Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express

by Margaret K. Wetterer

Book Overview

Kate stared at the rickety wooden bridge. There were boards loose on its narrow walkway. There was no railing to hold on to. She was afraid to cross this bridge even in daylight. But she had to cross it now. She had to get to the train station in time to stop the midnight express. When a heavy storm destroyed the bridge over Honey Creek, near Kate Shelley's home in Moingona, Iowa, fifteen-year-old Kate bravely rushed out into the storm, saving the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0876145411
• ISBN13: 9780876145418
• Release Date: August 1990
• Publisher: First Avenue Editions (Tm)
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 0.24 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.2" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 7 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 2 to 5

Customer Reviews

Historical Fiction Book Review - Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express

I read the book Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express. This book is exciting and filled with suspense. The story begins on a girl's family farm that is flooding, near a train trestle that has been destroyed. The girl, Kate Shelley, tries to save two rail workers who have fallen into the river. She realizes that the midnight train with 200 people on board will be coming and that it will fall off the bridge too unless it is warned. I learned some interesting facts. Kate used a lantern to light her way in the storm. When she finally reached the station, a telegraph was used to warn the train. The storm was so bad Kate's lantern blew out and 40 miles of telegraph lines went out. I would recommend this book for three reasons. This is a true story about a courageous girl who lived in the 1800's. The story is exciting and filled with danger. It shows that one person can make a difference. Kate Shelly and the Midnight Express is an amazing book.

Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express

I read Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express for my April book report. I enjoyed this book because it was so exciting and filled with suspense. The story begins on a girl's family farm that is flooding, near a train trestle that has been destroyed. The girl, Kate Shelley, tries to stop a train from falling off the wrecked trestle. This is a true story about a courageous girl who lived in the 1800's. This story is filled with suspense and danger. This is an amazing book.

Excellent for a Bible lesson, too!

This book is a "must have" for your child's collection! Not only is this heroic account a wonderful piece of history, but it is also a very good lesson on the power of prayer. I read it to my 1st-3rd grade Bible class along with scriptures on prayer. My students' attention didn't waver for a moment while I read this book to them.In the story, Kate's mother at first begs her not to attempt to rescue those in a train wreck. Rather than disobey her mother, 15-year-old Kate reasons with her and obtains her permission to go. Her widowed mother promises that their family will be praying for her. Kate then risks her life to save many others. When a tree in the flood waters is just about to collide with the bridge Kate is on, she prays and it is suddenly pulled under the water. Do you suppose Kate succeeds in her mission to save over 200 people? Read this book. You won't be sorry!

Kate Shelly and the Midnight Express

The pictures went along very well with the story. That was a good idea to make the book because it is good to write stories about the past, living in the country and saving people. The book was very good, a little hard, but it was a good story. I understood it very well. My teacher was talking about it. She said it was before WW1.

True story of a young girl who prevented a train wreck

This is a wonderful story about a real-life girl whose personal heroism stopped a train from wrecking on a collapsed bridge. This story was profiled on PBS's "Reading Rainbow" program, hosted by Levar Burton. Actor Brian Dennehy narrated the version on PBS. Kate Shelley was a young girl who lived in a small Iowa farmhouse. Near the house, a railroad line crossed a stream called Honey Creek. One night, there was a terrible storm. Kate and her family heard an engine moving on the line to check the bridge -- but then the bridge collapsed, the engine went down, and the Midnight Express was coming! Kate had to make it to the nearest station, but that was across another bridge.... You will have to read the book to find out the rest for yourself. You and your children will love this book!!