Subway Story, Julia Sarcone-Roach, Alfred A. Knopf, 2011
Format: Picture Book
Rating: 1-5 (5 is excellent or a Starred review) 4
Genre: Picture Book
What did you like about the book? This is a wonderful story about the “life” of a subway car from its beginning on the New York City subway to its final life as part of an artificial reef. Children will enjoy seeing through the “eyes” of Jessie from her favorite curve on the track where “She would speed up for the curve and then zip down with a SKREEET! Of sparks shooting off her wheels” to her new life on the ocean floor. The ending is a wonderful summary of the story: “Jessie was wonce and important part of the city where she lived. And now a whole city lives inside her.” A well told story about recycling and the environment that is far from didactic. It includes an Author’s Note that gives much more information about the subway cars and the artificial reef.
What didn’t you like about the book? Nothing
To whom would you recommend this book? This would be a great book for fans of the Thomas the Tank engine stories as well as anyone interested in trains, New York, and recycling. It is reminiscent of Katy and the Big Snow and Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel.
Who should buy this book? Public and elementary school libraries
Where would you shelve it and why? Picture Books
Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles?
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Catherine Coyne, The Ames Free Library, Easton
Date of review: 7/9/12
