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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I was privileged to attend a Kenneth Oppel launch of this book and hear a lot about the genesis of this idea. He's taken an interesting approach with this book. By mythologizing Canadian history, he takes us on a journey across Canada, from Halifax to Victoria, via a Titanic-inspired train that is populated with famous personalities such as Sam Steele and creatures such as a Sasquatch. Personally, I enjoyed the use of present tense, which really serves to ground the reader in the moment (an interesting tactic for a book that takes place in the past).
The hardcover edition has a nice bonus at the back . . . a ticket for The Boundless, and another one for the Zirkus Dante.
The hardcover edition has a nice bonus at the back . . . a ticket for The Boundless, and another one for the Zirkus Dante.
Oppel doesn't disappoint in this action packed train adventure. Will is a relate-able character and the fantastic adventures are just believable enough. Kids should eat this up!
Summary: Aboard "The Boundless," the greatest train ever built, on its maiden voyage across Canada, teenaged Will enlists the aid of a traveling circus to save the train from villains.
Summary: Aboard "The Boundless," the greatest train ever built, on its maiden voyage across Canada, teenaged Will enlists the aid of a traveling circus to save the train from villains.
The Boundless is a train like no other. It is a city in itself. It is making its maiden voyage across the country. It stretches miles down the tracks and has 900+ cars. It includes Cornelius Van Horne's funeral car rumored to contain untold treasure and 80 circus cars. Will's father works for the railroad and will be driving the train. That leaves Will on his own for the trip. When he witnesses a murder, Will doesn't know who to turn to for help. Luckily Mr. Dorien, the circus owner steps in. He and young Maren, the tightrope walker, disguise Will as a spirit artist in order to help him make his way back to the front of the train. The villain, Brogran the breakman, wants the gold from the funeral car and has enlisted to the help of other train workers to get it. Will, Maren and Mr. Dorien must make their way to the front of the train and the funeral car before Brogan and stop him.
I like the claustrophobic feel of the train as they travel through the classes of cars. It adds a lot of atmosphere to the book. I did think the story was a bit of a mismash though. You have fantastical creatures like the sasquatch and the wendigo and the swamp hag. You also have the myth of the Fountain of Youth and the Portrait of Dorian Gray coming into play. Most middle grade readers will not have been exposed to Dorian Gray yet so that seemed like a real misstep to me. I thought the story would have been stronger without these supernatural elements, but they did add a bit more suspense and tension to the plot. Brogran was a bit one-dimensional and the ending was a little too perfect, but other than that it was a fun train mystery.
I like the claustrophobic feel of the train as they travel through the classes of cars. It adds a lot of atmosphere to the book. I did think the story was a bit of a mismash though. You have fantastical creatures like the sasquatch and the wendigo and the swamp hag. You also have the myth of the Fountain of Youth and the Portrait of Dorian Gray coming into play. Most middle grade readers will not have been exposed to Dorian Gray yet so that seemed like a real misstep to me. I thought the story would have been stronger without these supernatural elements, but they did add a bit more suspense and tension to the plot. Brogran was a bit one-dimensional and the ending was a little too perfect, but other than that it was a fun train mystery.
So much potential and so much to like - an epic train, a girl escape artist, a boy artist artist, a circus, a robbery, and a Sasquatch - I wish this was a series.
An interesting combination of historical and fantasy adventure. Starting with the Last spike of the CP rail moving along with Sam Steele, a circus ringmaster of Metis heritage, a Sasquatch captured as a circus marvel, Cornelius Krieghoff, Sir Sanford Fleming, and touching on many aspects of the rail era of Canadian history. Will, an engineers son must travel the length of a mammoth train The Boundless from caboose to locomotive disguised as a circus performer to escape from a murderer by depending on others in an effort to save his father and protect the last spike from the murdering thief.
adventure fantasy
Grades 5- 8
Excellent
adventure fantasy
Grades 5- 8
Excellent
Fast-paced, lots of action. Good for reluctant readers (especially boys)
A cute story, though the pacing was rather slow. Loved the setting!
This book as a little bit for everyone and it kept me engaged. Started it Saturday afternoon and finished early Sunday morning!
I picked this book up at the library for my 11 year old son after reading some intriguing reviews - adventure, mystery, murder, trains - this story has it all, and a stunningly gorgeous cover to boot. My son devoured it and spoke so excitedly about it I decided to read it myself. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it for readers in grade 5 & up.