Kate isn’t expecting anything much for her 11th birthday. Her parents are always working or when they are at home, looking into computers and phone screens. They are hard working and responsible, the opposite of Kate’s Uncle Herbert. According to Kate’s mum, her brother is lazy and irresponsible, but incredibly rich.

Life is pretty boring in Kate’s opinion, so she decides to spice things up a little. She writes a letter:

Dear Uncle Herbert

You’ve never met me but I’m your niece Kate and since it is my birthday and you are super rich do you think you could please send me a present?

Warmly, Kate

Uncle Herbert exceeds her expectations. It seems an odd present, and Kate’s mum is livid, but the 102 tonne steam engine sitting outside their house is definitely for Kate. Uncle Herbert is there too.

The engine is called The Silver Arrow. Kate and her younger brother Tom explore and suddenly the train is moving! Uncle Herbert yells something about magic but it’s too late. It’s already going too fast.

Before long, they learn that The Silver Arrow transports exotic animals around the world, stopping at train stations in all manner of places to collect them. Not only does each bird or animal have a ticket, they actually talk. Kate slots in as the conductor for the train, taking tickets, settling squabbles and with Tom’s help, keeps The Silver Arrow running smoothly.

They travel through mountains, forests, deserts, and even oceans, all the while picking up and dropping off animals on the way who are all looking for new homes. The journey has many exciting challenges, but the reasons for the travel are soon revealed. Kate feels nothing but shame.

There is loss of habitat, risks by introduced predators, shrinking food sources and more. The animals aboard are very matter of fact about it, and Kate instantly realises humankind is the reason they are fleeing their homes.

Her animal friends also say that although humans caused the imbalance, they are clever enough to fix it again. After all, humans are the cleverest animals alive. Kate vows that she will do her best to help – they just have to get home again, and it’s a very, very, long way. Or maybe a different way altogether?

This is the perfect example of not choosing a book by its cover! The flying train on the front doesn’t do the conservation theme inside, justice. Any animal lover will enjoy this tale of two normal kids travelling the world, meeting amazing animals, all with the help of a magical train.

The Silver Arrow has a touch of Doctor Doolittle, a sprinkle of Lion Boy, and a dollop of The Train to Impossible Places.

Magic, fantastic animal facts, adventure, and immensely thought provoking, this story is topical and perfect to place alongside David Attenborough’s latest film A Life on our Planet. (2020) He too talks about balance between Nature and Humankind and how we can fix it.

Although sharing important issues, the narrator talking directly to the reader keeps this story light and fun. With a style similar to David Walliams or Roald Dahl, this story quickly caught my imagination and was informative at the same time. A wonderful mix of facts and magical fiction.

Author – Lev Grossman

Age – 8+

Quick Review

When given a real steam train engine by her rich Uncle, Kate and her younger brother Tom quickly realise it is magic. Their new job is to collect animals from far-flung places and transport them to new homes.

These animals can talk, and are fleeing many effects of humankind. The Silver Arrow is just one of these trains helping to save endangered animals across the world. A wonderful tale of conservation, whilst on a wild magical ride!

If you liked this, you might like:

(Magic, Train, Growing up, Environment, Animals, Action, Adventure, Conservation, Endangered animals, Extinction, Habitat, Courage, World travel, Talking animals, Conflict, Climate Change)