Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Marvelous magical train saga picks up steam.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
As THE GOLDEN SWIFT opens, it has been months since 11-year-old Kate or her younger brother Tom has ridden on The Silver Arrow, the magical locomotive that travels the world saving animals from extinction. Their mysterious Uncle Herbert has disappeared, leaving behind a trashed apartment and a surly wolverine. Kate and her friends set off in search of another train, the fabled Golden Swift!
Is It Any Good?
Author Lev Grossman continues his magical train saga with a middle volume that ups the ante and takes the narrative in an exciting new direction. Kate and Tom -- and a likable cast of supporting animal characters -- learn a tough lesson about the fragility of the ecosphere, that climate change won't be fixed easily. Readers will again be transported by the book's raucous plot and eagerly await the concluding installment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Golden Swift works as a sequel. Does it make you anxious to read Book 3? Why do readers like multivolume stories?
How has climate change affected the planet? What are resources for people who want to learn more about it?
Why is it difficult for animals to be moved to better, safer locations?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Tracy Nishimura Bishop
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Transportation ( Trains )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Curiosity , Empathy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Little Brown and Company
- Publication date : May 9, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 272
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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