The Railway Children

Edith Nesbit (author)

Puffin Books, UK: 1906; 240pp

ISBN: 9780141321608

Genres: classics, historical fiction, realistic fiction

Issues: change, family, friendship, grief/loss, resilience

Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis have to move to a small cottage in the country when their father is wrongfully accused of theft.

Moving from a comfortable house in London, where they had just about everything that any child needs to grow up happy and healthy is bad enough. But they soon discover that Papa's absence means not only poverty. Mama now has to try and earn their living by writing stories and the children have to start taking responsibility around the house. The railway becomes their saving grace – it provides entertainment (the trains) and company (the station master). Soon they can't remember why they were complaining in the first place – except that Papa still doesn't come home, and their mother gets sick.

This is a novel for any child who loves the old steam trains. Though published ninety years ago, Nesbit's stories are still appealing and her characters attract the reader's loyalty and affection. Most of her novels have become classics of English literature because of the timelessness of her themes and the emotional pull of her narratives and characters.

Same Author: The Story of The Treasure Seekers; The Wouldbegoods; Five Children and It; The Story of the Amulet; The Phoenix and the Carpet