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Spirit Flyer #1
The Magic Bicycle
"Once there was a magic bicycle that found a boy," begins this tale of adventure and suspense. When John Kramer comes across an old, rusty Spirit Flyer bicycle, he finds it far from ordinary. First, the bike helps him save a neighbor's barn from burning. Then it brings him into conflict with the boys in the Cobra Club, a representative of Goliath Toys and other forces that not only want John's bike, but want it destroyed. While John learns about the Magic in the bicycle, every reader will be delighted as they join him for this fantastic ride.
197 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1983
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369 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
May 3, 2009
I read this as a kid - made a huge impression on me. So big, that I finally tried looking it up again. The library didn't carry it. And wow. Still an awesome series. The first book is the hardest for me - glowing red eyes, black snake funnel clouds - scary stuff. But if ever there were a series that did a good job explaining good and bad - the insidious tendrils of evil and the overwhelming unconditional love of God, this is it. Each book in the series is fabulous. My eight year old is not ready for this yet, but I will read it to her when she is ready. I've seen bad reviews - yes, if you are a person who dislikes fantasy, magic and scary stuff, this is not a series for you. But John Bibee did a fabulous job with the Spirit Flyer Series - my kids will definitely go through the whole group with me some day.
August 2, 2015
I read the first four books as a child, and I have pleasant, dream-like memories of them. However, as a work of literature, the books are subpar. It's not the weird Christian allegory I object to; I kind of like it. I say weird because instead of Good and Evil, you have Magic and Tragic. Having spiritual powers in the guise of magical bicycles...that's weird. The demonic figure is pretty standard: smoke, coffee, glowing red eyes.
No, what I object to is the pervasive lack of motivation. Characters are always "getting a feeling," or "something is telling" them to do (or not do) X, Y, or Z. Even when the character 'wants' to do otherwise. I suppose this is to supposed to represent Conscience or the Holy Spirit or somesuch, but it comes across
as lazy writing and ham-fisted authorial hand waving. I found it very frustrating.
No, what I object to is the pervasive lack of motivation. Characters are always "getting a feeling," or "something is telling" them to do (or not do) X, Y, or Z. Even when the character 'wants' to do otherwise. I suppose this is to supposed to represent Conscience or the Holy Spirit or somesuch, but it comes across
as lazy writing and ham-fisted authorial hand waving. I found it very frustrating.
February 21, 2022
I hadn't read this series since elementary. The first one still holds up quite well. Its allegory is obvious, but entertaining. I think there's something very evocative about how John's grandpa describes the Deep World- it hints at something the rest of the series never really expanded on.
The villains are properly creepy when reading as an intermediate elementary student. Four stars is again assuming this is for the target audience. As an adult, the dialogue sometimes doesn't sound right, but I'd be hard pressed to say why. It's a very quick read (I didn't time it, but something like two to three hours), and I was entertained.
One thing I will say- Christians and non-Christians alike will enjoy Narnia- though I have heard that sometimes non-Christians feel like they were cheated when they discover the underlying message is related to Christianity. Even still I maintain that Narnia can be enjoyed by all. I'm not sure the same is true of the Magic Bicycle series- or if they are, I suspect only the first book. The allegory is a lot closer to the surface than even Narnia, and I think the writing/ story is not as strong as Narnia. (This series is a scaled 4 stars for target audience, whereas I would rate Narnia 4 stars, no scaling required.) As a result, if you don't enjoy the allegory, you really wouldn't like the Magic Bicycle series, whereas I think a person could dislike the 'allegory' of Narnia (I would make a case that Narnia isn't exactly allegory either), hold their nose and still enjoy it. I could be wrong, but that's my suspicion.
The villains are properly creepy when reading as an intermediate elementary student. Four stars is again assuming this is for the target audience. As an adult, the dialogue sometimes doesn't sound right, but I'd be hard pressed to say why. It's a very quick read (I didn't time it, but something like two to three hours), and I was entertained.
