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HISTORY’S MYSTERIES: THE CHOCOLATE TRAIN WRECK BY DONNA L. MARTIN
When approaching the Children’s book, History’s Mysteries: The Chocolate Train Wreck by Donna L. Martin, one should not be misled by her description invoking time travel. There is no time travel here. The events described are based on true events from the past, and that does lend added interest to the tale. But if you and your child are expecting adventurous time-hopping, you will be disappointed. That said, this story about a train wreck that caused copious amounts of chocolate candy to rain down on the village of Hamilton, NY in 1955 offers appealingly cute characters, some truly mysterious situations, and a secret ingredient when making Grandma’s tasty chocolate chip cookies. With a warning not to tell the boys. (They are unable to keep such secrets.)
In The Chocolate Train Wreck (Suggested for 4th to 6th graders) Donna L. Martin offers up a speculative tale regarding this strange historical event as witnessed through the eyes of a young girl, Abigail, and her best friend, Nathan. Abigail documents her local adventures by way of letters she writes to her deceased grandmother – including all the ways she tries (and sometimes fails) to keep her Grandma’s guiding words alive. Like not telling secrets to the boys. (She fails.) Abigail is a would-be Nancy Drew, who with Nathan attempts to solve the case of The Chocolate Train Wreck. Included are some rather cool sketches provided by Amelia Earmouse (apparently the aforementioned Time Traveler who first “discovered” this historical event.) The book concludes with some additional activities like discussion questions, a word game, some actual photos, and suggested reading. Not to mention a cookie recipe. All fun for the young.
D. MARTIN
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