The Bicycle That Unplugged Us by Letizia Basile is a sweet and heartwarming story about friendship, fun, and learning. The story takes place in the beautiful village of Sant’Alessio Siculo, a peaceful spot by the sea in Sicily. It follows five kids—Chiara, Salvo, Martina, Giulia, and Carola—who spend their summer without smartphones or tablets. The book shows how they discover the joys of real life and the value of being together.
The Bicycle That Unplugged Us is a lovely book for kids and adults. It reminds us to enjoy simple things, like nature and friendship. Letizia Basile’s story inspires us to turn off our devices sometimes and focus on the people and beauty around us. The book shows that real treasures aren’t on our screens but in the world we live in.
What the Story is About
The story begins with a big surprise: the kids’ parents tell them that this summer, they can’t use any gadgets like phones or tablets. At first, the kids are upset and don’t know what to do. But soon, they start exploring the world around them and find out that life without screens can be full of amazing adventures.
They ride bikes along the coast, build a small house by the beach, and even organize a treasure hunt. Through these activities, they become closer as friends. Each of them also grows in their own way: Chiara, who loves video games and drawing, becomes a great leader. Salvo, who is autistic, opens up and shows how special and smart he is. Martina, the playful and musical one, shines in her performances. Giulia expresses herself through dance, and Carola’s love for details helps the group work well together.
They also enjoy the beauty of nature—watching sunsets, swimming in clear waters, and even meeting a friendly dolphin named Undine. Each moment helps them see the world differently and teaches them the importance of being in the moment and connecting with others.
What We Learn from the Story
Life Without Screens Can Be Fun: The book shows that life can be exciting when we put down our phones. The kids find joy in nature, adventure, and spending time with each other.
Friendship and Acceptance Matter: Salvo, who has autism, teaches his friends about kindness and understanding. Their friendship becomes stronger because they accept and support each other.
Trying New Things Helps Us Grow: Each kid learns something new about themselves. Chiara becomes more confident, and Martina uses her energy in creative ways. The summer helps all of them grow.
Balance is Important: The story doesn’t say we should avoid technology completely. Instead, it reminds us to balance our time between screens and real-life experiences.
My Thoughts
I really enjoyed this story because it reminded me how important it is to look up from our screens and enjoy the world around us. The way Letizia Basile describes the village and nature made me feel like I was there with the kids. Their adventures, like building a house and meeting the dolphin, were fun and heartwarming.
Salvo’s story touched me the most. It shows how special everyone is in their own way and how important it is to understand and accept each other. I also liked how the kids’ feelings were written—at first, they were upset about giving up their phones, but by the end, they loved their new experiences.
Some parts of the book felt a little slow, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the story. It has a wonderful message: that the best moments in life happen when we spend time with others and enjoy the world around us.
