Subject
Motorcycles -- Juvenile fiction Books
Best books
Victor Appleton
Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle; Or, Fun and Adventures on the Road
"Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle; Or, Fun and Adventures on the Road" by Appleton is a novel published by Grosset & Dunlap as the first volume in the original Tom Swift series. Young inventor Tom Swift modifies his newly purchased motorcycle and volunteers to deliver his father's revolutionary turbine design plans across country. Unaware of dangerous corporate investors plotting to steal the invention, Tom falls into their trap and must face the greatest peril of his life while racing to recover the stolen blueprints.
Herbert Strang
The Motor Scout: A Story of Adventure in South America
"The Motor Scout: A Story of Adventure in South America" by Herbert Strang is a fictional adventure novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows Young Tim O’Hagan, a spirited sixteen-year-old boy living in the town of San Rosario in the Peruvian Andes, who gets caught up in thrilling escapades involving a motor-bicycle, brigands, and local politics, including the corrupt governor and the rebellions against the oppressive prefect. At the start of the novel, readers are introduced to Tim as he takes a wild ride through town with the local gobernador, Señor José Fagasta, who is humorously terrified of the motor-bicycle. The ride quickly turns serious when they are ambushed by brigands, and while Tim manages to escape, he is ultimately left grappling with his conscience about abandoning the gobernador. Subsequently, Tim decides to return and frees Señor Fagasta from captivity, leading to an unexpected friendship. This sets in motion a series of events involving Tim's family, corrupt officials, and a deeper political conflict, propelling the storyline into exciting and risky adventures as the young protagonist navigates his way through schemes and dangers that impact both his family and community.
Clarence Young
The Motor Boys; or, Chums Through Thick and Thin
"The Motor Boys; or, Chums Through Thick and Thin" by Clarence Young is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around a group of adventurous boys—Ned, Bob, and Jerry—who are excited about their bicycles and the prospect of entering club races. This vibrant narrative explores themes of friendship, competition, and youthful aspiration, framed against the backdrop of a growing fascination with motorized vehicles. The opening of the book introduces us to the three protagonists enjoying a sunny day of cycling and racing in their hometown of Cresville. They are portrayed as energetic, well-meaning boys who have aspirations of transitioning from bicycles to motor-cycles, highlighting their lively camaraderie. After a minor collision with a local bully, Noddy Nixon, who threatens revenge and is later implicated in a robbery, the storyline hints at a brewing conflict. This sets the stage for both a light-hearted adventure and a budding mystery, as the boys prepare for the upcoming races while navigating the complexities of their rivalry with Noddy and his scheming friend Jack.
Stanley R. Matthews
Motor Matt's Double Trouble; or, The Last of the Hoodoo
"Motor Matt's Double Trouble; or, The Last of the Hoodoo" by Stanley R. Matthews is a work of fiction, specifically a thrilling adventure story, likely written in the early 20th century. The narrative follows Motor Matt, a resourceful young man famed for his motor skills, as he navigates a series of escapades involving a stolen ruby and the treacherous actions of a Chinaman named Sam Wing. Alongside his cowboy friend Joe McGlory, Motor Matt must confront various antagonists in a race against time filled with excitement and danger. The opening of the story introduces the main conflict when a mandarin named Tsan Ti is aboard a train, carrying a precious red jewel, which he dreams of restoring to an idol’s forehead. Meanwhile, his treacherous servant, Sam Wing, secretly plots to steal the jewel from the mandarin. As the train travels through the night, Wing successfully pilfers the jewel, leading to a series of frantic events as Tsan Ti calls for help from Motor Matt. The ensuing chase promises high stakes, as both Tsan Ti's plight and the fate of the ruby entangle Matt and his companions in a whirlwind of intrigue and action.
Stanley R. Matthews
Motor Matt; or, The King of the Wheel Motor Stories Thrilling Adventure Motor Fiction No 1.
