The Bicycle: How an Act of Kindness Changed a Young Refugee's Life – The True Story of a Family Fleeing Kurdistan

by Patricia McCormick, Yas Imamura (Illustrator), Mevan Babakar

Genres: Picture Books, History, Nonfiction, Biography, Family, Middle East, Bicycles

40 pages, Hardcover

Published May 7, 2024

About the author

Patricia McCormick is a journalist and writer. She graduated from Rosemont College in 1978, followed by an M.S. from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 1986 and an M.F.A. from New School University in 1999. Her first novel for teens was Cut, about a young woman who self-injures herself. This was followed by My Brother's Keeper in 2005, about a boy struggling with his brother's addiction and Sold in 2006. Her awards include the American Library Association Best Book of the Year, New York Public Library Best Book for the Teenage, and the Children's Literature Council's Choice.

She has written for The New York Times, Parents magazine, The New York Times Book Review, Ladies Home Journal, Town & Country, More, Reader's Digest, Mademoiselle, and other publications and has been an adjunct professor of journalism at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and an instructor of creative writing at the New School University. She lives in New York with two children, a husband, and two cats.

Reviews

[Denise Del gianni · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bicycle is about the refugee story of one of the author’s. Mevan is a young Kurdish refugee who moves from country to country while her family waits to be welcomed into a country that will embrace them. Timely. Poignant. This is an excellent book for children to learn about the refugee experience through the eyes of a child, to recognize what is unkind vs. what is uplifting, to see the value in empathy, and to make the connection that humans are all similar in our needs. As a third grade teacher I recommend this book for grades 2-3 and think it will be helpful in teaching about the border conflict in an age-appropriate manner during the 2024 presidential election cycle. The illustrations, Epilogue and Author’s Note with additional educational information takes this book to 5 stars.

[Louise Aamodt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shares one little girl's experience of becoming a refugee when her family is forced from Iraq. In just 32 pages, we feel the joy and security of her beloved Kurdistan change to fear and insecurity as the family struggles to find a new, safe place. Even once they settle down, the girl feels like an outsider--until a random act of kindness helps her assimilate. What I like the best about this book is the author's ability to share her childhood experience without romanticizing or holding back, sharing her emotions in an age-appropriate way for young readers that's perfect for sparking important conversations and awareness of others. Be sure to read the epilogue and author's note in the back!

[SOYAMRG · Rating 4 out of 5]

An act of kindness can have a ripple effect as described in this book about a young refugee and her family.

They are seeking safety in another country and had to flee with very little. As they moved on to other countries young Mevan felt invisible, as she didn't fit in. One day the man who fixed things in the apartment building where she and her family lived gifted her with a bicycle. Now Mevan could ride with other children and feel like she belonged. Ultimately she and her family were able to travel to another country to start new lives, again.

Recommended for purchase by public and school libraries for ages 4 - 7.

M.P.
Retired Library Associate

[Ellee Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Copyright date: 2024
Star rating: 5
Award: N/A
Genre: Nonfiction picture book
Summary w/ themes: This book is about a girl that had to flee and become a refugee because her home country wasn't safe anymore. Along her journey, one of the people that works where she lives gives her a bike, and she is able to feel like a kid again. This book has a theme of kindness and community.
Use for future classroom: This would be a great book to read aloud about immigration
Thoughts of book: This is a beautiful book, from the story to the illustrations. I loved the message it shares with the world.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers meet Mevan and follow her journey from happily living in Kurdistan to fleeing for safety to finding a temporary home in the Netherlands. She tells her tale and talks about how small she feels as others are not kind to refugees. When an older gentleman gives her a bike so she can join the other children and play, the world opens for her and she feels this kindness throughout her life. Don't miss what she shares at the end of the story.
A reminder of how to treat others and welcome those who may not feel they fit in.

[Rita]

2024. Carolyn recommends.

'(Picture-book memoir. 5-9)'
'As Mevan and her parents make an arduous voyage from Kurdistan to Turkey to Azerbaijan to Russia, she feels increasingly small. The art’s muted, earthy palette adeptly captures their alienation while also highlighting the nature (or lack thereof) in their surroundings. After two years in Russia, the family goes to the “green and bright” Netherlands, where a kind handyman named Egbert gives Mevan a bicycle. ' Years later they reconnect.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a true, heartwarming, viral story of a young Kurdish refugee who is forced to leave her home. In Netherlands, while waiting for a place to go, a kind landlord gifts Mevan a bicycle. Years later, after moving to America, Mevan travels back to Kurdistan and Netherlands where she reconnects with the kind man who "made her feel 100 feet tall". This is an uplifting story with a valuable author's note in the back. Great illustrations. This empathy-building picture book is a real treat.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bicycle was such an interesting insight to not only how acts of kindness change lives, but also the impact of the forced removal of Kurds from Kurdistan. Unfortunately, a lot of global history is left out of Western education systems if they are not directly involved. However, it's great the publishers are releasing content that focuses on groups and parts of history that are often left out.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gentle story is based on the one of the author’s childhood experiences of fleeing Kurdistan & how one act of kindness made a huge difference to her. A great way to start to talk to young children about refugees lives, with muted, evocative illustrations

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being an immigrant (legal or otherwise) is often no picnic. It's often portrayed that U.S. borders are overflowing with immigrants eager for the good life in America. Here's a simple children's book that gives a child's viewpoint of the refugee life (and it's often much, much worse).

[Patricia Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think my students would enjoy this book during our celebration of the Essential Eight character trait of kindness. It might also work with tolerance and courage.

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad, but ultimately redemptive story of Kurdish girl and her family's refugee experience.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindness makes a difference

[Brandi Rae Fong]

Touching and age appropriate recount of a refugee's childhood. Good for building some kindness and empathy.