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Parents' Guide to

The Silver Arrow

By Michael Berry, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Sister and brother steer magic train in whimsical fantasy.

Book Lev Grossman Fantasy 2020
The Silver Arrow Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 7+

Based on 2 parent reviews

jcherry543
jcherry543 Adult
February 15, 2021
age 6+

the silver arrow

i liked it. its the best book i read.
Thowe2
Thowe2 Adult
January 6, 2021
age 7+

Amazing

I am a third grade teacher and picked this book up without any prior knowledge about it. I pre-read it for my class and finished it in one night. I couldn’t put it down. The kids will love to learn facts about the animals as they read and kids love any book about adventure and animals but this particular book is so much more than that face value. It teaches the kids life lessons but in a relatable way where they would want to pay attention and adopt the same values. I took so much from it so adults reading it to children will enjoy it just the same. A wonderfully written book with multiple great messages.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

As THE SILVER ARROW opens, Kate is about to celebrate her 11th birthday with younger brother Tom and their parents, when her mysterious Uncle Herbert arrives. He brings a fabulous gift, a genuine, full-size passenger train christened The Silver Arrow. Against their mother's wishes, Kate and Tom board the train, only for it to leave the station before they can disembark. The Arrow stops eventually, but all the passengers who get on are wild animals, ones that can talk. Kate and Tom must return the animals to their native habitats, where many are on the verge of extinction. Can Katie, Tom, and their animal friends solve the mystery of another missing train and pilot the Silver Arrow to safety?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Tales featuring talking animals have long been favorites, and this pleasantly old-fashioned fantasy features a lively cast of creatures. With The Silver Arrow, Lev Grossman, author of the adult fantasy series The Magicians, celebrates the Narnia books and the adventures of Doctor Doolittle, but with a 21 century spin. "Never give up!" is the one of the central messages of the narrative, as is a call to protect the planet. If those are not the most innovative of themes, they are handled with grace and wit. It's nice to have a stand-alone adventure that fulfills its goals in one volume, without the need for bloated, inconclusive sequels. The plot is frequently suspenseful, but there's little to disturb the reader. The Silver Arrow hits the mark wherever it's aimed!

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how The Silver Arrow promotes perseverance. Why is it important to make goals and stick to them?

  • Why do readers enjoy stories about talking animals? What others do you know? Why are these stories found in cultures around the globe?

  • Why are plants and animals going extinct so rapidly? What can be done to protect them from climate change and other dangers?

Book Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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