The Last Rail: The Building of the First Transcontinental Railroad (Smithsonian Odyssey)

All aboard! Children travel back in time when Lucy suddenly transforms into Andrew Russell, the man who took the famous photograph of the golden spike as it was pounded into the last rail of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869. She hears heart-wrenching stories from the railroad workers about the troubles and difficulties in building the first Transcontinental Railroad. In The Last Rail: The Building of the First Transcontinental Railroad, children learn how the building of this railroad changed travel and unified the nation at last. This 32-page, beautifully illustrated book comes with additional information about the Transcontinental Railroad and a glossary of key terms to extend the learning fun!



Book Features:
- Large, colorful illustrations on every page
- An interesting story with historical facts
- 32 pages, including glossary
- Appropriate for Reading Level: Grades 2-4
- Appropriate for Interest Level: 6-12 years
- Hardcover dimensions: 8 1/4 x 10 1/4 inches

Darice Bailer grew up in Rochester, New York with seven siblings and dreamed of becoming a writer. Today, she has written over 3 books for children. Her first book for Soundprints, Puffin's Homecoming: The Story of an Atlantic Puffin, received a 1993 Parent's Choice Award. Also a journalist for many years, she was a frequent contributor to The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Hartford Courant. She currently helps students and teachers at Old Greenwich School in Connecticut.