Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express (On My Own Books) [Library Binding]

Margaret K. Wetterer (Author), Karen Ritz (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1990 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: On My Own Books

Fifteen-year-old Kate risks her life in a storm to prevent a train disaster.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-- A vivid recounting of a true story of a young girl in 1881 Iowa, told in the format and style of an easy reader. Through her courageous actions, Kate Shelley was able to save the lives of two men when a railroad bridge was washed out, plus the lives of 200 others speeding toward the broken bridge on an express train. The language is simple, yet its terseness conveys the danger and excitement of the incident. Ritz's dark, soft-edged paintings convey the emotional drama as Kate struggles through the storm to the bridge. This is a wonderful bit of history brought to life to share with young readers. No dullness here--it's a page-turner. --Judith Gloyer, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Library Binding: 56 pages
• Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (September 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876144253
• ISBN-13: 978-0876144251
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,391,106 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True story of a young girl who prevented a train wreck, February 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express (On My Own History) (Paperback)

This is a wonderful story about a real-life girl whose personal heroism stopped a train from wrecking on a collapsed bridge. This story was profiled on PBS's "Reading Rainbow" program, hosted by Levar Burton. Actor Brian Dennehy narrated the version on PBS. Kate Shelley was a young girl who lived in a small Iowa farmhouse. Near the house, a railroad line crossed a stream called Honey Creek. One night, there was a terrible storm. Kate and her family heard an engine moving on the line to check the bridge -- but then the bridge collapsed, the engine went down, and the Midnight Express was coming! Kate had to make it to the nearest station, but that was across another bridge.... You will have to read the book to find out the rest for yourself. You and your children will love this book!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kate Shelly and the Midnight Express, January 17, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express (On My Own History) (Paperback)

The pictures went along very well with the story. That was a good idea to make the book because it is good to write stories about the past, living in the country and saving people. The book was very good, a little hard, but it was a good story. I understood it very well. My teacher was talking about it. She said it was before WW1.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for a Bible lesson, too!, April 12, 2001

By 

SteadfastOne (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express (On My Own History) (Paperback)

This book is a "must have" for your child's collection! Not only is this heroic account a wonderful piece of history, but it is also a very good lesson on the power of prayer. I read it to my 1st-3rd grade Bible class along with scriptures on prayer. My students' attention didn't waver for a moment while I read this book to them.

In the story, Kate's mother at first begs her not to attempt to rescue those in a train wreck. Rather than disobey her mother, 15-year-old Kate reasons with her and obtains her permission to go. Her widowed mother promises that their family will be praying for her. Kate then risks her life to save many others. When a tree in the flood waters is just about to collide with the bridge Kate is on, she prays and it is suddenly pulled under the water. Do you suppose Kate succeeds in her mission to save over 200 people? Read this book. You won't be sorry!