Handles (novel) facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Jan Mark |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | David Parkins |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's realist novel |
| Publisher | Kestrel Books |
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Publication date
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26 October 1983 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover; paperback) |
| Pages | 156 pp (first edition) |
| ISBN | 0722658575 |
| OCLC | 11358458 |
| LC Class | PZ7.M33924 Han 1985 |
Handles is a cool and realistic children's novel written by Jan Mark. It was first published in 1983 in London. The book has fun illustrations by David Parkins.
The story takes place in the beautiful countryside of Norfolk, England. It's about a city girl named Erica who is on holiday and absolutely loves motorcycles. One reviewer called it a "happy, optimistic work." Erica gets to escape her "mean-minded relatives" and find adventure. She discovers an awesome motorbike-repair shop in a nearby town.
Jan Mark and Handles won a really important award called the Carnegie Medal. This award is given by the Library Association for the best children's book written by a British subject each year. Jan Mark was only the third writer to win this award twice! She also won in 1976 for her first novel, Thunder and Lightnings. That book was also set in Norfolk and was about two boys who loved airplanes.
In 1985, the book was published in the United States by Atheneum Books. It kept the original illustrations by David Parkins.
What's in a Name? The Meaning of "Handles"
The title Handles has a special meaning in this book. It refers to names or nicknames that people earn. These "handles" can show who someone really is or how they are growing up. It's like finding your true self!
The title also plays on the "handles" you use to steer a motorcycle. This can mean taking control of your own life. So, the title hints at both self-discovery and control.
The Story of Handles
Erica Timperley is a city girl who is super passionate about motorcycles. She's on holiday in Norfolk at her Uncle and Aunt's farm. They grow lots of vegetables, but Erica finds it pretty boring.
Then, something strange happens: she sees a cat with false teeth! This leads her to discover Mercury Motor Cycles. It's a really unusual motorcycle repair shop hidden down an alley.
Inside the shop, Erica meets a mysterious young man named "Elsie" Wainwright. He lets her help out in the workshop, which is a huge honor for Erica. She starts to learn all about fixing motorcycles. She also learns a whole new language of motorcycle terms and meets many interesting people. These include characters like Bunny and Bill Birdcycle.
As the summer goes on, Erica starts to get her own "handle." She learns a lot about herself and what she wants to do. By the end of her holiday, she is determined to become a mechanic.