"Motor Matt; or, The King of the Wheel" by Stanley R. Matthews is a thrilling adventure novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Matt King, a talented athlete with a mysterious past, who faces challenges both on the track and off as he deals with rivals, friendships, and unexpected tensions. The narrative unfolds in the backdrop of a bicycle racing competition, blending elements of youth sports, competition, and camaraderie. At the start of the narrative, we are introduced to Matt and his friends, including Susie McReady and Chub, as they navigate the trials of adolescence in Phoenix. The opening chapter depicts a tense encounter between Matt and Dace Perry, an antagonist with a spiteful streak. After intervening in a confrontation involving Susie and Perry, Matt begins to realize that his athletic abilities and status are under threat, not only from Perry but also from a vengeful fellow student named Clipperton. As tensions rise, Matt prepares for a crucial bicycle try-out amid growing conflicts, setting the stage for a fierce competition and the pursuit of victory in the upcoming races.
Percy F. (Percy Francis) Westerman
The Dispatch-Riders: The Adventures of Two British Motor-cyclists in the Great War
"The Dispatch-Riders: The Adventures of Two British Motor-cyclists in the Great War" by Percy F. Westerman is a historical adventure novel written in the early 20th century. Set against the backdrop of World War I, the story follows two young British motorcyclists, Kenneth Everest and Rollo Barrington, who embark on a journey through France and Belgium just as the war is escalating. Their journey takes a thrilling turn as they become involved in military actions, demonstrating bravery and resourcefulness amidst the chaos of war. At the start of the narrative, Kenneth and Rollo are depicted as adventurous schoolboys eager to explore Europe on their motorbikes. They begin their journey in the picturesque Belgian town of Dinant, where they encounter news of the mobilization of the Belgian army and the impending war. As they decide to visit Kenneth's sister in Liège, they quickly realize the gravity of the situation when they engage in conversations with local military officials. Their decision to continue on to Liège despite warnings marks the beginning of their involvement in military operations and sets the stage for their transformation from carefree youths into active participants in the war effort as dispatch-riders for the Belgian army. The opening chapters establish a compelling mix of youthful adventure and the sobering realities of conflict, promising an engaging tale of courage and heroism.
Stanley R. Matthews
Motor Matt's Race; or, The Last Flight of the Comet
"Motor Matt's Race; or, The Last Flight of the Comet" by Stanley R. Matthews is a thrilling adventure novel likely written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Motor Matt, also known as Matt King, and his friends as they navigate a series of daring escapades involving fast cars, stampeding cattle, and crime. The opening sets up the camaraderie among the characters and hints at an underlying mystery, particularly concerning their friend Clip, who is caught up in a dangerous situation connected to a notorious figure from his past. The opening of the novel introduces Motor Matt and his friends on a leisurely ride through the hills in Phoenix, where they encounter a stampede of cattle. Their joyride quickly turns chaotic as they must dodge the advancing herd, showcasing Matt's driving skills and quick thinking. This event leads to a deeper plot involving Clip and a mysterious half-breed named Pima Pete, who has connections to a gang of criminals. Tension mounts when it is revealed that circumstances are swirling around a stolen bag of gold, which connects to Clip's family, trapping him in a complex web of loyalty and suspicion. As the boys journey unfolds, themes of friendship, adventure, and the quest for justice begin to take shape.
Stanley R. Matthews
Motor Matt's Daring; or, True to His Friends Motor Stories Thrilling Adventure Motor Fiction No. 2, March 6, 1909
"Motor Matt's Daring; or True to His Friends" by Stanley R. Matthews is a thrilling adventure novel written in the early 20th century. It follows the brave and talented young protagonist, Matt King, known as "Motor Matt," as he navigates through a series of exciting escapades involving deceit, rivalry, and the pursuit of a valuable mining claim. The story is set against a backdrop of western adventure, showcasing themes of friendship, loyalty, and the quest for justice. At the start of the story, we meet Matt and his friends as they deal with a comically disastrous incident involving an old man named Welcome who tries to ride a runaway motor-cycle. This humorous scene establishes the tone and camaraderie of the characters. However, the narrative quickly introduces more serious stakes as Matt retrieves a mysterious letter dropped by a nefarious gambler named Dirk Hawley. This letter reveals that Matt's friend Chub's father, a prospector, has found a potentially lucrative mining claim but is in danger from Hawley's schemes. As Matt and Chub set out to protect the claim, the plot thickens with encounters of villainy, including rivalry from Dace Perry and the threat of losing the claim to dishonest means, setting the stage for a high-stakes adventure.