One thing I will say- Christians and non-Christians alike will enjoy Narnia- though I have heard that sometimes non-Christians feel like they were cheated when they discover the underlying message is related to Christianity. Even still I maintain that Narnia can be enjoyed by all. I'm not sure the same is true of the Magic Bicycle series- or if they are, I suspect only the first book. The allegory is a lot closer to the surface than even Narnia, and I think the writing/ story is not as strong as Narnia. (This series is a scaled 4 stars for target audience, whereas I would rate Narnia 4 stars, no scaling required.) As a result, if you don't enjoy the allegory, you really wouldn't like the Magic Bicycle series, whereas I think a person could dislike the 'allegory' of Narnia (I would make a case that Narnia isn't exactly allegory either), hold their nose and still enjoy it. I could be wrong, but that's my suspicion.
April 25, 2020
People outside of religion will either like or dislike this series. I would like to provoke non Jesus followers to read the whole series.
Why?
Because this series is a giant parable about the redemption of lost souls that fled from God.
These books illustrate, through a well written series of parables, that are (biblically accurate),
the cleansing of the conscience. If you have hurt people (intentionally) and have really sunk your words in deep to people, start the series but focus on book 5, The Last Christmas. You will learn from book 5 that God can forgive even you and can cleanse your conscience.
The Magic Bicycle series literally saved me from a life of alcohol and drugs because I accepted what each book concluded as true and I believe that you to will believe each books lesson.
Book one is simple and yet elegant. Go find a used copy and treasure it.
Why?
Because this series is a giant parable about the redemption of lost souls that fled from God.
These books illustrate, through a well written series of parables, that are (biblically accurate),
the cleansing of the conscience. If you have hurt people (intentionally) and have really sunk your words in deep to people, start the series but focus on book 5, The Last Christmas. You will learn from book 5 that God can forgive even you and can cleanse your conscience.
The Magic Bicycle series literally saved me from a life of alcohol and drugs because I accepted what each book concluded as true and I believe that you to will believe each books lesson.
Book one is simple and yet elegant. Go find a used copy and treasure it.
December 30, 2022
Garbage book. Such a slog to get through.
I only started it because I remember reading the Halloween book, thought that it was dark and weird, and was curious about how the series start.
It's a Christian series, but it's soooooooo heavy-handed. The entire second half of the book is almost unreadable.
An extra star for the creepy illustrations, but really, don't bother.
I only started it because I remember reading the Halloween book, thought that it was dark and weird, and was curious about how the series start.
It's a Christian series, but it's soooooooo heavy-handed. The entire second half of the book is almost unreadable.
An extra star for the creepy illustrations, but really, don't bother.
October 7, 2022
This entire series is special to me. My parents read it aloud to me when I was young. I re-read it multiple times as a teen. And now, my kids are finally old enough for me to read it aloud to them! Just finished book 1 and they are all HOOKED and begging for more. Disclaimer: it is *intense* and not all kids would be able to handle it, depending on age/maturity.
The Spirit Flyer series is a true introduction to darkness and evil that exists. Glowing red eyes, snakes, faces contorting, people in chains, and references to the dead. It is also an introduction to the trinity and the power of God and his angels. Where there is much talk of the darkness…there is also MUCH talk of the saving hope we have in the Light. This series was formative for me and truly brought to life the spiritual battle between good and evil raging around us all the time. It also made real to me the sovereignty of of God. The magic of the three kings is something I won’t ever forget!
If you don’t like magic or darkness and are just looking for a light read…this series is not for you. If you’re up for a heavier but rewarding experience, bringing up spiritual conversations with your kids…give it a try.
(I was so blessed to find the entire series for free years ago to keep on my bookshelves! I’ve been counting down the years until all 4 of my kids were old enough to listen. It’s worth hunting it down as it’s unlikely your library will have it anymore.)
