MARCH 2022 - AudioFile
Simon Vance narrates the second title of this fantasy series. Conductors Kate and Tom board the Silver Arrow train once again, this time for an unsanctioned mission to find their Uncle Herbert and to save more animals being threatened by climate change. During their international journey, the duo cross paths with another train, the mysterious Golden Swift. Vance's proper British narration transports listeners into Kate and Tom's world. Vance hits his marks perfectly with superb and understated voicings for the various animals who are part of the story. (The humming of bee-speak is particularly notable.) Like the first book, this one espouses the message of conservation and the consequences of human actions upon the animal world. S.D.B. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
From the Publisher
"This Silver Arrow (2020) sequel retains the magic of the first installment but goes deeper, revealing more of the secretive train world while raising the moral stakes."—Booklist
"Gentle, encouraging, witty fantasy that may soothe readers suffering from climate anxiety. "—Kirkus
"The riveting action will keep young readers turning pages, eager to find out what happens next."—School Library Journal
MARCH 2022 - AudioFile
Simon Vance narrates the second title of this fantasy series. Conductors Kate and Tom board the Silver Arrow train once again, this time for an unsanctioned mission to find their Uncle Herbert and to save more animals being threatened by climate change. During their international journey, the duo cross paths with another train, the mysterious Golden Swift. Vance's proper British narration transports listeners into Kate and Tom's world. Vance hits his marks perfectly with superb and understated voicings for the various animals who are part of the story. (The humming of bee-speak is particularly notable.) Like the first book, this one espouses the message of conservation and the consequences of human actions upon the animal world. S.D.B. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2022-03-29
Children with magical talking steam trains are thrilled by their clever new plan to rescue endangered animals.
Eleven-year-old Kate absolutely adores her secret job—helping animals in need by using the magical locomotive that was a gift from her billionaire wizard uncle. Kate loves riding the Silver Arrow with Uncle Herbert; her brother, Tom; and the talking animals they escort to safe places. But now Uncle Herbert is missing, 9-year-old Tom seems more interested in hapkido than their supernatural train, and Kate’s struggling socially and academically thanks to her eco-anxiety. No matter how many animals she helps, no matter how many adults proclaim that climate change is a critical issue, the environment keeps getting worse. One night Kate discovers another train driving on the magical railroad: The Golden Swift is conducted by her classmate Jag, who thinks rescuing stranded creatures isn’t sufficiently radical. When Kate joins him, she feels more inspired and more righteous than ever before. This time, she’s actually making the world better! Kate’s unhappy discoveries of unintended consequences and the moral complexities of her activism are softened by humor. The snarky banter of the talking locomotive is an understated delight, as is the train constructed with, among others, candy and ice cream cars, an invisible car, and a dojo car. Kate and Tom are White; Jag is described as having dark skin and black hair and possibly being Indian. Charming illustrations enhance the text.
Gentle, encouraging, witty fantasy that may soothe readers suffering from climate anxiety. (Fantasy. 8-10)