Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen

by Cari Best, Christine Davenier (Illustrator)

I can pop a wheelie, I can touch the sky,
I can pedal backwards, I can really fly!

Sally Jean was born to ride. And her bicycle, Flash, is just about her best friend. But one day something terrible - and wonderful - happens. Sally Jean grows. Suddenly she finds herself too big
for Flash. What's a Bicycle Queen to do? Finally, by collecting old bicycle parts to make a new bike - and giving Flash to a young friend who longs for a bigger bike of his own - she rides
again!

With exuberant art that's just the right match for Sally Jean's new found freedom, this joyous text celebrates growing up, learning new skills, and giving back to the community.

Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Bicycles, Fiction, Self Reliance

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 18, 2006

About the author

Cari Best has written many award-winning picture books, including Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, and My Three Best Friends and Me, described by the New York Times as “refreshing” and “exciting.” Her most recent picture book is If I Could Drive, Mama, was described by Publishers Weekly as “a wonderful tribute to an imagination in perpetual motion.” In the Country of Queens is her first novel. Ms. Best lives in Connecticut.

Reviews

[Misha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this one. For one, Sally is awesome. It's about a girl who loves bikes but when her bike breaks and her parents can't afford a new one (yay--a picture book about families who aren't made of money!), she works in a junk shop and learns how to fix and make bikes. Then she even gives her old favorite bicycle away.

[Sara Mangan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sally Jean loves to ride bike. Unfortunately, she eventually out grows her bike. She has to be creative to find a way to get a new bike.

Genre: Contemporary realistic fiction because this story could really happen but the characters are fictional.

Writing traits:
1- Ideas- The main message of this story is something students could relate to. It has a good message of being creative and hard working to get what you want.
2- Voice- The author shares with us the excitement in Sally Jean's voice and she sings about her bike. The words are even bigger and in different colors to help convey this.
3- Conventions- The dialog between the characters in this book is written well. The author also capitalizes the word bike when Sally is talking about it as an actual name.

Classroom uses:
1- You could read the book to the class and have them write a story about something they really like to do, as much as Sally likes to ride bike, and how they would overcome an event that prevented them for doing something they enjoy.
2- Students could look at this book to see different ways they could show a change of voice and/or singing in their writing.
3- Students could easily use this book to see how to write conversations in their own stories.
4- Simply the message of this book is a good one for students. It teaches them that you need to work hard and not give up for something you really want to do.

Reading level: 4.3

[Miriam Axel-lute · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since my daughter grabbed this book off the library shelf a few years ago, we have gotten our own copy and gifted it to many others. It's just marvelous.

Quick summary: Girl grows up biking (bike seat to tricycle to training wheels...). Then she outgrows her bike and her family can't afford a new one. So she first raises money by fixing other kids' bikes and then takes salvaged parts and builds herself a new one.

What's not to love? Girl with attitude. Parents who both help her learn to fix bikes. Ingenuity, spunk, and recycling. But also, looking a little deeper: urban kid whose parents aren't rich, with some freedom to roam her neighborhood and earn her own money. Trying several things before one works. Sticking to something that takes a long time even though you are daunted and your friends question whether you can do it. But all without being hamhanded about the message. Generosity (she gives her outgrown bike to a young friend). Exuberance.

NB: Though the main character is white, at least not all of her friends are.

Oh, and it's well written, which I can attest to after having read now it many many times. And it can hold the attention of a class of 2nd graders

[Alison Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciate any book that is both entertaining to read and demonstrates the power of hard work. Sally Jean is The Bicycle Queen and has been a bike lover her whole life. But when she outgrows her bicycle, Flash, she has to figure out how to get a new bike - she works jobs and, in the end, builds her own (like a boss!). I like the little ditties that Sally Jean sings to celebrate her milestones as well as the mixture of fonts and page layouts - they really help to keep the book fun.

[Jannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sally Jean, a girl with a dream: she's going to be the bicycle queen!
As she grows up, Sally Jean grows up with her yard sale find of a bicycle, Flash.
But then SJ outgrows Flash. Her parents can't afford to get her a new bike.
Does she give up?
NO!
She volunteers to help someone with their junk to earn bike accessories, helps other people repair their own bikes to make a little money, and scavenges for parts until she can create a new two-wheeled sidekick.
I love this girl's persistence, creativity, and tenacity to seize any opportunity that approaches her to finish meeting her goal!

[Renita Eidenschink · Rating 5 out of 5]

My very own bicycle queen loved this. What I especially enjoyed was the ingenuity and generosity of the main character--and *BONUS*, she out grows her bike and ends up teaching other kids how to fix their own bikes until she finds a way to get herself a new one. Anytime my daughters can read about a bold, got get 'em, fix-it-up girl, I'm game!

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book; it's about growing up, self-reliance, recycling and putting old things to good use, and of course, bicycles. What more could you ask for in a book!?! It's a great book to read aloud. We really enjoyed reading this book together.

[Rosana Olivas]

The book Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen focuses on the life event of learning how to ride a bicycle. It opens with a flashback of Sally Jean being a baby on the back of her own mother’s bicycle. Then, we see Sally Jean riding her tricycle as a toddler. Finally, we see Sally Jean on her own real bicycle. She is now one of the ‘big kids’ on their bikes that she used to pass before she was big enough to ride one herself. The book displays the newfound freedom that the main character, Sally Jean, experiences in being able to ride her bike anywhere she wants. This book represents a life event in that riding a bicycle is seen as a rite of passage. Bicycle riding is even encouraged and often accessible at school, as seen in the book. From the reading “Picturebook Codes”, it’s stated that, “...the changing representation of light, artificial and natural… are not accidental or fortuitous phenomena, but downright basic to the symbolic force of the story.” (Moebius 254). Within Sally Queen, the character is never shown indoors. While riding her bike outside, she is always free in the open space. The colors and lighting of the pictures are bright from the sunny outside world. This displays how learning a new skill such as riding a bike makes a child’s world brighter, more open, and grants them freedom previously unknown.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

To celebrate our granddaughter's move to riding a bicycle, I found this perfect book at our library. I read it to her during a video chat which inspired her to check it out at her library. There are so many lessons hidden in the sing-song prose, though, that I ordered a copy and we read it every night during her visit. She now has it on her shelf and will likely have it memorized before long.

The book shows Sally Jean growing into various types of tricycles and bikes, enjoying each stage while looking forward to eventually getting to ride with the big kids. During the process, she watches, helps, and learns to adjust and make repairs to her bikes. This comes in handy and her creative way to solve her dilemma is pure girl power!

Sally Jean sings a song as she rides and I wish there was a melody provided on a back page. I made up a tune as probably everyone does, but if this fun book is ever read to someone who's already familiar with it, the tune will surely be different. That's my only suggestion for this book, but I do want to know what Sally Jean is going to tackle next!

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story of encouragement for girls - and boys - to put effort into what they want to accomplish. It shows that girls - and all children - can learn to make things happen for themselves. Great illustrations.

[Zoe Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a really good story line about working hard for something that you love and want. The illustrations are great and it really adds to the book. I would definitely read this to my future students.

[Jerod · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is an energetic, joyful story about a girl who loves her bike. She rides her bike all the time until one day she outgrows her bike. With hard work and dedication, she collects old bicycle parts to build a new bike while learning perseverance, independence, and generosity along the way.

[Amanda Walz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way Sally Jean grew and learned how to think outside the box. That she solved her problem by thinking outside the box.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boastful claim

[Katherine Decker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book about a little girl's journey with bicycles.

[Ron Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how it captures the joy of riding a bike. Which in this world of videogames, social media and indoor pursuits, is being lost on kids.

[Caryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sally Jean is pretty impressive.
Love her can-do spirit!

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet. Making your own way and finding yourself.

[Kyle Sunich · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun little book to read with good illustrations. It tells of a good story that would be engaging for young children. It has funny moments that would be a good read for young readers.

[Davanh Souvanarath]

I enjoyed reading along as Sally Jean grew with her bike. This story is about Sally Jean who loves to ride er bike, until one day she grows bigger than her bike. Sally Jean has to find a way to get a new bike but must come up with some money. I chose this book for my girl empowerment text set because it shows a young girl doing something she loves to do. Also, when something gets in the way she works hard to find a solution to her problem. At the end of the story she helps a little boy become a bicycle king. Just because the story's main character was a girl, the story was not biased toward gender at all. It was an easy read and I could see young readers (both boys and girls) engaging in this text. The illustrations supported the story and helped as a visual when they were talking about Sally Jean out growing her bike. Although the illustrations mainly focused on Sally Jean, the book had diversity in characters. There were characters big, small, and of multiple ethnic groups. The genre of this story is realistic fiction.