The Spirit Flyer series is a true introduction to darkness and evil that exists. Glowing red eyes, snakes, faces contorting, people in chains, and references to the dead. It is also an introduction to the trinity and the power of God and his angels. Where there is much talk of the darkness…there is also MUCH talk of the saving hope we have in the Light. This series was formative for me and truly brought to life the spiritual battle between good and evil raging around us all the time. It also made real to me the sovereignty of of God. The magic of the three kings is something I won’t ever forget!
If you don’t like magic or darkness and are just looking for a light read…this series is not for you. If you’re up for a heavier but rewarding experience, bringing up spiritual conversations with your kids…give it a try.
(I was so blessed to find the entire series for free years ago to keep on my bookshelves! I’ve been counting down the years until all 4 of my kids were old enough to listen. It’s worth hunting it down as it’s unlikely your library will have it anymore.)
February 25, 2018
I loved this book as a child. And I was pleased to see it mostly held up! This book is very much about spiritual warfare but I think if you weren’t raised in the church you may never know as they never talk about God or Satan with those names. The writing wasn’t quite as good as I remembered but I still loved the story.
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May 4, 2022omg these books had me so fricking fricked up as a kid
June 2, 2020
I read this series when I was a kid and loved it, so I've started it over and I'm reading along with my 10yo son. Well, I say "along with," but he's already deep into the second volume as I finish up #1. It's still good children's literature and I enjoy talking about it with him.
January 29, 2013
I had forgotten how much i loved this book. When I read it the first time as a child, it made an impression on me that very few books have. When it came into the used bookstore i was working at, well... I'd say it was fate, but that wouldn't be giving credit where credit is due. I bought it immediately, which was 2 years ago. It has since decorated one of my many bookshelves. Until tonight. Tonight i reread it in one sitting, because this story still has that power. Awesome.
July 29, 2011
I love this book to death! My father read these books to us over and over when I was a kid!
March 12, 2021
This was a favorite series of myself and my five siblings growing up. My oldest brother got our childhood copies of these books, so I was so happy to see they were back in print. Reading this made me feel a sense of nostalgia for the 80’s and 90’s the way Stranger Things and Adventures and Odyssey does; kids playing on bicycles outside with neighbor kids with a (by today’s standards) shocking lack of supervision. Actually, the author, John Bibee, was part of the team of writers that created some of my favorite episodes of Adventures in Odyssey as well.
A boy, John Kramer, finds an old bike while exploring at the local dump, but it turns out this is no ordinary bike—this bike is magic. There is the local bully and his gang of bullies. There’s the mysterious new-comer bad guy that is intent on ruining Centerville as part of a grander scheme (that is fleshed out in the rest of the series), and he is surrounded by all sorts of creepy things like a car phone that blinks red instead of ringing—a concept that still creeps out my older brother who is in his mid thirties.
The evil magic utilizes imagery of snakes, ashes, chains, and death. Bad guys have glowing eyes and turn out to be wearing human masks instead of being truly human. This is definitely a soft magic system that is full of uncanny, unexpected supernatural elements that aren’t fully explained.
If you come from an evangelical Christian background, you can definitely see the allegorical elements of this story that teaches about spiritual warfare between Good and Evil in an unseen Deeper World. I don’t tend to enjoy allegory, and I’m frequently uncomfortable with this emphasis in theology. However, I felt there was enough legitimate fanciful story elements as to not make it annoyingly on the nose. (There isn’t a God character like The Chronicles of Narnia.) Basically—it would be enjoyable even if you didn’t subscribe to that religious belief system. I really like stories that tap into the idea of there being more to the world than meets the eye, and this is a creative expression of that.
As an adult reading this story, I would say it is underwritten. However, it’s targeted to a middle grade reader. As an adult, I still found it very enjoyable. As a child, it was captivating. My oldest sister who is the age our mom was when we were reading these for the first time was learning to fix up an old bike a few years ago and texted me and said, “I feel like John Kramer with his Spirit Flyer.” This is a great fantasy series for young readers that may stick with them for decades.
