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Description
Nick just wants to replace the TV his sister accidentally broke before their foster parents find out.
To repay the debt, the sixteen-year-old has to steal bikes, break them down and rebuild them to sell. But the debt and the violence keep growing. Even Nick’s own beloved fixed-gear bike—the fixie he built with his dad—is up for grabs. Should Nick recruit younger “runts” to do his dirty work? Should he find a way to give back the bike of the cute girl at the diner now that he sort of likes her? And how can Nick protect his little sister from the creepy guy with the shades?
This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!
Contributor Notes
Rita Feutl has always loved bikes. At the age of seven, she wrecked an Easter dress by greasing her bicycle before church. When she was fifteen, Rita bought a white Peugeot, which she owned for decades. It died in a garage fire. Now she speeds along backcountry byways on a Giant road bike. When she’s not cycling all over Canada and Europe, Rita lives with her family in Edmonton, Alberta, where four of their bikes have been stolen (one of them twice!). Bike Thief is Rita’s third book.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 12 to 18
- Grade:
- 8 to 12
- Reading age:
- 12 to 18
Awards
- Commended, Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Quick Picks
- Commended, YALSA Quick Picks selection
- Commended, CCBC Best Books
- Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
Editorial Reviews
"With a slim size that’s perfect for struggling and reluctant readers, this is a suspenseful tale with a surprising twist and satisfying conclusion."
— Booklist
"A highly engaging read [that] takes readers on a fast-paced journey through the criminal underworld of bike thieves. The plot, itself, is very believable as it shows the realities of human error and how one mistake has the potential to snowball into catastrophe...Feutl has created characters with which the reader can sympathize."
— CM: Canadian Review of Materials
"Will serve not only the hi-lo crowd but any YA reader looking for a lightning-paced super-quick pick."
— The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"A realistic story that shows how easy it is for teenagers to fall into difficult situations."
— Resource Links