[Christine Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can pop a wheelie, I can touch the sky,
I can pedal backwards, I can really fly!
Sally Jean was born to ride. And her bicycle, Flash, is just about her best friend. But one day something terrible - and wonderful - happens. Sally Jean grows. Suddenly she finds herself too big
for Flash. What's a Bicycle Queen to do? Finally, by collecting old bicycle parts to make a new bike - and giving Flash to a young friend who longs for a bigger bike of his own - she rides
again! With exuberant art that's just the right match for Sally Jean's new found freedom, this joyous text celebrates growing up, learning new skills, and giving back to the community.

Subject: Bicycles -- Juvenile fiction.
Money-making projects for children -- Juvenile fiction.
Self-reliance -- Juvenile fiction.
Growth -- Juvenile fiction.

[Regina]

This book was recommended to me as a picture book that positively portrays life in an urban environment. Sally Jean loves to ride her bicycle, Flash, but when she outgrows Flash she must get a new bike. But her family doesn't have the ability to buy her a new bike! Sally Jean learned to repair her bicycle and starts to help friends and neighbors out with their bikes. Through the process she realizes that she can build herself a new bike from used parts!
I loved the resourcefulness that the protagonist displayed and her overall positive attitude. It was also great to see a family with financial constrains portrayed in such positive light.
The illustrations are bright and lively and really bring the story to life.

[Felicity The Magnificent · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book when Sally was one, she rode on the back of her Momma's bike. When Sally Jean was two, she got her own tricycle. When she turned four, she had her bike with two wheelers with training wheels. When she was five, she took her training wheels off her two-wheeler. She practiced going up the hill and down the hill. Her Mom told her she had to raise her seat. And her bicycle got bigger. When she had to raise her seat a little more, she tried and tried but couldn't. Her brother and her friends asked if she wanted to use their bikes. She tried skating, but that didn't work. She made a new bicycle. And she gave her old bicycle to her brother. I liked this book because she had a bicycle. -by Felicity

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this fun picture book to our first and second grade students!

A perfect book for April(Environmental Awareness month)/May (bike month) as Sally Jean grows with her bicycle, Flash, first learning how to ride it, then taking care of it and helping others to take care of their bikes, too. When she outgrows her bike, she must figure out a way to get another one, since her parents cannot afford to buy one. So what can she do?

With the help of a neighbor, her parents and friends, she figures out a way to do it...and helps someone else at the same time.

Many themes besides bicycles and recycling...perseverance; positive thinking; sharing; helping others; growing up; initiative...

41/2 stars! All in all a great read!

[Emelda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe loves all things that move, but I try to focus on bikes and trains (as cars, trucks and construction machines are raping and murdering our planet). He LOVES this book. It follows Sally Jean and her bicycling neighborhood and family as she grows up. By the time Sally Jean turns 8, she needs a new bike but her family can't afford one. Being the resourceful girl she is, she opens a learn-to-fix-your-bicycle shop and tries to raise the funds for a bike on her own. She only raises enough for 2 ties and then decides to put together a bike with junk parts. D.I.Y. ethics for children!! Absolutely adorable.

[Jo ☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sally Jean loves to ride her bike named Flash but when she gets too big for her bike and her parents can't afford to buy her a new one until next year, Sally Jean must come up with a way to get a new bike now! Using old bicycle parts and junk Sally Jean finds in her neighbour's yard, she builds herself a new bike. I cycle, You cycle, Recycle Junk! Sally Jean even comes up with a way to reuse her old bike, by giving it to a younger boy in her neighbourhood!

What a fun and inspiring read. :)

[Caroline (Cary) · Rating 4 out of 5]

All her life, Sally Jean has watched big kids on their bicycles and waited impatiently to be as big and as good as they are. When she finally outgrows her training wheels and gets her first big-kid bike, she and Flash (the bike) travel around the neighborhood, doing tricks and making new friends. Soon, though, Sally Jean grows too big to ride Rocket anymore, and begins the search for another bike. Rhyming songs that Sally sings while riding make this a fun read-along, and vivid, painterly illustrations by Cari Best capture visual attention. Suitable for ages 4-8.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through all the stages of Sally Jean's bicycle-riding life, we see her become more and more confident in her abilities...until that sad day when her most beloved bike, Flash, has become too small for her. Her parents can't afford a new one, but they did give her the 'tools' and self-reliance to figure out how to plan for a new one. She sets up her own bike repair business (after her parent's show her how to fix a flat, raise the handlebars, and adjust the seat). Little by little, piece by piece (from neighbor, Mr. Mettle's junkyard) Sally Jean is riding high again!