A boy, John Kramer, finds an old bike while exploring at the local dump, but it turns out this is no ordinary bike—this bike is magic. There is the local bully and his gang of bullies. There’s the mysterious new-comer bad guy that is intent on ruining Centerville as part of a grander scheme (that is fleshed out in the rest of the series), and he is surrounded by all sorts of creepy things like a car phone that blinks red instead of ringing—a concept that still creeps out my older brother who is in his mid thirties.
The evil magic utilizes imagery of snakes, ashes, chains, and death. Bad guys have glowing eyes and turn out to be wearing human masks instead of being truly human. This is definitely a soft magic system that is full of uncanny, unexpected supernatural elements that aren’t fully explained.
If you come from an evangelical Christian background, you can definitely see the allegorical elements of this story that teaches about spiritual warfare between Good and Evil in an unseen Deeper World. I don’t tend to enjoy allegory, and I’m frequently uncomfortable with this emphasis in theology. However, I felt there was enough legitimate fanciful story elements as to not make it annoyingly on the nose. (There isn’t a God character like The Chronicles of Narnia.) Basically—it would be enjoyable even if you didn’t subscribe to that religious belief system. I really like stories that tap into the idea of there being more to the world than meets the eye, and this is a creative expression of that.
As an adult reading this story, I would say it is underwritten. However, it’s targeted to a middle grade reader. As an adult, I still found it very enjoyable. As a child, it was captivating. My oldest sister who is the age our mom was when we were reading these for the first time was learning to fix up an old bike a few years ago and texted me and said, “I feel like John Kramer with his Spirit Flyer.” This is a great fantasy series for young readers that may stick with them for decades.
March 14, 2024
I re-read it for the first time in decades after re-reading it multiple times in childhood. And the first thing I wanted to do was read it again, this time aloud to my kids.
The Magic Bicycle is spiritual warfare allegory from a Protestant author. When I first read it (from a church library, at the age of seven), I was immersed in Presbyterianism. This book evokes for me some of the best of that world. It is fast-paced, with an unusual but very effective blend of realism (all the details of bike repair, for example) and horror/magical elements. I like the very rhythm of Bibee's sentences; I'd internalized them so deeply over the years that reading aloud felt like passing on an oral tradition. Without extended description, Bibee builds a very distinct atmosphere. The atmosphere, the sense of place, in this story is something I've always loved about it.
One of my best memories, of the whole series, is from when my family was moving to a new state when I was 13. My sister and I were staying over with our best friends while my parents were accomplishing the move. I had a terrible sore throat and I spent the days popping menthol eucalyptus cough drops and reading the Spirit Flyer Series aloud, book after book, while my sister and our friends kept begging for another chapter.
The Magic Bicycle is spiritual warfare allegory from a Protestant author. When I first read it (from a church library, at the age of seven), I was immersed in Presbyterianism. This book evokes for me some of the best of that world. It is fast-paced, with an unusual but very effective blend of realism (all the details of bike repair, for example) and horror/magical elements. I like the very rhythm of Bibee's sentences; I'd internalized them so deeply over the years that reading aloud felt like passing on an oral tradition. Without extended description, Bibee builds a very distinct atmosphere. The atmosphere, the sense of place, in this story is something I've always loved about it.
One of my best memories, of the whole series, is from when my family was moving to a new state when I was 13. My sister and I were staying over with our best friends while my parents were accomplishing the move. I had a terrible sore throat and I spent the days popping menthol eucalyptus cough drops and reading the Spirit Flyer Series aloud, book after book, while my sister and our friends kept begging for another chapter.
