From Publishers Weekly
For this short history of trains, O'Brien (Gigantic! How Big Were the Dinosaurs?) brings a fictional overlay to a fact-filled presentation. The child narrator comes from a long dynasty of train engineers. Starting with his father (who drives a giant locomotive) and working his way back to his great-great-great-great-great-grandfather ("one of the very first people ever to drive a train in this country"), the narrator describes the generations both of his family and of trains. Both the text and the watercolor-and-gouache illustrations are generous with details, explaining how different types of engines work and identifying specific parts of various trains. Anecdotes dot the narrative. For example, in the 1960s the boy's grandfather hauls a circus train up from Florida; in the 1870s Jesse James and his gang stage a hold-up of the great-great-great-grandfather's train. But the storytelling isn't vivid enough to overcome the limitations of the mannered structureAonly railroad aficionados are likely to hop aboard. Ages 4-9. (July) EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING Anne Mazer. Scholastic, $4.50 paper (144p) ISBN 0-439-14977-0 ~ Mazer (The Fixits) introduces a spunky and appealing heroine in this inaugural volume of The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes: sheAand her daysAare more average than amazing. This is, in fact, the bee in Abby's bonnet. Her three "SuperSibs" outshine her. One of her older twin sisters excels at virtually every sport, the other is the top student in ninth grade, and her younger brother is a math and computer genius. Her lawyer mother also runs marathons, and her father owns a successful computer business. Where does this leave poor Abby? Feeling "small and insignificant," yet determined to prove "that she was deserving of being a Hayes, too." At the start of her fifth-grade year, Abby resolves to make her mark by becoming a soccer star by the end of the fall season. Documented largely through the journal writings of this devoted young writer, Abby's quest to reach this goal, as well as her frustration with her accomplished siblings, makes for repetitious reading at times. But Mazer injects some moments of sophisticated, wry humor (e.g., a Bridget Jones-like journal entry in which the allegedly newly reformed heroine notes, "Went home and ate plate of cookies to celebrate decision to turn self into great athlete"). In the end, Abby's real talents outshine those to which she aspires. Abby may well score enough points with readers that they'll ride out this tale's pleasures and faults, and move on to her next caper, The Declaration of Independence, also due this month. Ages 8-12. (July) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
In a style that is reminiscent of the Amelia books by Marissa Moss, this offers the innermost thoughts of Abby Hayes as she looks for a way to shine in her family of superstars. Told through prose, journal entries, and line drawings, the story follows Abby as she tries to make her mark in soccer, though she has little natural talent or inclination. Meanwhile, she is oblivious to her her true calling--writing--until a piece she writes on soccer is printed in the local newspaper. The first in a series, this covers some well-traveled ground, but the format, the realistic happenings, and the upbeat ending make it appealing fare. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
Abby Hayes is a fun and quirky fifth grader looking to find her own "super-special" talent. Squeezed between two outstanding older siblings and her protege brother, Abby is determined to make her mark. She takes solace in the words of inspiration from the 73 calendars she has in her room, and records the quotes in her purple notebook. Kids will love Abby's humorous and hip approach to everyday issues.

SYNOPSIS

Abby Hayes is a fun and quirky fifth grader looking to find her own "super-special" talent. Squeezed between two outstanding older siblings and her protege brother, Abby is determined to make her mark. She takes solace in the words of inspiration from the 73 calendars she has in her room, and records the quotes in her purple notebook. Kids will love Abby's humorous and hip approach to everyday issues.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly