Synopses & Reviews
Welcome aboard! Travel back in time to join the workers of the Union Pacific Railroad as they pounded west and those from the Central Pacific Railroad as they charged east to build the first transcontinental rail line in the United States. They were racing to meet in Utah, and it was high drama all the way. Workers had to burst through rocky outcrops while hanging in baskets and sleep in tents on top of railroad cars or in barracks buried in snow.
Bouncy, short verse highlights the steps it took to finally bring the tracks together, and powerful illustrations capture the landscape and the labor.
Review
"Rythmic text and engaging illustrations capture the drama and excitement of the race to build the transcontinental railroad in the 1860's. . . An exciting and well-paced package." --School Library Journal, starred review
Review
"Kay and McCurdy create a wonder-working setting for their book on the story behind the first transcontinental rail line." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Review
"Anyone with the least interest in trains will be enthralled with the huge barracks riding on flatcars, the snowplow structure covering the whole engine, and the elegant old passenger trains. . . . A strong, memorable taste of events that will surely enliven many a social studies lesson." --Horn Book
About the Author
Verla Kay lives in Tekoa, Washington.
Michael McCurdy lives in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.