July 15, 2024
I realize that I am not the target audience for these children’s books. However, I read this series when I was a child and wanted to re-read them as I had wonderful memories of them. As an adult, you can see all the symbols and allegory which you may have missed as a kid. These books bring the work of the Holy Spirit to life, but in a way that is accessible to children. This first one is a good introduction to the Spirit Flyer world, though it is not my favorite book in the series. It sets the ground work for the fight between good and evil in Centerville.
If you are looking for books that are fun and engaging for your kids, but also include the Holy Spirit and the Kingdom of God, I highly recommend these! They are well written and spiritually sound.
If you are looking for books that are fun and engaging for your kids, but also include the Holy Spirit and the Kingdom of God, I highly recommend these! They are well written and spiritually sound.
June 21, 2024
I read this book as a child, and I've been remembering it a lot. I thought I'd re-read it and see how it was. It's a great book for exposing kids to the lessons of Christianity. The writing is a little plodding, but the story is great. The author did a great job taking something abstract and incomprehensible and making it concrete, magical, approachable and fun. It's not as grand as the Chronicles of Narnia, but I don't know any kid's book that does a better job of translating Christianity into something a child could grasp.
January 15, 2024
We all enjoyed this book, but the allegory gets a little too thick at the end. Bibee puts heavy emphasis in some strange places and glosses over ideas that I wish he would have developed. Lots of talk of spiritual warfare and "chains," but I would have appreciated more focus on the gospel.
We'll probably read some of the other books in the series.
We'll probably read some of the other books in the series.
January 1, 2018
I have re-read this series several times. The story’s are well written and clearly define good from evil. While the town is being taken over by an evil toy store owner a magic bicycle brings light and hope to a young boy and his family by showing the the way to the kingdom of the true King.
May 30, 2022
Didn't finish this one. The characters where alright, so was the story and setting but it was meant for the 7-12 crowd. Very clean(as far as I read). Had I started this book a few years ago I probably would've loved it. Definitely recommend for the Magic treehouse crowd and under.
August 7, 2023
(3.25) this was one of my favorite reads as a kid — though it absolutely terrified me. The faith allegory is really strong, and while interesting, and unashamed of it’s darker tendencies, it can feel a little bit overbearing.
July 3, 2017
I read this when just a teenager and remember being absolutely enraptured by it.
December 17, 2018
Terrific! A great book to read with your kids (I read it with my 9yr old). Wonderful Christian allegory...providing all sorts of teaching opportunities. Also...just a lot of fun!
August 2, 2020
This series is a flashback to childhood and a deeper look at God’s love for us. Absolutely love this series, the lessons within its pages are for all ages.
January 26, 2021
A re-read from when I was a kid. Holds up pretty well. Feels like it was written to be accessible to a younger reader, so I'm debating having my 10 year old son read it - or maybe reading it to him.
August 20, 2021
Even as a kid I knew this book was badly written and poorly conceived. The allegory is painfully evident.
September 16, 2021
Great book and a currently a very relevant dystopian story. I could get into some spoilers about how the ending is what some conspiracy theorists think is happening in current events.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2023
It started out ok, kind of fun. But the end got scary for my kids and it felt like the author changed audiences midstream. Very weird book.
June 6, 2023
For its target audience I give it the 4 stars. I don’t think it’s one that adults would enjoy like other books - The Chronicles of Narnia, for example.
July 23, 2025
An oldie but a goodie from my childhood.
April 16, 2020
This was one of my favorite books as a teenager. It belongs on the same shelf as The Chronicles of Narnia or Watership Down.
The story is set in the small, mid-western town of Centerville in an era where mobility and adventure for a child required a bicycle. John finds an old rusted bike at the town dump after his new ten-speed is ruined in an accident. But the bike turns out to be more than just an old clunker, and it reveals a sinister secret about the town.
The story is set in the small, mid-western town of Centerville in an era where mobility and adventure for a child required a bicycle. John finds an old rusted bike at the town dump after his new ten-speed is ruined in an accident. But the bike turns out to be more than just an old clunker, and it reveals a sinister secret about the town.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews