Oscar Ogilvie is living with his dad in a house at the end of Lucifer Street, in Cairo, Illinois, when world events change his life forever. The great stock market crash has rippled across the country, and the bank takes over their home—along with all their cherished model trains. Oscar’s dad is forced to head west in search of work, and Oscar must move in with his no-nonsense Aunt Carmen. Only a mysterious drifter who stops by each day for food after school helps alleviate Oscar’s loneliness—until Oscar witnesses a crime so stunning that it catapults him into a miraculous, time-hopping train journey.
Filled with suspense and peppered with witty encounters with Hollywood stars and other bigwigs of history, this captivating novel by Rosemary Wells resonates with imagination, humor, and the magic of a timeless adventure story.
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"A truly enjoyable time-travel book set against the Great Depression. Anyone who loves Lionel trains, American history, and a sort of "back-to-the future" storyline, will enjoy this. "
— Tina (4 out of 5 stars)
" Great book for grades 4-6 set in the Depression Era with time travel aboard a train. "
— Stephanie, 4/3/2011" Wow. I think this is the kind of book where you are like, "What the heck just happened?" I think you also may need to read it twice to understand it. "
— Sarah, 3/9/2011" Historical fiction set during the depression. Lots of stuff about trains. I could not get through it but it would make a good read for train lovers, and any younger kid who likes homespun Americana style historical fiction. Think Garrison Keillor for kids. 3rd grade+ "
— Jennifer, 2/8/2011" Very interesting book on trains, and on time travel. Very well described on the Great Depression. I loved this book and you will to. "
— Eric, 2/4/2011" TIme travel, and a good story, made this a lot of fun. Many historic characters may be lost on kid readers, but was fun for me. "
— Joann, 1/13/2011" This was a book club selection. I liked the concept, but this had a more juvenile feel to it. I feel like things happened and were explained away too quickly for my liking. But I did like all of the talk about trains. I like models. I think a boy would enjoy this story very much. "
— Ann, 12/29/2010" I loved it. Nostalgic heartwarmer looks at 30's depression, train travel, model trains, and time travel. Good holiday read. "
— Peggy, 12/29/2010" compelling fantasy. <br/> <br/>lovely illustrations <br/> <br/>nice blend of real history/people into the plot. "
— M'lissa, 11/15/2010Rosemary Wells has written and/or illustrated more than one hundred books for children, including Following Grandfather, illustrated by Christopher Denise, and On the Blue Comet, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. She lives in upstate New York.
Malcolm Hillgartner is an accomplished actor, writer, and musician. Named an AudioFile Best Voice of 2013 and the recipient of several Earphones Awards, he has narrated over 250 audiobooks.