Published by Schwartz & Wade: New York City in the 1860s was a mess: crowded, disgusting, filled with garbage. You see, way back in 1860, there were no subways, just cobblestone streets. That is, until Alfred Ely Beach had the idea for a fan-powered train that would travel underground. On February 26, 1870, after fifty-eight days of drilling and painting and plastering, Beach unveiled his masterpiece—and throngs of visitors took turns swooshing down the track.
The Secret Subway will wow readers, just as Beach’s underground train wowed riders over a century ago.
Nugget: Way before the subway, New York city once had an underground train that today is long forgotten.
Need Enticement: The author approaches in a meta-fiction fashion, she addresses the reader. Pulls them in to the book. I was hooked immediately. She uses words to point out how disgusting and dirty the streets of NYC are and explains something must be done. But what?
Escalation: New York needs some relief from congestion of people and buggies. One man has an idea. But soon, shop owners band together to boycott the idea because the train bypasses their stores and keeps people from window shopping and possibly buying. The train is shut down until the city approves the subway system that we know of today and the forgotten train is discovered.
Satisfying Ending: There was even a little railroad car rusting in its tracks, and a tunneling machine perched at the end-- ready to lead the way forward. --- Ok, as you can see, I feel as though there was so much much left unsatisfied. What happened when they found it? How did it get blocked over? It has only been 42 years, there are still enough people to remember it, not like it was 142 years.
Sources: As always Shana does a stellar job on author's note, sources, and acknowledgements.
Show Words: Disgusting, jounced, buggies, double-decker roads, roadblock, illuminating, gaslights. --- there were so many, that I am in love :-)
Why: An underground train? Come on, what kid will not find this fascinating?
Need & Want: Need to find a way to move people through the city as the city traffic grows. Alfred Ely Beach
* This book is much different than author Shana Corey's normal writing style. Although I do love this book and the golden nugget, the ending left me wanting more, I wasn't satisfied. I wonder if this change in style lead to the change in publisher?
* The illustrations in this story are done by Red Nose Studio, very fitting because it reminds me of the old Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer movie. Think Tim Burton and Nightmare Before Christmas meets Picture Book and you will get a lovely unique result. I think that we will see this art style pop up again.
The Secret Subway will wow readers, just as Beach’s underground train wowed riders over a century ago.
Nugget: Way before the subway, New York city once had an underground train that today is long forgotten.
Need Enticement: The author approaches in a meta-fiction fashion, she addresses the reader. Pulls them in to the book. I was hooked immediately. She uses words to point out how disgusting and dirty the streets of NYC are and explains something must be done. But what?
Escalation: New York needs some relief from congestion of people and buggies. One man has an idea. But soon, shop owners band together to boycott the idea because the train bypasses their stores and keeps people from window shopping and possibly buying. The train is shut down until the city approves the subway system that we know of today and the forgotten train is discovered.
Satisfying Ending: There was even a little railroad car rusting in its tracks, and a tunneling machine perched at the end-- ready to lead the way forward. --- Ok, as you can see, I feel as though there was so much much left unsatisfied. What happened when they found it? How did it get blocked over? It has only been 42 years, there are still enough people to remember it, not like it was 142 years.
Sources: As always Shana does a stellar job on author's note, sources, and acknowledgements.
Show Words: Disgusting, jounced, buggies, double-decker roads, roadblock, illuminating, gaslights. --- there were so many, that I am in love :-)
Why: An underground train? Come on, what kid will not find this fascinating?
Need & Want: Need to find a way to move people through the city as the city traffic grows. Alfred Ely Beach
* This book is much different than author Shana Corey's normal writing style. Although I do love this book and the golden nugget, the ending left me wanting more, I wasn't satisfied. I wonder if this change in style lead to the change in publisher?
* The illustrations in this story are done by Red Nose Studio, very fitting because it reminds me of the old Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer movie. Think Tim Burton and Nightmare Before Christmas meets Picture Book and you will get a lovely unique result. I think that we will see this art style pop up again.
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