FICTION

The Secret Subway

by Shana COREY
illus. by Red Nose Studio. 40p. bibliog. websites. Random/Schwartz & Wade. Mar. 2016. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780375870712.
COPY ISBN
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.
Reviewed by Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI
This tour de force tells of nineteenth-century inventor Alfred Ely Beach's solution to New York City's crowded streets: in 1870, he unveiled the first underground train, which went back and forth in a 294-foot tunnel. (Self-serving bigwigs killed Beach's dream of expansion.) The art's sensational 3-D sets are, per the endpapers, created by hand. Bib.
 , Jan 01, 2016

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