!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Jan
Format:Hardcover
The name Shirley Hughes brings some wonderful books to mind, but none of them are novels. In the forward to this new book Ms Hughes tells us that this is a story she always knew she would write one day. She visited Florence not long after the end of the war and so this story has obviously been simmering away for some time while she entertained generations of children with her wonderful picture books.
The hero of the title is a thirteen year old boy, Paolo, who lives just outside the city of Florence with his sister Constanza, and their English mother. Their father is not at home as his sympathies lie not with the Italian Fascists and the German occupying force, but with the partisans who are trying to liberate Italy. He felt his family would be safer if he was not around, but they seem to find plenty of danger all by themselves. The family hide two escaped prisoners of war, who are trying to get back to their units and Paolo suddenly finds all the adventure and excitement he has been craving. He is a brave lad, and, with the aid of his trusty bicycle, he saves more than one life before the allied soldiers arrive, the war finally ends and his father is able to come home.
Shirley Hughes is a wonderful storyteller whether she is using words or pictures. I do hope there are other stories and novels that are simmering away waiting to delight us.
The hero of the title is a thirteen year old boy, Paolo, who lives just outside the city of Florence with his sister Constanza, and their English mother. Their father is not at home as his sympathies lie not with the Italian Fascists and the German occupying force, but with the partisans who are trying to liberate Italy. He felt his family would be safer if he was not around, but they seem to find plenty of danger all by themselves. The family hide two escaped prisoners of war, who are trying to get back to their units and Paolo suddenly finds all the adventure and excitement he has been craving. He is a brave lad, and, with the aid of his trusty bicycle, he saves more than one life before the allied soldiers arrive, the war finally ends and his father is able to come home.
Shirley Hughes is a wonderful storyteller whether she is using words or pictures. I do hope there are other stories and novels that are simmering away waiting to delight us.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good reading for children.
This was recommended by my grandson and is a story of the resistance and a young boys efforts to assist
Published 1 month ago by Jo
3.0 out of 5 stars
Hero on a bicyle
It arrived promptly and in good condition
Good value for money and a book I had looked forward to reading by a wonderful children's author
Good value for money and a book I had looked forward to reading by a wonderful children's author
Published 2 months ago by MRS AJP MEARING
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hero on a Bicyle
What a wonderful story, you really warm to each of the characters and what they were going through.
A book not just for children but for grown ups as well
A book not just for children but for grown ups as well
Published 2 months ago by Mrs LM Chandler
5.0 out of 5 stars
One to read
A great children's novel steeped in history and with an engaging plot. My daughter loved it and talked about it for days.
Published 2 months ago by Marcelle Orsi
5.0 out of 5 stars
utter brilliance
I really enjoyed this book it showed the events of the war and how it effected italy.Also it gave you a chance to see it from many diffrent peoples views letting you as a reader... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Amy Westray
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hero on a Bicycle
Havent read all of it yet but a really great book if your child likes history as much as my little girl
Published 4 months ago by Jane Anne George
5.0 out of 5 stars
A book for my grandson
My grandson is an avid reader and this book was recommended to me. He enjoyed it greatly and I hope to get some more books from this author.
Published 4 months ago by Saskia
4.0 out of 5 stars
A reasonably fast paced wartime story
This is Shirely Hughes first full length fiction book, and is surprisingly good. Set in Italy in 1944 near liberation day, it tells the story of English born Signora Crivelli and... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Book chatter
4.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
I'm not very keen on this new book cover! The blue silhouetted cover was fantastic, really captured the whole essence of the book. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Rolacolaandalex
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