Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Sep 2010
336 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication Information
One day in a house at the end of Lucifer Street, on the Mississippi River side of Cairo, Illinois, eleven-year-old Oscar Ogilvie’s life is changed forever. The Crash of 1929 has rippled across the country, and Oscar’s dad must sell their home - with all their cherished model trains - and head west in search of work.
Forced to move in with his humorless aunt, Carmen and his teasing cousin, Willa Sue, Oscar is lonely and miserable - until he meets a mysterious drifter and witnesses a crime so stunning it catapults Oscar on an incredible train journey from coast to coast, from one decade to another.
Filled with suspense and peppered with witty encounters with Hollywood stars and other bigwigs of history, this captivating novel by Rosemary Wells, gorgeously illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline, resonates with warmth, humor, and the true magic of a timeless adventure.
"Starred Review. Ibatouilline's full-color, atmospheric Norman Rockwell–like vignettes enhance the nostalgic feel of this warm, cleverly crafted adventure. Historical fiction/time travel, 11+" - Kirkus
"The plot’s Twilight Zone potential...is not thoroughly plumbed, and one wonders at the appeal of such a retro story. Grades 5-8." - Booklist
"The sheer beauty of this winning book will attract many readers; the magic of the story and its likable protagonist will hook them. Grades 4-7." - Library Journal
This information about On the Blue Comet was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Rosemary Wells has written or illustrated more than 120 books for children and has received numerous awards.
Bagram Ibatoulline has illustrated many acclaimed books for children, including The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.
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