| 9780375870712 |
| 0375870717 |
Available:*
Library | Material Type | Call Number | Shelf Location | Status | Item Holds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Searching... Penrose Library | Children's Book | 388.420974 CORE | Children's-J-Nonfiction | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
Searching... Ruth Holley Library | Children's Book | 388.420974 CORE | Children's-J-Nonfiction | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
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Summary
Summary
From an acclaimed author and a New York Times Best Illustrated artist comes the fascinating, little-known-and true!-story of New York City's first subway.
New York City in the 1860s was a mess- crowded, disgusting, filled with garbage. You see, way back in 1860, there were no subways, just cobblestone streets. That is, until Alfred Ely Beach had the idea for a fan-powered train that would travel underground. On February 26, 1870, after fifty-eight days of drilling and painting and plastering, Beach unveiled his masterpiece-and throngs of visitors took turns swooshing down the track.
The Secret Subway will wow readers, just as Beach's underground train wowed riders over a century ago.
A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids, 2016
Author Notes
Shana Corey has written several picture books, among them Here Come the Girl Scouts!, a New York Times Editors' Choice, and You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer, which the New York Times called "a picture book girls are likely to love." She has always been intrigued by New York City history, so when she came across a passing mention of Alfred Ely Beach's underground train, she wanted to know more. It wasn't long before she was skulking around Warren and Murray Streets, looking for the site of Devlin's department store, and seeking out Boss Tweed's grave in Greenwood Cemetery. Learn more at shanacorey.com.
Red Nose Studio created the art for Here Comes the Garbage Barge! by Jonah Winter, which was selected as a New York Times Best Illustrated Book, a School Library Journal Best Book, and a Huffington Post Best Picture Book of the Year and received four starred reviews, as well as The Beginner's Guide to Running Away from Home by Jennifer LaRue Huget, praised by the Wall Street Journal for its "vivid and arresting illustrations." Visit him at rednosestudio.com.
Reviews (2)
School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-This picture book tells the story of Alfred Ely Beach, whose Beach Pneumatic Transit was an early version of the New York subway, which was eventually abandoned to the shadows of history. The story begins, "Welcome to New York City-the greatest city on earth!" The fervent pace continues throughout. The artwork is intriguing: photographs of puppetlike polymer figures are shown talking while cartoon ideas emanate from their mouths. Often, white text is set on a black background, creating an underground feel. A fact spread is appended, revealing more of Beach's life. Keen artwork combines with inviting language, illuminating an obscure part of New York City's history. VERDICT Perfect for young subway enthusiasts, especially those with an interest in New York City.-Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Corey's absorbing story of New York City's ill-fated first subway provides an ideal venue for the sculptural artistry of Chris Sickels, aka Red Nose Studio. Sickels (The Beginner's Guide to Running Away from Home) crafts stylized clay figures and furnishings with infinite care, then photographs them under dramatic lighting-they could be stills from a movie. In the 1860s, Alfred Ely Beach conceived of an underground train that could be propelled pneumatically. He oversaw the building of a short tunnel, a single car, the machinery to make it move, and a luxurious underground waiting room, complete with a fountain. "Beach's train was a sensation," writes Corey (Here Come the Girl Scouts!). A witty spread shows the car traveling to the right of the page, then back to the left, its momentum causing the wide-eyed, elaborately dressed passengers to sway. Shopkeepers and corrupt city leadership scotched the project, and it was forgotten, but Corey's account sheds light on the way that commonplace institutions are often preceded by false starts, error, and scandal. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Tracey Adams, Adams Literary. Illustrator's agent: Magnet Reps. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
