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lajenn's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book kicked my ass in a good way. Very emotional!
migimon2002's review
5.0
This short novel packed a punch. So many beautiful moments. A moving portrait of a young girl coming of age amidst the shadows of a difficult past. The characters will stay with you long after you turn the final page.
rikkir77's review against another edition
5.0
Heartbreaking, sweet, and wonderful. I heard this book may make you cry and it definitely did. I love all the people RYDR meets on the train and I love following her journey when dealing with her grief. I would have a liked a little more at the end but it’s still great.
Hand to people who enjoyed Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise.
Hand to people who enjoyed Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise.
sasha_in_a_box's review against another edition
4.0
I was on my way home from Boston, trying to sleep on the Amtrak last weekend. I gave up, and was flipping through my Edelweiss books when I came upon this on. I didn't remember even getting this one, but I opened it because the protagonist is also on the Amtrak, taking a bit of a different kind of journey.
We don't know her (real) name, but Rider/Rydr a young girl traveling from California to Chicago. She is carried along to find a new living situation, as her parents are gone and her grandmother is too, more recently. Along the way, she makes connections, observes, and thinks a lot. There is a lot of sadness and a whole bunch of pain, but this book is just so peaceful. It's one of those novels that needs to find you when you need it, and I can't wait for the right people to discover it at the right time. It's about people's expectations of each other, about pretense and reality, about poetry and love. It's really sweet and tender, and it introduces young people to Howl.
It has a lot of situations that seriously stretch the limits of suspension of disbelief, but it's enjoyable and satisfying. Lovely!
-I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review-
We don't know her (real) name, but Rider/Rydr a young girl traveling from California to Chicago. She is carried along to find a new living situation, as her parents are gone and her grandmother is too, more recently. Along the way, she makes connections, observes, and thinks a lot. There is a lot of sadness and a whole bunch of pain, but this book is just so peaceful. It's one of those novels that needs to find you when you need it, and I can't wait for the right people to discover it at the right time. It's about people's expectations of each other, about pretense and reality, about poetry and love. It's really sweet and tender, and it introduces young people to Howl.
It has a lot of situations that seriously stretch the limits of suspension of disbelief, but it's enjoyable and satisfying. Lovely!
-I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review-
librariandest's review against another edition
5.0
When a book makes me cry and think and consider reading beat poetry (which I hate), I have to give it five stars.
This book is not flawless, but it's beautiful. The writing, the characters, the journey. All beautiful. I hate to hear people say this book is too sad, because I think it's actually a very optimistic book. Rydr is so strong in the face of all she's gone through with her mother's addiction and death, not to mention being cared for by a stern grandmother who then also passes away.
This book is about resilience.
I have high hopes for it come Newbery time.
This book is not flawless, but it's beautiful. The writing, the characters, the journey. All beautiful. I hate to hear people say this book is too sad, because I think it's actually a very optimistic book. Rydr is so strong in the face of all she's gone through with her mother's addiction and death, not to mention being cared for by a stern grandmother who then also passes away.
This book is about resilience.
I have high hopes for it come Newbery time.
withthebanned's review
3.0
Train I Ride was sweet. It was very short and therefore hard to really feel deeply for any of the relationships made. Despite this, I still felt emotional during certain moments. I didn’t love the end, and I worry for our main character, but her strength absolutely shone through.
carolynaugustyn's review against another edition
4.0
A quick read but really packs a punch to the feels. I thought this book handles serious topics really well, especially for a middle grade read. Grief, addiction, starting over, losing your family, struggling to fit in are all topics this book covers and does a wonderful job showing that these things don't have to be world ending challenges. The characters are all wholesome and lovely and just good people. This book definitely made me tear up and root for everyone in the book. Highly recommend.