Francesca and the Magic Bike

Martha Lamon is a freelance writer and researcher based in Huntsville,
Ontario.

This engaging work—a first novel by Cynthia Nugent, illustrator of Mr.
Got to Go and other children’s books— tells the story of 10-year-old
Frankie’s journey toward finding responsible adults to love and care
for her. Following the death of her mother, Frankie comes to live with
her alcoholic father, Ron Rudderless. She befriends Augusta, the elderly
woman next door, who sends Frankie and her dog Dan on a magical
adventure that ultimately leads to emotional healing and an enhanced
sense of connectedness for many of the book’s main characters.

This heartwarming story focuses on the difficulties encountered at all
life stages in intimate relationships and of finding one’s place in
the world and one’s family. Neglected Frankie’s determined
hopefulness prevails in an environment of jealousy, resentment,
inadequacy, and inertia, and helps her father and the elderly Augusta
find inner peace as well as make peace with significant people in their
lives. The inclusion of magical inventions and the concepts of learning
to trust one’s instincts as well as the natural order of the universe
will appeal to young readers. Highly recommended.