👍The Silver Arrow

by Lex Grossman

Amazon rating: 4.6/5.0, grades 3-7

Good Reads: 4.02/5

Common Sense Media: age 8+

4Rbooks: 4/6, Grades 4+

Synopsis:

11-year-old Kate is hoping for an adventure to break her out of her hum-drum life. Living with her no-nonsense parents, she doesn’t see that happening any time soon.

She writes her rich uncle asking for a special gift. On her birthday, her Uncle Herbert brings her one in the form of a genuine steam locomotive which he sets up in the backyard. Her parents aren’t pleased, and Kate isn’t sure what to do with it. That night, she, and her brother Tom, 9, explore the train and learn it can communicate with people. Soon it is moving and takes them on an adventure around the world, through the forests, the mountains, the oceans, and even into the clouds with talking animals as their passengers.

While on their trip they learn how to run the engine, they are introduced to a wide variety of animals and environments, and discover problem solving skills they never knew they had. Mostly they learn how to never quit or give up on themselves.

Parental Guidance: Medium Low

There is one intense scene of danger, possibly drowning, that could be concerning to younger or sensitive children.

There are “pro-environment/people have been bad” narratives introduced at the end of the book that might lead to some questions and concerns by younger children about the state of the world. It’s obvious the author had an agenda to the story. It could be a good starting point for family discussions on environment issues.

Recommendation: medium

Polar Express meets Chronicles of Narnia is how many people classify this book and I would agree. Unfortunately, this book doesn’t match up to either one of those classics.

While the train ride is entertaining, there is a definite sense of “are we there yet?” This would not be a good story for an impatient reader. It develops slowly and the payoffs at the end are personal lessons, no grand destination or event. Kate develops as a character throughout the story. Tom doesn’t have much to do but is given one moment to star.

If your child is interested in animals, there are plenty here that are out of the ordinary and could lead to further research. I thought some were made up until I looked them up myself and discovered they are real.