Daredevils (Cascade Mountain Railroad Mysteries) [Hardcover]

Anne Capeci (Author), Paul Casale (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Cascade Mountain Railroad Mysteries

This second book in a the Cascade Mountain Railroad Mysteries series features a trio of mischievous and determined young sleuths set against the backdrop of early twentieth century America.
It's 1926 and excitement is in the air in the remote camp town of Scenic, Washington. An air show starring Ross Ellison, a dashing flying ace, is coming to a nearby town and Billy, Finn, and Dannie can't wait to meet the Great War hero-who happens to be Finn's uncle.
The children's enthusiasm is dampened only by the foolish antics of Phillip Mackay, the spoiled son of the railroad's owner who is visiting from Chicago with his father. But when Billy overhears a surly looking man threatening Uncle Ross, he can't help but wonder: Is that the notorious smuggler whose picture he saw in the Wenatchee Daily World? Soon Billy and his friends find themselves caught up in a mystery-and Finn's uncle seems to be right in the middle of it. Then Philip pulls one final stunt, bringing him and the three young investigators face to face with danger!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5–This Prohibition-era story is similar in style to the "American Girls" books (Pleasant Company) and is based on the construction of the Great Northern Railway's Cascade Tunnel. Life in Scenic, WA, an isolated railroad construction camp, is dull for fourth-graders Billy, Finn, and Dannie. When Elliston's Flying Circus schedules an air show in town, the three are anxious to attend, especially since Finn's mysterious uncle is the star performer. Ross is the family black sheep, but the townspeople are fascinated by his thrilling accounts of the Great War. Then the friends overhear Uncle Ross talking with a pair of rough characters about "cargo" that "the boss" wants and begin to suspect that the flier may not be as heroic as he claims, especially when a federal agent arrives to investigate illegal liquor traffic. On top of everything, one of the railroad company executives is visiting Scenic and Billy is put in charge of entertaining the man's spoiled son. Characterization is standard series fare but there is plenty of action with bootleggers, barnstormers, and breakneck mountain chases. Historical endnotes with period photos add authenticity. The short text and exciting plot will attract young adventure fans, especially reluctant readers.–Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-7. Growing up in a railroad workers camp in Scenic, Washington, in the 1920s, Finn, 11, is thrilled when his uncle arrives as a daredevil stuntman in the local air show. But why does the plane have bullet holes? Is his pilot uncle on the run from brutal bootleggers? Or is he one of them? Finn and his friends must find out. This title in the Cascade Mountain Railroad Mysteries series tells a lively story of kid sleuths at the time of the building of the eight-mile Cascade Tunnel. There are some awkward plot contrivances and over-the-top characterizations, including a rich brat who despises the locals and gets his comeuppance. Even so, the history of the work camp in the mountain town ("men and machines pounded away in the tunnel every minute of every day") is exciting, and the young detectives are as daring as the crooks. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Peachtree Publishers (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561453072
• ISBN-13: 978-1561453078
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,438,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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