Monsieur Albert Rides to Glory

Gr 3–4—When Albert, an elderly Parisian cyclist, decides to enter a local race, he finds himself up against handsome young François, who looks more like he belongs in a boy band than on a bike. Readers will cheer the slow but determined Albert as the rhythm of each rhyming line keeps pace with his journey over mountains, through snack breaks and cramped muscles. Atop a snowy peak, he narrowly escapes a giant snowball that sweeps the other racers, fancy François included, and launches them down the slope, through the countryside, and off a cliff into the sea. Luckily for them, they all survive both the giant avalanche and potential drowning to witness Albert's triumph. Smith's text successfully incorporates cycling vocabulary and French words by giving readers a pronunciation guide in the rhyme scheme. Graham's warm and humorous illustrations make Albert an unlikely but lovable champion.—Jenna Boles, Greene County Public Library, OH