Reviews

Throughly enjoyed this one! A magical train shows up on the doorstep of Kate and Tom from their uncle they have never met and they go on the train ride of a lifetime!

How cool would it be to create a train! I know mine would have a candy and library car just like theirs!

This book teaches lessons about not giving up and the harmful affects humans are having on animal populations. Worth the read!

rsngphoenix's review against another edition

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adventurous informative medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

scholarhect's review against another edition

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5.0

Screen-reading in advance of Christmas to make sure the books I’ve bought my niece are suitable - this one was utterly charming. It reminded me strongly of how I felt when I first read Roald Dahl as a child. And for something that’s very obviously aimed at children, it’s actually quite enjoyable as an adult, Grossman has a delightful sense of humour and a deft touch.

readaroundtherosie's review against another edition

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4.0

"The adventure never ends"

A beautiful adventure handed to a young girl and her brother, full of talking animals and a call to activism. An absolute delight to read, I only wish it were longer.

alissabar's review against another edition

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3.0

Fun adventure beginning with a birthday gift from an uncle---a magic steam engine that takes you on an adventure. Loved the talking animals, candy car, and spunky Kate. I thought the environmental message was a little heavy handed, but I don't think kids will mind.

2020 Popsugar Reading Challenge: #7 The first book you touch on a shelf with your eyes closed.

fawksylibrarian's review against another edition

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4.0

The Silver Arrow by Lev Grossman is a wonderful new addition to children's fiction. Grossman takes us back to the classic style and feel of children's literature akin to the Chronicles of Narnia, Roald Dahl, and a touch of Lemony Snicket. For her 11th birthday Kate has sent a desperate request to her estranged rich uncle to give her some sort of delightful present. She did not expect Uncle Herbert to show up with a steam engine named the Silver Arrow, let alone the adventures said train would take her and her brother Tom on. Full of talking animals for passengers, readers are introduced to many endangered (or close) animals as they embark to new places hoping to find peace from the invading humans. While the message of conservation is certainly a theme, it doesn't ring too heavy as to turn off readers. Simon Vance's reading is wonderfully done, especially as he takes on different accents for each animal that reflect not just its region of origin, but also its attributes as an animal. While other reviews seem to be marking The Silver Arrow as Middle Grade, I would argue it's not a true Middle Grade and should be targeted toward slightly younger readers (again think of your typical readers for Narnia, Dahl, Snicket, even L'Engle). Either way it was a swell ride and I'll look to see where the Silver Arrow takes Kate and Tom next.

lewismillholland's review against another edition

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1.0

Bro what is this book even about. It's so episodic and the connections from one arc to another stem from the "mystery" of the world which manifests not as intriguing but as lazy. I asked Ava what she thought and she said she didn't know. I asked her what happened in the story and she shrugged. But she suggested it to me and you know that 100% means I'm gonna read it.

I did like the touching on of environmentalism at the end. About humans using their environment to survive, but then overdoing it and raping the earth's natural resources and a need for a species-wide recalibration. It was heavy-handed, sure, and wasn't uniquely insightful but this is a kid's book. Exposure to these concepts is arguably paramount.

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