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Tuesday, July 15, 2025
"The Time Bike" by Jane Langton
On many occasions in this blog, I have said that I sometimes like to read childrens' literature, especially that which has been recognized as being worthy of public recognition such as winning or being nominated for major awards. This book did not win any major awards in the field of adolescent literature so far as I know. But the author, Jane Langton, was previously nominated for a Newberry Award for her book, "The Fledgling", so I decided to take a chance on reading "The Time Bike". Since it borders on being science fiction which I have read for years and even written on this blog about a few science fiction books, I also found this book interesting. It is about a blended family but gives on explanation about why the two children, Eddy and Eleanor, are living in the home of their Aunt Alex and Uncle Freddy who run some loosely described school for adults out of their home. Uncle Freddy wins a seat as a town supervisor early in the book which increases the local banker and now defeated town supervisor's animosity toward Uncle Freddy and the entire family. Early in the book, Eddy receives a new, fancy bicycle as a birthday gift, leaves it on the porch at night, and has it stolen. But shortly thereafter, another member of the extended family sends Eddy an old fashioned looking, used bicycle which he really doesn't apprectiate until he accidentally discovers that it is a time machine. In the meantime, the banker has set out to steal the family home which is a very unique, perhaps unusual house with odd features such as a bust of Henry David Thoreau in the hall. Thoreau is also an icon in the eyes of the entire family. Eddy discovers that his second bicycle is a time machine and has both adventures and misadventures learning how it works and how to keep himself out of trouble during the times he is using it. The author died at 95 in 2018 after having an extensive career as an author of both children's literature and mysteries. She obviously had a great creative imagination. This book was published in 2000 when she would have been about 77, an age when most of us have already abandoned science fiction even when writing for young people.
The book progresses along two paralell lines of conflict, the one being Freddy's foibles with the Time Bike, and the other being Uncle Freddy's desperate attempt to find the deed to the house in time to prevent the banker from seizing it revenge for his lost election. But, in a mild twist, Eleanor uses the bike and, on her time trip, accidentally returns with the missing deed and saves the day. For many adolescents, this will be an interesting read and will also provide a much needed diversion for adults like me who are looking for a bit of light reading as a break from too much back to back heavy reading. It's worth giving to the avid childhood readers in your life.
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