The Boundless

The Boundless

By Kenneth Oppel

Will Everett is a passenger on the Boundless.  At more than seven miles long, the Boundless is the longest train in the world.  His father is the engineer and Will is very fortunate to ride on the maiden voyage of this massive machine.  

But Will, left to his own devices while his father works, witnesses a murder.  The perpetrators work on the train and know Will is a witness.  The chase is on as Will tries to make his way to the front of the train to tell his father.  As he passes through the 987 cars he finds allies in Maren, a circus performer, and Mr. Dorian, the ringmaster.  These unusual passengers and their colleagues help to hide Will from the criminals.  

Meanwhile, on board the train there is also a highly secure funeral car containing a treasure that everyone wants.  The motives of many of the train’s passengers are called into question as Will races against time to find his father and foil the criminals.

Fast-paced and full of fun, this adventure novel also touches on some Canadian history.  The story begins in Craigellachie, the historic site of the last spike of the Canadian railroad, and the book is set in the early days of cross-continental train travel.  There’s a bit of Canadian mythology thrown in too, as Will encounters the mysterious Sasquatch living in the forests along his route.

Adventure, mystery, history and myth are all rolled up into the story of The Boundless. A fantastic read!  Grades 4-7.