Off to the Races,

by Fred Phleger

A boy is told he is too young to go to the bike rally with his older brother, but follows him there anyway and comes in second in a race. Google Books

Hardcover

First published October 12, 1968

Reviews

[Mavis’s Dad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Off to the Races is a book about a youngster who wants to keep up with his bicycling brother. Alas, he’s not old enough to tag along just yet. Or is he?

Moral: When your elders tell you that something is outside of your age range, they’re probably not lying.

Length: This is a 1968 learn how to read book, so it’s much longer than what kids do today.

Favorite Line: “I’m lucky he’s after honey and not after me.”

Overall impression: I was absolutely sure I was going to despise this. And when the kid runs into a bear on his bike ride, I was about to bail. But it surprised me with some tender moments between siblings and a really cool carnival of bike competitions. If there’s one thing that has stayed consistent since 1968, it’s kids riding bikes. And if two things are the same, well then, kids thinking they can do something outside their skill set is the second. This book won’t inspire you to love reading, but it has me wanting to dust off my bike and give it a spin.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written during the bicycling craze, this feels dated.

[Willow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used to read this book a lot! My Dad had this book when he was little and he really liked it.