Born to Ride

Written by Larissa Theule · Illustrated by Kelsey Garrity-Riley

A girl defies conventions to uncover the truth about 'bicycle face' in 1896.

4.1 Goodreads · 286 ratings

32 pages· 442 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud· AD550L

$17.99Save 6%

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Bookroo's summary

In 1896 Rochester, young Louise Belinda Bellflower is determined to challenge societal norms and her brother's dire warnings about 'bicycle face.' As she embarks on her quest to ride a bicycle, she discovers more than just balance—she finds a path to freedom and empowerment. Set against the backdrop of the women's suffrage movement, Louise's journey is a spirited tale of courage and the universal joy of cycling. Will she prove that girls can do anything boys can, or will she be stuck with a scrunched-up face forever? Join Louise in her daring adventure to find out.

From the publisher

Louise Belinda Bellflower lives in Rochester, New York, in 1896. She spends her days playing with her brother, Joe. But Joe gets to ride a bicycle, and Louise Belinda doesn’t. In fact, Joe issues a solemn warning: If girls ride bikes, their faces will get so scrunched up, eyes bulging from the effort of balancing, that they’ll get stuck that way FOREVER! Louise Belinda is appalled by this nonsense, so she strikes out to discover the truth about this so-called “bicycle face.” Set against the backdrop of the women’s suffrage movement, Born to Ride is the story of one girl’s courageous quest to prove that she can do everything the boys can do, while capturing the universal freedom and accomplishment children experience when riding a bike.

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