The Bicycle Man [Hardcover]

David L. Dudley (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Twelve-year-old Carissa lives with her widowed mother, Lorena, in rural Georgia. There aren’t many ways for a black woman in the South in 1927 to make a living. Lorena does laundry for white ladies, but she wants Carissa to have the opportunities that come with education. Both of them yearn to move up north, where Carissa was born.

Into their lives rides an elderly man on a shiny blue bicycle.
Bailey is a wanderer, a storyteller, a thinker, a kind and sociable man who can repair and tighten up and fix just about anything.
Soon he’s part of Carissa’s life, almost like the grandfather she never had. He teaches her how to ride his bicycle, and how to find her balance in other ways as well, and Bailey’s time with Carissa and her mother helps him decide how to continue his own journey.

A vividly rendered setting, strong, memorable characters, and a narrative rich in humorous and poignant moments make this first novel a compelling and distinctive coming-of-age story.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6–A story set in rural Georgia in 1927, where poverty, drudgery, and racism are all part of everyday life for African Americans. If she hadn't been talking to her friend Poppy, who was hidden by the branches of an enormous tree, 12-year-old Carissa might never have met Bailey, an elderly stranger who demonstrates kindness, wisdom, and patience. He makes her rethink her mother's admonition to trust no one. The leisurely pace of the novel gives readers plenty of time to think about philosophical issues, such as when it's worth fighting back and when it is better to practice self-control. There's not much action and some of the dialogue is written in dialect, but those who get past those factors will find complex characters and rich themes. While Bailey is a bit too good to be true and there are a few too many easy resolutions, there is much here to digest and a wealth of material for book discussions.–Faith Brautigam, Gail Borden Public Library District, Elgin, IL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. In the late 1920s in rural Georgia, times are hard for 12-year-old Carissa, who must help her widowed mother after school with the backbreaking work of doing white folks'laundry. One day they take in a kind, older drifter, Bailey, who not only teaches Carissa to ride his bicycle but also helps her and Mama confront the past and find the strength to ride free. Bailey is too wise and perfect, almost a preacher, telling stories that teach lessons. But he has his own secrets, and in a wonderful turnaround, Carissa changes him. There is no sentimentality: the history is harsh (born a slave and raised in a sharecropping family, Bailey talks about his shock at seeing his father's back scarred from whipping), and separate "colored" schools and entrances are part of daily life for Carissa. Firmly rooted in the time and place, this first novel is an elemental drama about the search for identity and the answer to the question, when do you stand up? Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 249 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (October 17, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618542337
• ISBN-13: 978-0618542338
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 8.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,334,499 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for all ages, January 1, 2006

By 

Denise Schwab (California USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Bicycle Man (Hardcover)

I want to let readers know this is a truly must read for all ages. Pre-teens, teens, young adults and adults alike will gain truth and insight into themselves; reminding them that freedom is not free. Having not heard of this author before, I can honestly say this writer has heart and wants to reach his readers on many levels. I cannot say enough good things and what a wonderful feeling I walked away with after reading it. My hope is this is not a one-hit wonder. If you like the work of Nicholas Sparks or Nicholas Evans, you'll enjoy the likes of David Dudley even more!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A touching story of loss and hope..., November 15, 2005

By 

Chris Miller (Oak Harbor, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bicycle Man (Hardcover)

An excellent read from start to finish. It is wonderful to see an author who takes the time to develop characters and drive the plot without offering two-bit explanations and inch-deep resolutions to conflict. Dudley does not try to solve all of Carissa's problems, and presents good lessons on life's hardships and the need to know what is worth fighting for. A solid work for all ages, especially for young people developing their sense of moral character and integrity. Highly reccommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very moving book, November 8, 2005

By 

Elizabeth J. Hancock (Coronado, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Bicycle Man (Hardcover)

Having moved to a small rural community when I was young from a larger city, I was really able to identify with Carissa and her difficulties fitting in and making friends. A wonderful example of when to stand up for yourself and also when to move on and not let people drag you down to their level. I enjoyed the interactions of the characters and the glimpse into hardships of the time period. I'm looking forward to other books by the author!