Stanley R. Matthews
Motor Matt's "Century" Run; or, The Governor's Courier
"Motor Matt's 'Century' Run; or, The Governor's Courier" by Stanley R. Matthews is a thrilling adventure fiction written in the early 20th century. The story follows the daring exploits of Matt King, known as "Motor Matt," who embarks on a high-stakes mission to deliver a crucial message for the governor. Accompanied by his friend Chub McReady, the narrative unfolds as they encounter various challenges, including a runaway horse team, a mysterious young girl named Rags, and dangerous enemies connected to the smuggling of Chinamen. At the start of the narrative, Matt, along with his inventive friend Chub, witnesses an accident involving Welcome Perkins, a quirky character attempting to fly an aeroplane. This incident introduces the boys to the overarching theme of adventure and helps set the stage for Matt's heroic journey. Shortly after, Matt rushes to save a young girl tied to a runaway wagon, leading to a confrontation with two suspicious Mexicans. As he struggles to piece together the mystery surrounding the girl and the shady characters associated with her, Matt learns of a more pressing mission from the governor, thrusting him into a dangerous race against time as he gears up to thwart the plans of a notorious gang.
J. W. Duffield
Bert Wilson's Twin Cylinder Racer
"Bert Wilson's Twin Cylinder Racer" by J. W. Duffield is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Bert Wilson, a daring and skilled young motorcyclist, as he embarks on an adventurous coast-to-coast race while facing unforeseen challenges and dangers. Throughout his journey, Bert's bravery and quick thinking are put to the test, highlighting themes of perseverance and heroism." "The opening of the novel introduces us to a tense situation at a railroad station where a runaway locomotive threatens to collide with an oncoming train. Amidst the chaos, Bert Wilson, a young motorcyclist, takes immediate action to avert disaster by using his telegraph skills and racing to reach a crucial switch point. His impressive motorcycle and quick wit allow him to maneuver through the frenzied crowd and ultimately save countless lives from the impending catastrophe. The episode sets the stage for Bert's character as an able hero and adventurous spirit, hinting at the thrilling escapades that await him in the race ahead."
Ralph Marlow
The Big Five Motorcycle Boys on the Battle Line; Or, With the Allies in France
"The Big Five Motorcycle Boys on the Battle Line; Or, With the Allies in France" by Ralph Marlow is an adventurous children's novel written in the early 20th century. This book follows the exploits of five young American boys who call themselves "The Big Five," as they navigate the war-torn landscapes of Europe during World War I. The central characters, including Rod, Elmer, Hanky Panky, Josh, and Rooster, embark on a mission filled with excitement and danger as they encounter various challenges and help those affected by the war. The opening of the novel sets the stage with the boys bidding farewell to their comrades as they prepare to explore the city of Antwerp amidst the backdrop of the war. Upon arrival, they encounter a French woman, Jeanne, whose husband is a soldier in need of assistance. The boys, filled with a sense of adventure and bravery, decide to help her locate her husband and deliver important documents that could change her family's fate. The tone is lively and engaging, capturing the youthful exuberance of the boys as they navigate a world filled with both peril and the desire to do good, promising readers a thrilling ride through early war experiences.
G. Harvey (George Harvey) Ralphson
Boy Scouts on Motorcycles; Or, With the Flying Squadron
"Boy Scouts on Motorcycles; Or, With the Flying Squadron" by G. Harvey Ralphson is an adventure novel likely written during the early 20th century. The story focuses on a group of Boy Scouts who find themselves in China, where they are embroiled in a mission involving local intrigue and potential danger amid the backdrop of foreign tension. At the start of the novel, we meet four boys—Ned Nestor, Jimmie McGraw, Frank Shaw, and Jack Bosworth—who are waiting in a rundown apartment in Taku for a Secret Service operative who has yet to arrive with crucial information. The boys share their grievances about their current location compared to their beloved New York City and discuss their expectations of the mission ahead. As they prepare to head to Peking on their motorcycles, they grow increasingly suspicious of their surroundings, especially as peculiar events unfold, including tampered motorcycles and the presence of shady locals. The opening chapter sets an atmospheric tension, indicating that the boys must face challenges as they pursue their mission and navigate the complexities of a land foreign to them.
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