Crunch Book

Dewey Marriss is stuck in the middle of a crunch.

He never guessed that the gas pumps would run dry the same week he promised to manage the family's bicycle-repair business. Suddenly everyone needs a bike. And nobody wants to wait.

Meanwhile, the crunch has stranded Dewey's parents far up north with an empty fuel tank and no way home. It's up to Dewey and his older sister, Lil, to look after their younger siblings and run the bike shop all on their own.

Each day Dewey and his siblings feel their parents' absence more and more. The Marriss Bike Barn is busier than ever. And just when he is starting to feel crunched himself, Dewey discovers that bike parts are missing from the shop. He's sure he knows who's responsible—or does he? Will exposing the thief only make more trouble for Dewey and his siblings?

Award-winning author Leslie Connor has created another timely family story infused with humor and hope.

Children's Literature

The ability to get into a car and drive anywhere is often taken for granted, but in this novel, readers are taken not too far into the future to a time where there are severe gas restrictions and occasionally no available gas at all. Dewey Mariss and his siblings find themselves in this situation when they learn that their parents are stranded at the Canadian border trying to make their way home during a summer where people have turned to bicycles as a real means for getting around. Dewey takes responsibility for his father's side business—a bicycle repair shop—and knows the thrill of pride when he and his brother Vince are able to handle things even though their dad is away. When parts begin to disappear from the shop and people bring more bikes to "The Bike Barn" than the two brothers can possible handle, however, Dewey and his older sister, Lil, clash over what is in the best interests for the five Mariss children while their parents are away. Nevertheless, Dewey is resolved to do what is best for the family and the Bike Barn, including solving the mystery of who is taking the parts and stealing bikes. The characters in this story are well developed and their reactions to the various challenges they face ring true. This book should be a favorite with younger readers. Reviewer: Jean Boreen, Ph.D.