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Summer Wheels: A Heartwarming Story About Bikes, Friendship, and Neighborhood Generosity for Kids
The Bicycle Man lends bikes to the neighborhood kids for free, and Lawrence and Brady ride them all summer long. But when a new kid takes advantage of the Bicycle Man, Lawrence and Brady discover that there’s one thing that the Man likes more than kids. "An inspiring story."-- Kirkus Reviews
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
48 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1992
1 person is currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Eve Bunting
314 books411 followersAlso known as Evelyn Bolton and A.E. Bunting.
Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.
Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies… the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.” This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.
In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.
Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.
Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies… the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.” This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.
In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 31, 2022
Summer Wheels has an older audience than I was expecting. It's split into chapters, but is still very much a picture book.
This book features a lending library for used bikes, specifically for kids. Lawrence (the narrator) and Brady are always the first kids at the bike yard every morning so they can check out a bike, and they always return theirs on time. But one day, they meet a kid who isn't a regular patron. He borrows Lawrence's favorite bike - and he doesn't return it! Lawrence and Brady know this is wrong, so they track down the kid, who signed his name as a misspelled "Abrehem Lincin." But the next day, it happens again, because the lender (known only as the Man or the Bicycle Man) is very forgiving. Lawrence can't believe it, but he and Brady soon realize they have a lot to learn about people, kindness, and the blurry lines between right and wrong.
I really liked my initial read of this one. Once again, it is definitely a story for older kids, although it may work as a read aloud for younger students. It's a very strong story that addresses social issues such as stealing and the nature of second chances. It also addresses racism (through illustrations) and nontraditional families in a minor way, but one that I do think will stand out for students.
This book features a lending library for used bikes, specifically for kids. Lawrence (the narrator) and Brady are always the first kids at the bike yard every morning so they can check out a bike, and they always return theirs on time. But one day, they meet a kid who isn't a regular patron. He borrows Lawrence's favorite bike - and he doesn't return it! Lawrence and Brady know this is wrong, so they track down the kid, who signed his name as a misspelled "Abrehem Lincin." But the next day, it happens again, because the lender (known only as the Man or the Bicycle Man) is very forgiving. Lawrence can't believe it, but he and Brady soon realize they have a lot to learn about people, kindness, and the blurry lines between right and wrong.
I really liked my initial read of this one. Once again, it is definitely a story for older kids, although it may work as a read aloud for younger students. It's a very strong story that addresses social issues such as stealing and the nature of second chances. It also addresses racism (through illustrations) and nontraditional families in a minor way, but one that I do think will stand out for students.
September 2, 2015
The "Bicycle Man" fixes old bicycles and loans them to the kids of the neighborhood. There are only a few rules to borrow one: sign in the bike on time, and help fix it if it breaks when you are using it.
The kids are generally very careful about respecting these rules, but one day Leon appears. Leon has problems being responsible for his actions. He signs the bike out as "Abraham Lincoln" and fails in bring it back at the end of the day. When he is given a second chance he breaks the bicycle being deliberately imprudent and neglecting. The kids are very angry at him, but the Bicycle Man never gets tired of giving more opportunities.
Leon will learn how important is to accept the consequences of his actions and will do his best to be responsible and change his ways. He seems to appreciate the Bicycle Man intention of help him.
He is not the only one who can learn something out of this situation. Lawrence and Brady will learn that being kind and friendly would bring a better outcome. I found this story really emotional.
Allen's illustrations are done in charcoal, pastel and colored pencil. They are not full of details, but more in a diffuse style. I personally liked them.
*This review is part of my project Characters with character
Check out more children's book reviews in my Reviews in Chalk Blog!
The kids are generally very careful about respecting these rules, but one day Leon appears. Leon has problems being responsible for his actions. He signs the bike out as "Abraham Lincoln" and fails in bring it back at the end of the day. When he is given a second chance he breaks the bicycle being deliberately imprudent and neglecting. The kids are very angry at him, but the Bicycle Man never gets tired of giving more opportunities.
Leon will learn how important is to accept the consequences of his actions and will do his best to be responsible and change his ways. He seems to appreciate the Bicycle Man intention of help him.
He is not the only one who can learn something out of this situation. Lawrence and Brady will learn that being kind and friendly would bring a better outcome. I found this story really emotional.
Allen's illustrations are done in charcoal, pastel and colored pencil. They are not full of details, but more in a diffuse style. I personally liked them.
*This review is part of my project Characters with character
Check out more children's book reviews in my Reviews in Chalk Blog!
October 30, 2022
I really liked my initial read of this one. It is definitely a story for older kids, although it may work as a read aloud for younger students. It's a very strong story that addresses social issues such as stealing and the nature of second chances. It also addresses racism (through illustrations) and nontraditional families in a minor way, but one that I do think will stand out for students.
Read my full review on my Goodreads account for children's books
Read my full review on my Goodreads account for children's books
October 24, 2023
Two boys with an innate sense of fairness pair up with the Bicycle Man who lends out bikes on the honor system from Mrs. Pirelli's garage. Both Lawrence (the "good" boy) comments that the Bicycle Man is sometimes a "dumb fool" while Leon (the "bad" boy) also calls Bicycle Man a fool. The garage "loses its magic" with the addition of Leon, but he and Bicycle Man have an understanding that's over Lawrence and Brady's heads. A bonus are the blended colors and nifty bike poses by Thomas B. Allen, creator of great Scruggs & Flatt album covers.
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July 27, 2021Eve Bunting is an amazing writer! Character values are emphasized through this short-chapter read. Decision making and choices make this book good for discussion starters.
January 15, 2015
This book I am currently reading with two fourth grade girls. It is a level N guided reading. Brady and Lawrence visit the bicycle man every day to use a bike. A new child comes and is not honest with the bicycle man. How does Lawrence feel in the story, well you will have to read it and find out. I enjoy the language that Eve uses to show character feelings.
September 30, 2011
Two boys demonstrate responsibility and good character when the borrow bicycles from a shop and return them, which is the deal. They try to teach an older boy the right lesson here and are successful with the help of an older gentleman who runs the bike lending shop.
April 24, 2009
The bicycle man lets kids borrow his bikes for daily use, but when "Abrahim" Lincoln signs ot the best bike under this fictitious name the other boys are concerned he won't bring it back.
September 18, 2016
I don't know how she does it. I have yet to find an Eve Bunting book I don't love.
October 13, 2016
Phenomenal book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews