About BC Books Online
BC Books Online was created for anyone interested in BC-published books, and with librarians especially in mind. We'd like to make it easy for library staff to learn about books from BC publishers - both new releases and backlist titles - so you can inform your patrons and keep your collections up to date.
Our site features print books and ebooks - both new releases and backlist titles - all of which are available to order through regular trade channels. Browse our subject categories to find books of interest or create and export lists by category to cross-reference with your library's current collection.
A quick tip: When reviewing the "Browse by Category" listings, please note that these are based on standardized BISAC Subject Codes supplied by the books' publishers. You will find additional selections, grouped by theme or region, in our "BC Reading Lists."
Description
The summer is off to a lousy start when Levi's bike is stolen from outside the corner store. He feels even worse because he didn't lock it. But when his best friend Riley's locked bike is stolen the very next day, the boys are determined to get both of them back. When they discover there has been a string of bicycle thefts in the area, the friends hatch several plans to find the culprit. There are so many potential suspects—Steve Morrow and his gang, the tattooed guy who sits at the bus stop, the owners of the secondhand-bike store. There's also Emily Grimshaw, Levi's childhood nemesis, who keeps popping up and showing a peculiar interest in the thefts. Does she really want to help or is she involved somehow? And will Levi and Riley ever see their beloved bikes again?
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 9 to 12
- Grade:
- 4 to 7
- Reading age:
- 9 to 12
Awards
- Short-listed, Rocky Mountain Book Award (RMBA)
- , Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Awards - Diamond Willow
- , Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award
- Short-listed, The Writers’ Guild of Alberta (WGA) R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature
- Short-listed, Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award
- , Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express Award
- Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
Editorial Reviews
"Hutchins has written a gripping mystery for children with twists and clues enough to keep readers engaged until the surprise resolution. She is a master at chapter-ending cliff-hangers. There could not be a more relatable subject matter for a pre-teen mystery than a bike thief, and Hutchins delivers a cast of characters complete with believable dialogue, actions, and reactions...Hutchins’ gives children the benefit of the doubt by not shying away from the issues of animal abuse and different/difficult family life, while also not being overwhelmingly didactic. Humour is also sprinkled throughout the text, creating a beautiful harmony...A novel that will pull young readers in with no difficulty at all while setting up some very interesting discussions for post-reading. Highly Recommended."
— CM Magazine
"The plot twists and turns will have readers guessing until the end."
— School Librarian's Workshop
"Filled with red herrings and detective work, this page-turner mystery provides readers with a cliffhanger at the end of each chapter. The author uses the theme of stolen bikes to pose questions about morality, inviting students to form their own thoughts on what is right and wrong. That makes this a good read for a book club or a read-aloud for discussion in the classroom."
— Library Media Connection
"A fun and entertaining story that is conversational in style, and moves at a fast pace...An enjoyable and quick read that has numerous discussion points."
— Resource Links
