Bartali's Bicycle: The True Story of Gino Bartali, Italy's Secret Hero

This 2021 National Jewish Book Award finalist by author Megan Hoyt and illustrator Iacopo Bruno brings 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.

Winner of Rhode Island Children's Book Award (United States). Winner of National Jewish Book Award (United States). Winner of CYBILS Awards (United States). Winner of Bank Street Children's Best Books of the Year (United States).

“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 and mod­est man. High­ly rec­om­mend­ed." — Jewish Book Council

Megan Hoyt first fell in love with reading on a cozy branch of the crab apple tree outside her Texas home. This is Megan's second picture book biography; the first is Bartali's Bicycle, which received strong reviews, including a star in SLJ. When she is not writing, Megan tutors child actors on set for Disney, Warner Bros., and Showtime, among others. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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