Queasy Rider (James Roy, Walker Books, $12.95 pb, ISBN 9781921150579, May) ***

In the weeds by the side of the railway tracks Nobby and Thicky find an old bike. Although both of them already have bikes Thicky seems to think the wreck has potential. He has no idea what they can make out of it but makes it wound convincing enough to get Nobby to drag it back to his house. Shirley crosses their path on the way home. She can see an even greater potential in the bike, the chance of making some money. Together they set up a ‘thrill’ ride with the dodgy bike as the main attraction. Will they make money? Will their Queasy Rider make them loose it all? Queasy Rider is a simple read for those lacking confidence. The chapters are short and the language isn’t too complex. The conepts that the story deals with are straightforward and although lacking in complexity the pacing is enough to keep the reader’s attention all the way to the climax. Everything is set in the real world so there is nothing to frighten those who are afraid of a bit of fantasy. The book is a great teaser to lead on to more complex reading.

Chris McDonough is the store buyer for Dymocks Brisbane

This review from Australian Bookseller & Publisher magazine is reproduced by kind permission of Thorpe-Bowker, a division of R R Bowker LLC. © Copyright 2008, Thorpe-Bowker

Tags: james roy