The Bicycle by Patricia McCormick and Mevan Babakar illustrated by Yas Imamura

"When Mevan was a little girl she lived in a land where figs fell from the trees and the air smelled like honeysuckle."

Mevan lived in Kurdistan in the north of Iraq. 

"But the ruler of Iraq had always made the people in Kurdistan feel like they didn't belong. ... Then he sent soldiers to force them out of their homes."

Mevan and her family have to leave. Mevan tries to stay small and invisible. After trying to find a home in many different countries and after two years of dangerous travel the family arrive in the Netherlands. Looking out of the window Mevan sees kids and grown-up riding their bikes with big smiles. What she doesn't know is that someone has been watching her. It is Egbert, the building maintenance man. 

"He bought blankets to one family, a lamp to another, a coat to one family, a flowerpot to another."

Have you guessed his gift for Mevan? You will be in tears when you read the epilogue to this story. As an adult Mevan is able to go back to the Netherlands and through social media she finds Egbert. 

The author asks you to think - "in a world where there are many people running from war, from hunger, from hatred ... what's one kind thing I can do?"

As an adult reader, when you pick up this book, do not skip past the author's note on the first page. Kirkus say this too: An important, stirring tale—just be sure to read the backmatter.

"Millions of children all over the world are refugees like I was. As I write, there are more than 43 million children who have had to leave their homes because it isn't safe for them to stay there. ... Our family went from Kurdistan to Türkiye, Azerbaijan to Russia, the Netherlands and finally the United Kingdom. Over the course of four years we travelled by car, by boat, by foot, by ferry, by plane and by train. In Russia we were robbed by people who pretended to help us and left us stranded, we told the police but instead of helping us, they ripped up our refugee papers. Being a refugee will always be a part of who I am ...But it's also taught me about the miraculous power of kindness."  Mevan Babakar

Read more about this true story here. And the author talks to the UNHCR in the UK.

My friend alerted me to this book which she discovered because she keeps an eye on titles listed for the Read with Empathy Collection. If you work in a school or public library these lists contain a wealth of fantastic books. The other bonus is that exploring these lists you might discover publishers that produce other great books. The publisher of The Bicycle is Farshore (imprint of Harper Collins).

Welcome to Farshore! We are dedicated to our mission of making every child a proud reader, with books that will delight children of all ages – from early years to primary, secondary, and beyond. Whether they are a seasoned bookworm, reluctant reader, or somewhere in the middle, we’ve got titles that will inspire, challenge, and make them laugh out loud.

With our Australian children it would be good to pair this book with The Wobbly Bike - and then have a discussion with your older students about the different life experiences of the two children in these books - a refugee child and a child living in rural Australia. 

The Wobbly Bike

You might also have this book in your library:

I previously shared these books illustrated by Yas Imamura who lives in the US.

Love in the Library

Do Something for Someone else

This is a book you really should add to your library collection. 

Mulga Bill's Bicycle by PB Paterson illustrated by Kilmeny and Deborah Niland

Last week I shared some Australian books that teachers or Teacher-Librarian could display or read to groups for Australia Day. Our schools here in Australia are always on their summer holidays when this public holiday is celebrated but you could still share the books I mentioned during the first few weeks of the term especially when new classes have not yet been formed. My previous school waited through the first week before forming their classes and this was always a difficult period for the students, keen to meet their new teacher, and the staff who would much prefer to meet their new class having already said goodbye to their previous students at the end of last year.

I realised when I posted about some terrific picture books with an Australian flavour that I had not talked about Mulga Bill's Bicycle here on this blog. I have read this version to many students in Grade 4 - it is good to share poetry by one of our very famous bush poets but as a bonus the story of this poem is so funny. The first steps though need to be an unpackaging of some of the words and phrases. I have added bold to the text of the poem below.

Here are some teaching ideas. I would share the poem, then the book and then you could perhaps use this video (it is not perfect but it is the best one I found).

Banjo Paterson wrote the poem in 1896, a time when cycling was a relatively new and popular activity. It tells the story of Mulga Bill who thinks he will have no problem riding his velocipede, you know, one of those bicycles that has a huge wheel in the front and a teensy weensy one at the back. After a hair-raising ride he crash lands in Dead Man’s Creek and decides that the bicycle “ it’s safe at rest in Dead Man’s Creek – we’ll leave it lying still; A horse’s back is good enough henceforth for Mulga Bill’. Storylinks

Publisher blurb: Mulga Bill's Bicycle was written by Banjo Paterson in 1896. It was written at a time when cycling was a relatively new and popular social activity. Cycles were ridden everywhere, including in the outback by shearers and other workers who needed to travel cheaply. Mulga Bill's Bicycle tells the hilarious story of Mulga Bill, who thinks he's much better at cycling than he turns out to be. A resounding crash sends him back to his original mode of transport - his trusty horse. Kilmeny and Deborah Niland's delightful illustrations catch the mood and humour of Paterson's verse with great spirit, and this book has become an enduring classic.

'Twas Mulga Bill, from Eaglehawk, that caught the cycling craze;

He turned away the good old horse that served him many days;

He dressed himself in cycling clothes, resplendent to be seen;

He hurried off to town and bought a shining new machine;

And as he wheeled it through the door, with air of lordly pride,

The grinning shop assistant said, "Excuse me, can you ride?"

"See here, young man," said Mulga Bill, "from Walgett to the sea,

From Conroy's Gap to Castlereagh, there's none can ride like me.

I'm good all round at everything, as everybody knows,

Although I'm not the one to talk; I hate a man that blows.

But riding is my special gift, my chiefest, sole delight;

Just ask a wild duck can it swim, a wildcat can it fight.

There's nothing clothed in hair or hide, or built of flesh or steel,

There's nothing walks or jumps, or runs, on axle, hoof, or wheel,

But what I'll sit, while hide will hold and girths and straps are tight:

I'll ride this here two-wheeled concern right straight away at sight."

'Twas Mulga Bill, from Eaglehawk, that sought his own abode,

That perched above the Dead Man's Creek, beside the mountain road.

He turned the cycle down the hill and mounted for the fray,

But ere he'd gone a dozen yards it bolted clean away.

It left the track, and through the trees, just like a silver streak,

It whistled down the awful slope towards the Dead Man's Creek.

It shaved a stump by half an inch, it dodged a big white-box:

The very wallaroos in fright went scrambling up the rocks,

The wombats hiding in their caves dug deeper underground,

As Mulga Bill, as white as chalk, sat tight to every bound.

It struck a stone and gave a spring that cleared a fallen tree,

It raced beside a precipice as close as close could be;

And then as Mulga Bill let out one last despairing shriek

It made a leap of twenty feet into the Dead Man's Creek.

'Twas Mulga Bill from Eaglehawk, that slowly swam ashore:

He said, "I've had some narrer shaves and lively rides before;

I've rode a wild bull round a yard to win a five-pound bet,

But this was the most awful ride that I've encountered yet.

I'll give that two-wheeled outlaw best; It's shaken all my nerve

To feel it whistle through the air and plunge and buck and swerve.

It's safe at rest in Dead Man's Creek, we'll leave it lying still;

A horse's back is good enough henceforth for Mulga Bill."

Image source Bike Ability UK

The Wobbly Bike by Darren McCallum illustrated by Craig Smith

The trials of learning to ride a bike linger with me decades after my mum and dad gave me a brand new bike and then my dad spent so many evenings running alongside me, holding on of course, while I practiced on the empty road below our house. The other neighborhood kids all had secondhand bikes and even now some of them remember that mine was brand new. To me it felt that they all learned to ride by just jumping on their bike and setting off with no wobbles but for me it took months of patience by my dad. 

Like the little girl in this story I started with a tricycle and then moved up to a bigger bike and yes it did wobble and yes it did feel out of control but remember mine was new. The bike in this story is an old one from Grandad's shed. It needs cleaning and some repairs but really that wobble is not actually the fault of the bike - it is all just part of learning and persevering. 

Bookseller blurb: How do you fix a wobbly bike? Could it be the tyres, the terrain, or maybe it might be a new rider? A joyful, multi-layered story, celebrating the unique culture of Australia's urban "top end", the precious roles of grandparents in families, the fact that kindness and encouragement, combined with practice, are the key to success, bound together with gentle humour. because laughter is always the best medicine.

Notice all the quintessentially Australian inclusions in the illustrations - hills hoist; old roller lawn mower; the back shed and the house itself which looks like a "Queenslander". I also love the natural feel of the inclusion in this book - there are indigenous kids and a child in a wheelchair - all just kids in this neighborhood which I have discovered is in Darwin. 

Here are some brief teachers notes from Lamont. 

Darren is a tradesman and the author of The Wobbly Bike, he resides in Darwin with his wife and two daughters. The Wobbly bike was inspired by his daughter Summer who referred to her bike (after the training wheels were removed) as her wobbly bike. The book is a shout out to all children, especially the ones who struggle to never give up and keep trying your personal best and is also a nod to the precious roles of Grandparents.

Craig Smith  is one of Australia's most prolific, popular and award-winning illustrators of children's books. His witty and humorous artwork combines a wonderful sense of the absurd with a fine attention to detail. Craig has illustrated book covers, fiction series (including Too Cool written by Phil Kettle), and picture books Where's Mum? (Honour Book in the 1993 CBC Picture Book of the Year Awards), Billy the Punk (shortlisted in the 1996 CBC Picture Book of the Year Awards), and Bob the Builder and the Elves. Craig's previous Penguin titles include Paul Jennings' The Cabbage Patch series, Rachel Flynn's I Hate Fridays series, Gillian Rubinstein's The Pirates' Ship and The Fairy's Wings, Doug MacLeod's Sister Madge's Book of Nuns and numerous Aussie Bites and Nibbles. (Source Storybox Library) 

He also illustrated My Dog's a Scaredy Cat and one of his earliest books was Black Dog by Christobel Mattingley (later renamed First Friend). I read Bob the Builder and the Elves to hundreds of children in my former school library. Here is his web page and you can see him working here. 

You also need to linger over the end papers - morning on the opening pages and night at the back. And unlike so many other books I have read (mostly by celebrities) recently the rhyme used for the story in this book is perfect. 

This is such a joyous book with its humour, rhyme and illustrations making something very special from something very ordinary, evoking memories, connecting kids and generations, and reminding us that things that are worthwhile are worth striving for. The Bottom Shelf

This book is sure to be a CBCA Notable title for 2025 and it might even make the short list for Early Childhood. 

I love the work of Craig Smith and I think it is easy to connect this newest book with one of his masterpieces - Dreadful David.

B is for Baby by Atinuke illustrated by Angela Brooksbank

A big brother is taking a basket of bananas to his Baba (grandfather), but he does not realise the baby has stowed away and is now riding on the back of his bike - no wonder the banana basket is so heavy. The baby peeks out from under the basket lid and sees a butterfly and a beautiful bird. A mischievous baboon takes her basket lid and as they ride past a heavily laden bus the baby passes a banana to one of the passengers. Meanwhile the boy, wearing headphones, has no idea that all of this is happening behind his back. 

When he arrives, Baba reaches into the basket for a banana, and he finds the happy baby with her big smile. Everyone sits down to enjoy a fresh biscuit and a cool drink. The baby has certainly had a terrific adventure. I do enjoy stories which feature tricksters like this sweet baby. Oh, and it is fun to see all the ways this simple story incorporates so many words beginning with the letter B and so much action happens in the illustrations. Your young reading companion is sure to enjoy this visual storytelling. 

This is a clever and unusual book, with beautiful illustrations and a fun story that little children will delight in following. Atinuke’s books are always a feast for senses, showcasing the beauty of the author’s home. Book Trust

Companion book:

Atinuke was born in Nigeria and spent her childhood in both Africa and the UK. As a traditional oral storyteller, drawing upon her recent Yoruba ancestry, she visits schools and theatres all over the world. Atinuke is the author of the bestselling Anna Hibiscus fiction series, as well as the No. 1 Car Spotter series, and the picture books Baby Goes to Market also illustrated by Angela Brooksbank and Hugo illustrated by Birgitta Sif.

Angela Brooksbank worked as a designer and art director in the children's book industry before undertaking an MA at the Cambridge School of Art and turning her hand to her own illustration. Angela says, "I am constantly inspired by children’s energy and unique response to life and hope that my work conveys some of their playful spirit." Baby Goes to Market, written by Atinuke, was her debut picture book.

You might also like to look for:

This week I visited a charity book sale and I found 57 fantastic books for less than AUS$110. Among them was this one - in mint condition - ready to gift to a new baby (she is coming next month). This book was published in 2019 and I found a copy on an online bookseller site for over AUS$40 for the hardcover edition. I think the paperback edition might be available [9781406390872]. 

Marvellous Margot by Lou Peacock illustrated by Ingela P Arrhenius

Margot has made a marvellous cake. She has a plan to share it with her good friend Oscar. Margot knows Oscar loves cake! Margot puts the cake (you can see it on the cover of the book - doesn't it look delicious) in her small red cart and she sets off across the city. 

She has not gone far when she bumps into her friend Leonard. Leonard is sad because he thinks his new haircut looks horrible. Margot assures him it is fine. Then she offers Leonard a slice of cake to cheer him up. 

Off she goes again and just over the bridge she sees Sasha and Sami. Their bicycle has lost its chain. Margot is quite handy with tools so she offers to fix the bike and, yes you have guessed it, she offers them a slice of cake - well two slices - one each. 

The journey continues. Milly, Molly and May are so disappointed. The ice cream man has no ice cream left. That's okay - Margot can give them each a delicious slice of her cake. Her kindness restores peace all round. 

Turn the page and take a close look at the little red cart. Oh no it is empty! This is not surprising but Margot is about to arrive at Oscar's house and now she has no cake to share. As an adult reader you might anticipate the happy ending but I am certain it will be a delightful surprise for your young reading companion.

Very young children will love exploring the illustrations in this book and the pattern of friends and cake slices mean this book will be one to read over and over again but of course you will want to bake a cake before you begin - ready to share slices with your young reading companion. 

You can probably guess why I needed to buy this book! Yes you are right it is about cake! Huge thanks to Nosy Crow for publishing this book (it's about me too). 

Blurb Nosy Crow:  Have you met Margot? She is cheerful, helpful and kind – the very best kind of friend! It’s a marvellous day in the big city. The sky is blue, the sun is shining, and Margot has made a delicious cake for her best friend, Oscar! Margot takes her little red wagon and off she goes with cake in tow. But by the time she reaches Oscar’s house after having helped all her friends along the way, will there be ANY cake left to share? A story about empathy which shows that kindness and cake is always the best recipe for friendship.

Companion reads:

The Case of the Missing Cake

Sometimes Cake

A Friend like Ed (one of my most favourite books)

The Biscuit Maker

A House for Christmas Mouse

I'm (almost) Always Kind

A perfect Pig

I found a Pinterest collection of books and art by Ingela P Arrhenius. Here are some board books illustrated by Swedish illustrator Ingela P Arrhenius:

Read more about this book - Boardscape Board Books

Here are some other books by Lou Peacock:

Nuts by Lou Peacock

The Adventures of a Girl called Bicycle by Christina Uss

 

This book has so many ingredients that I enjoy in a good Middle Grade book:

• It's a page turner - there is just the right amount of tension
• Our hero is a young orphan of unknown heritage on a mission
• She must rely on her own determination, good sense and luck
• There is a map and a journey in this case right across the whole of the USA
• The journey contains hazards but as a reader you are sure the main character will make it!
• The food eaten on the journey, at times, is delicious and mentioned often enough that I was not worried that Bicycle would be hungry. She also has a comfortable tent to sleep in.
• Friendship is at the heart of this book
• There are wonderful inventions that are mentioned and the bicycles in this book are characters too and one has a collection of utterly perfect gadgets that I guarantee will amaze you

A little girl turns up at the monastery. She is wearing a t-shirt with the word bicycle. Now you know how she got her name.

The monastery is a very different place. The monks who live there are mostly silent. Actually that should say Mostly Silent. There is, however, one person who lives there who is allowed to talk - Sister Wanda Magdalena. She is a retired nun who works at the monastery doing all the "things that require a lot more talking than silence, like answering phones, making sure deliveries got where they were supposed to go, scheduling washing machines repairmen."  Sister Wanda previously belonged to the order of Nearly-Silent-Nuns but now that this little girl has turned up she will need to take care of her.

"If you don't live near a Mostly Silent Monastery, you may wonder what they are. The Mostly Silent Monasteries are part of an old an venerated order, founded centuries ago by a monk named Bob. One day, Bob observed that the human body is made with two ears but only one mouth. He felt this meant that we humans are supposed to listen more than we speak, so he vowed to be Mostly Silent and dedicated his life to listening to others."

Young Bicycle grows up in the monastery and she learns to be a good listener but Sister Wanda worries that Bicycle has no friends her own age so she organises to send the young girl to the Friendship Factory. Bicycle does not want to do this. She just wants to enjoy riding her own bike called Clunk. She also loves to read magazines about bicycles and watch movies about bicycle races. Watching these she discovers a famous bike rider named Zbigniew Sienkiewica or Zbig. He is from Poland but the exciting news is that he is coming to America. He will be at the blessing of the bicycles in San Fransisco on 8th July. Bicycle lives in Washington DC.  It is now late April. Bicycle has her bike, $154.20 in cash, her bike Clunk and a map of her route right across the country. Will she make it in time to meet her hero? What will Sister Wanda do? 

How did I come to buy this book?  A large chain store was having a book sale. I am always determined to find a book at these sales. I know books that mention the Texas Blue Bonnet award are usually splendid. Kirkus gave this book a star. AND most importantly I really like the cover. It is designed by Jonathan Bean.

There are a wealth of additional resources to use with this book (you could consider it as a class read aloud) here on the Texas Blue Bonnet page. Here is a list of  bicycle books curated by Christina Uss. This is her debut novel,

I won't explain this but here are the eight sacred words the silent monks can use:

yes, no, maybe, help, now, later, sleep (and) sandwich.

Publisher Blurb: Introverted Bicycle has lived most of her life at the Mostly Silent Monastery in Washington, D.C. When her guardian, Sister Wanda, announces that Bicycle is going to attend a camp where she will learn to make friends, Bicycle says no way and sets off on her bike for San Francisco to meet her idol, a famous cyclist, certain he will be her first true friend. Who knew that a ghost would haunt her handlebars and that she would have to contend with bike-hating dogs, a bike-loving horse, bike-crushing pigs, and a mysterious lady dressed in black. Over the uphills and downhills of her journey, Bicycle discovers that friends are not such a bad thing to have after all, and that a dozen cookies really can solve most problems.

Readers will eagerly join Bicycle and “pedal headfirst” into this terrific adventure, which is chock-full of heart and humor. Kirkus Star

The better news is that the book is also a hoot and a half. Filled to brimming with a good smattering of healthy quirk, it’s a quixotic quest book, a paean to the American landscape, and there are pigs. What else could you want? ... I can’t wait to read this one to my daughter when she’s just a little bit older. Elizabeth Bird School Library Journal

About the Texas Blue Bonnet Award:

The Texas Bluebonnet Award (TBA) reading program was established in 1979 to encourage Texas children to read more books, explore a variety of current books, develop powers of discrimination, and identify their favourite books. How does a book become a Bluebonnet book?...  In January, students vote for their favourite title. The author of the book receiving the most votes wins the Texas Bluebonnet Award (TBA) which is presented at the Texas Bluebonnet Award presentation held in the spring. You can see previous master list titles here. And here is the 2022-23 Master List. 

One more thing - you might like to investigate these Polish words. The first part here is what Bicycle intended to say:

Cześć, jak się masz
Mam na imię rower i przebyłem długą drogę, aby cię poznać

But what she says is: 

Chcesz włożyć zebrę do nosa?

In a Cloud of Dust by Alma Fullerton illustrated by Brian Deines

 

This book made me cry. Yes it is a simple story but the beautiful act of kindness you will find here is so very moving and a moment to share and treasure with your reading companion or class.

Anna goes to school in Tanzania. It is a long walk each day and she always arrives home after dark. One day, while she is working through her lunch break, a truck pulls up outside her school. It has come from 'The Bicycle Library'.  Every child is given a bike. Every child except Anna. Stop reading. Now is a good moment to talk with your students.  How should Anna react? Is this fair? What would you do if you were Anna? Can you understand why having access to a bicycle might be so important to Anna - perhaps even life changing?

Now turn the page:

"Anna is disappointed but she's excited to help her friends."

We now watch Anna helping her friend Leyla learn to balance, encouraging Samwel as he navigates obstacles, and taking the hand of Prisca when she falls. On the way home Anna runs beside Farida, Samwel, Leyla and Irene. Then Mohammad gives her a ride on the back of his bike. When they reach his house Anna climbs off ready to walk the last part of her journey home alone BUT ...

"When they get off the bike, Mohammed hands it to Anna. 'You have further to go."

Publisher blurb (Pajama Press): In a Tanzanian village school, Anna struggles to keep up. Her walk home takes so long that when she arrives, it is too dark to do her homework. Working through the lunch hour instead, she doesn’t see the truck from the bicycle library pull into the schoolyard. By the time she gets out there, the bikes are all gone. Anna hides her disappointment, happy to help her friends learn to balance and steer. She doesn’t know a compassionate friend will offer her a clever solution—and the chance to raise her own cloud of dust.

Brian Deines is a Canadian illustrator from Alberta.  I was pleased to discover he lives in Red Deer which is a town near Sundre where I once worked. Alma Fullerton lives in Ontario.

Here are some websites to explore:

• Bicycles for Humanity
• Bikes for the World
• The Village Bicycle project
• World Bicycle relief

I would read In a cloud of Dust along side these titles:

My rows and piles of coins

The Patchwork Bike

Where are you going Manyoni?

Zoe, Max and the Bicycle Bus by Steven Herrick

Dear Steven Herrick,

You have done it again!  YES you made me cry. Such a splendid verse novel. I adore them. Oh and I did laugh too, especially when Peter Williams (the firefighter) visited that pesky Year 5 class but the best moment of all, for me, was when Max gets that huge hug from his dad.

Best wishes,

Momo

P.S. I want to meet Ms Dillon and give her a hug for being such a terrific teacher. I especially loved the way she 'handled' Max and his crazy outbursts. I also loved the lollipop man, Mr Bertoldi, and the way you give us just enough information so we can know a little of his back story. Those lollipop ladies and gentlemen are such unsung heroes of our local schools. Also, thank you for the cakes made by Shane, Jordi's almost dad. All in all thanks for a simply GREAT book.

