77. A Ribbon of Shining Steel

A Ribbon of Shining Steel: The Railway Diary of Kate Cameron by Julie Lawson
Dear Canada series

Pages: 204
Finished: Apr. 26, 2008
First Published: 2002
Genre: children, historical fiction
Rating: 3/5

First Sentence:

Hell's Gate and Galoshes!

Reason for Reading: I'm reading my way through the series.

Comments: Kate Cameron and her family move to Yale, British Columbia where her father is working on the railroad as a foreman in charge of bridge building. Kate document's in her diary the progress of the railway for the year of 1882. She tells of her worry for her father's safety as workers are injured and killed. We also see the hardships and discriminations against the Chinese workers brought in to build the railroad. Daily life in a small town built for the purposes of the railway workers and their family is brought to life as Kate describes school, picnics, camping, tragedies and triumphs. An engaging story that I enjoyed very much. As usual with this series the book ends with a brief chapter telling what happened in the lives of the major characters, an historical note telling the history behind the story and a section of photos and maps. I really enjoyed looking at the photos at the end. A compelling book from an award winning and nominated author.