The Railway Children
Recommended. Age: 9+. A Catholic review of this book for parents.
Our review
Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis move to a cottage by the railway after their father is taken away. They wave at trains, stop a train from crashing, and save a baby from a burning boat. With the help of an old gentleman, they bring their father home. It is a kind, funny, brave book full of children doing good for others. Age 9, set by Bookroo's 9-12 range and Lumen's own read-alone age (no Common Sense Media book page could be fetched).
For parents
Age 9, set by Bookroo's 9-12 age range, which matches Lumen's read-alone age of 9; no Common Sense Media book page could be fetched. Read it aloud from 7. The sad part is Father's unjust prison sentence, and Mother's illness and the family's money troubles. The dangers (a landslide, a barge fire, a boy hurt in a tunnel) are not graphic in the sources. Good talks: Peter takes coal and is forgiven, so ask why taking it was wrong even when the family was cold. Bobbie keeps a hard secret to protect her mother. The family takes in a refugee. Ask how they treated strangers as Jesus asks us to (Matthew 25).