Summer is finally here and with summer comes plenty of free time. The perfect way to spend it? Reading! The NRM Education team has dug into their library and selected a few book recommendations. These books involve train adventures or train history. Even better, the books are going to be for a range of ages, from elementary school up to adults! If you find yourself bored or in need of a good read, follow the NRM blog this summer to see the Education Team’s picks.
First on NRM’s summer reading list is The Railway Children by E. Nesbit. The Railway Children is recommended for fourth through seventh grade reading levels. It is a beloved classic in children’s literature, especially in the U.K. where the story takes place. Three children (Roberta, Peter, and Phyllis) are used to a rich lifestyle when because of a sudden tragedy they move to the countryside. In the countryside the three siblings have to adjust to dramatic lifestyle changes, new people, and the absence of their beloved father.
The Education team recommends this book for several reasons. Each chapter is a new adventure, and each one is fun and suspenseful. The reader feels like they are right beside the children as they explore a canal, climb into a steam locomotive cab, and race across open fields. Trains are a prominent part of the adventures, and the descriptions of steam locomotives and the different railway jobs are accurate and educational. This book is set in the early 1900s; the lifestyles and setting might be different for modern readers. Finally, the overall themes of solving problems, taking care of family and friends, and being kind to others are great lessons for young readers today. The only thing to keep in mind when reading this book is certain sentiments towards women and people from other countries are not necessarily the common thoughts today.
The Railway Children is a great summer read and might work best for a long car ride or a weekend getaway at 273 pages. If you need a local bookstore to purchase your copy, stop by the Train Shed Exhibit Hall and support our museum!
