The Bicycle Spy

Marcel loves riding his bicycle, whether he’s racing through the streets of his small town in France or making bread deliveries for his parents’ bakery. He dreams of someday competing in the Tour de France, the greatest bicycle race. But ever since Germany’s occupation of France began two years ago, in 1940, the race has been canceled. Now there are soldiers everywhere, interrupting Marcel’s rides with checkpoints and questioning.  

Then Marcel learns two big secrets, and he realizes there are worse things about the war than a canceled race. When he later discovers that his friend’s entire family is in imminent danger, Marcel knows he can help — but it will involve taking a risky bicycle ride to pass along covert information. And when nothing ends up going according to plan, it’s up to him to keep pedaling and think quickly. . . because his friend, her family, and his own future hang in the balance. 

Told from Marcel’s point of view, The Bicycle Spy shows the effect of World War II by focusing on Marcel’s parents and classmates. Marcel’s love of the Tour de France gives the story a unique perspective and allows him to become friends with Delphine, who shares his passion for the event. Marcel and Delphine also connect because they both have a secret: Delphine is Jewish, and Marcel’s parents are part of the French Resistance. When Delphine’s true identity is revealed, Marcel and his family show bravery and don’t hesitate to help Delphine’s family escape France.  

Marcel is an extremely likable protagonist who worries about everyday things, such as completing his homework, winning a bike race against his friends, and avoiding trouble at school. When he discovers that his parents are helping the French Resistance, Marcel is determined to help the cause. However, he often feels pangs of guilt when he has to lie, even though he realizes that dishonesty is the only way to keep people safe from the Germans. Even though Marcel fears the German soldiers, he doesn’t let this stop him from delivering messages for the Resistance.  

When Delphine’s family is in danger, Marcel is trusted to deliver a message that will help them escape. Even though this means riding his bike a long distance in freezing weather, Marcel is determined to save his friend. “The ride to Porte-Vendres was punishing. He was exhausted, and very, very cold. But then he thought of the riders in the Tour de France. Surely they got tired, hungry, and cold, too.” Marcel gains the strength to continue by thinking about the men who have competed in the Tour de France, as well as the danger that Delphine’s family faces. Marcel’s journey is full of danger and suspense, which makes the book difficult to put down. 

The Bicycle Spy shows how ordinary people helped the Jews escape Hitler’s clutches. Since the story is told from Marcel’s point of view, readers gain insight from a child’s perspective. This allows readers to understand Marcel’s fears and concerns without having graphic descriptions of violence. Reading The Bicycle Spy will encourage children to do the right thing, whether it’s standing up to a bully, helping a friend, or supporting their family.  

Sexual Content  

• None 

Violence  

• The German soldiers appear in Marcel’s classroom. “Two officers had come into the room, their shiny black boots heavy on the floorboards, their armbands with the thick black swastikas threatening. Even more threatening were the enormous black guns they carried so casually looped over their shoulders.” An officer talks to the teacher, who shows him the list of students in the class. Then the men leave. 
• When Marcel encounters German soldiers, he wonders, “What would they do if they knew about his parents being in the Resistance? Drag them from the bakery? Force them to answer questions? Shoot them?” 
• One of Marcel’s classmates, Thierry, dumped the contents of Delphine’s satchel. When she went to pick up her pen, “Thierry’s big foot got there first. There was an ugly crunch as he ground it under his heel.” Thierry saw a picture of Delphine and her brother and said, “You’re a Jew. . .  A dirty, stinking Jew!” Delphine is so upset that she leaves school and never comes back. 
• Thierry accuses Marcel of helping “‘a Jew hide. Or maybe even escape and you know what that means.’ He made his hand into the shape of a pistol and pointed it to [Marcel’s] head.” 

Drugs and Alcohol  

• Marcel saw a German soldier who “pulled out a cigarette and lit it.” 
• When Marcel goes into town, he sees a man at a café smoking a cigarette. 

Language  

• Some of the kids call each other names, such as shrimp, loser, jerk, idiot, dope, and liar. 
• Marcel is riding a bike when a cat runs in front of him. Marcel exclaims, “zut alors,” which means “damn then.”  
• When Delphine moves to town, one of her classmates asks, “Is your family rich or something? Like all those Jews who are wrecking the country?” Marcel didn’t understand why the comment upset Delphine. 
• Marcel’s classmate, Thierry, calls Delphine a “dirty Jew” several times. 
• Marcel’s mother refers to the Germans as “devils.” Later, Marcel’s father refers to Hitler as the devil. 
• When returning home after a “punishing” bike ride, Marcel “races like the devil.” 

Supernatural 

• None

Spiritual Content  

• When Marcel learns that Delphine is Jewish, he thinks, “Everyone he knew was Catholic and went to the church of St. Vincent de Paul on Sundays and saints’ days, or holidays like Easter and Christmas.” 
• Delphine and her parents pretend to be Protestants because her father “thought that would be easier” than pretending to be Catholic. 
• Marcel needs to take a hidden note to someone working for the Resistance. He prays, “no one had spotted him and wondered where he was going and why.” 
• The school closes so the town can celebrate Saint Francois-Xavier. “Everyone would be in church” to honor the saint. 
• After Delphine and her family flee, Marcel’s mom says, “I am praying that they are [safe].” 
• When Marcel’s father doesn’t come home, Marcel goes to search for him. Marcel’s mother says, “Go with God.”