Read these review for more plot details:

Megan Daley YouTube review  "A brilliant verse novel"

School Days Magazine

Steven Herrick talks about his passion for bikes and riding in this Guardian article from September, 2020.

"On the way to school

this morning

I see a man in overalls,

a wide-brimmed hat and boots

lifting a bicycle

onto hooks attached to a fence

on Rosebud Avenue.

The bike is very old

and every part of it is painted white - 

even the seat ...

A woman stands behind him.

She holds a bunch of flowers

which she ties to the handlebars

with a white ribbon,

and when she steps back

the man and woman hug"

"Ms Dillon stands and walks

to the window

and takes a deep breath

before telling the class that ghost bicycles

are place near the scene

of an accident

where a cyclist has died

to honour that person

and to remind everyone

to drive more carefully."

Teachers who read Zoe, Max and the Bicycle Bus why not try roll call using Ms Dillon and class 5D's checking system - I loved it!

Here are some other verse novels and novels by Steven Herrick:

Pookie Aleera is not my Boyfriend

The Spangled Drongo

Bleak boy and Hunter stand out in the rain

From Stella Street to Amsterdam and everything that happened by Elizabeth Honey

From Stella Street to Amsterdam is the fifth book in the series which began with 45 and 47 Stella Street and everything that happened. The original instllment was first published in 1995 and was awarded a CBCA honour in 1996. Twenty-five years later we can meet up with Henni once again but luckily she is not 25 years older. The newest instalment is due for publication in September.

Henni's Stella Street neighbour, Willa, is desperate to return to her home land - The Netherlands - specifically to Amsterdam. Willa's sister is unwell and there is a family wedding to attend but these are not the real reasons. Willa left Amsterdam just after WWII but she is haunted by events during the Nazi occupation. Willa has fragments of memory. She is driven by the need to complete a task set by her mother (Moeder). All she knows is she has to protect something called The Blue dog.  It is not a dog, it is not a place, it is some sort of object. This mystery also has a connection to a horrifying event. 

Willa's full name is Wilhelmina Roos Petronella van Veen. Her family call her Roos. During the war Willa's van Veen family were friends with a Jewish couple - Sara and Matius. As things become dangerous in the German occupied city, Moeder organises for her friends to come and hide. After many months of keeping the young Jewish couple safe Willa accidentally opens the front door and Sara is seen by a cousin of the family. The events echo the story of Anne Frank. What follows is betrayal, capture and ultimately the deaths of Sara and Matius.

These are the events of the past but Henni also has to negotiate her visit to modern day Amsterdam. She has to meet all the members of Willa's family. She has to master some of the language, learn how to navigate bike riding through the busy city and she has to make connections between all the people she meets. Henni discovers there are life changing secrets today with links to the events of the past.

In anther story thread Henni gives us the background to her trip, we can read her emails to family and friends back in Stella Street in Australia, and Henni, an aspiring writer, also shares her poetry writing.

This book has 432 pages and many story threads. It is a book that will be enjoyed by readers aged 11+ who have plenty of time and reading stamina. There are some harrowing references to the holocaust and (as they say on television) occasional strong language. This is an engrossing story. Yes it is a long book but I read from page 130 on wards in one sitting. I recommend From Stella Street to Amsterdam. It is well worth taking this journey of discovery with Henni Octon. 

Here is the original cover for 45 and 47 Stella Street and the newer one:

Here is the cover of the Dutch edition of 45 & 47 Stella Street:

Here are the other three books in the series:

Or you can read the first three Stella Street stories in this bind-up edition which has 672 pages!

I mentioned 45 & 47 Stella Street received a CBCA Honour. In 1996 the CBCA winner was Swashbuckler by James Moloney and The Big Bazoohley by Peter Carey was an honour book. I have shared some other books by Elizabeth Honey on this blog - Not a Nibble and Princess Beatrice and the Rotten Robber.

If you would like to read more about art that was hidden away during WWII I highly recommend this book - here are two different covers for Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce.