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Bartali's Bicycle: The True Story of Gino Bartali, Italy's Secret Hero
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About Bartali's Bicycle: The True Story Of Gino
Product Description Author Megan Hoyt and illustrator Iacopo Bruno bring to light the inspiring, true story of Gino Bartali, a beloved Italian cyclist and secret champion in the fight for Jewish lives during World War II. Gino Bartali pedaled across Italy for years, winning one cycling race after another, including the 1938 Tour de France. Gino became an international sports hero! But the next year, World War II began, and it changed everything. Soldiers marched into Italy. Tanks rolled down the cobbled streets of Florence. And powerful leaders declared that Jewish people should be arrested. To the entire world, Gino Bartali was merely a champion cyclist. But Gino’s greatest achievement was something he never told a soul—that he secretly worked with the Italian resistance to save hundreds of Jewish men, women, and children, and others, from certain death, using the one thing no authority would question: his bicycle. This compelling nonfiction picture book for elementary-age readers offers a unique perspective on World War II history. It's a strong choice for units on the war and for biographies of lesser-known heroes in history and in sports. From School Library Journal Gr 4–8—Gino Bartali was a resistance hero who used his bike, his reputation as a competitive cyclist, and his fame as a Tour de France winner not only to fool the German troops who occupied Italy but also to help hundreds of families escape during World War II. Jewish Italians were desperate to flee but needed new identities to leave the country. Bartali stuffed the lifesaving papers into the tubes of his bike, then carried on his ostensible business of training for races, all the while dropping off valuable documents, covering more than 250 miles a day over mountains, through villages, and into larger cities. When he was forced to join the militia, he used his role to locate and free prisoners and kept a family hidden in his own basement. All the while, his humility and modesty prevailed: He never discussed his role in this effort, so his heroism wasn't known until well after he died. The author uses clear, descriptive sentences that flow and paint a vivid picture. The art is striking and has an art-deco feel to it, which lends itself to the era. Each illustration shows some part or angle of Bartali's bike, and Bartali himself, dressed in colorful biking clothes, is often in the foreground while Nazis are portrayed in darker tones in the background. Back matter includes a brief time line of Bartali's life, a letter from his granddaughter, an author's note, and a list of sources. VERDICT This would be a great start for any student wanting to know more about how different people helped resist the efforts of the Nazis during World War II.—Maggie Chase, Boise State Univ., ID Review “The author uses clear, descriptive sentences that flow and paint a vivid picture. The art is striking and has an art-deco feel to it, which lends itself to the era…A great start for any student wanting to know more about how different people helped resist the efforts of the Nazis during World War II.” -- School Library Journal (starred review) “A well-made story and a welcome, timely reminder of what true courage is.” -- Kirkus Reviews "Hoyt’s prose is atmospheric and Bruno’s bold, poster-style illustrations prove thoroughly immersive. An engrossing look at a humble man whose efforts benefited many." -- Publishers Weekly "This attractive and engaging account of a famous athlete, recognized as Righteous Among the Nations in 2013, and his quiet heroism is inspirational and adds a unique perspective to Holocaust literature." -- Booklist "Poster-style, digital art follows the compelling story of a sports and real-life hero, also known for his modesty." -- San Francisco Chronicle "This beautiful and informative new picture book biography of Bartali encourages young readers to empathize with his dilemma and to understand the incredible bravery of this quiet an
