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Tracks
Can the railroad that is uniting America bridge the gap between two boys from different backgrounds?
Shortly after the Civil War, Malachy laces on his father’s boots and travels to the American West to work on the transcontinental railroad that will unite the country. In addition to the challenge of the physically grueling work, Malachy also has to adjust to working with Chinese men and boys, whom he views with suspicion and contempt. Despite everything, Malachy gets by with his love for his fierce new dog, Brina, and Blind Thomas, the most hardworking and loyal railroad horse around.
But after a Chinese boy is blamed for stealing a bag of coins, Malachy begins to reconsider his prejudices—because Malachy is the real thief, and his conscience is uneasy. He begins to notice the many ways in which the Chinese workers are mistreated. And when real danger threatens, Malachy needs to find the courage to step up and do what’s right.
Diane Lee Wilson’s atmospheric writing vividly depicts the western landscape of America in the 1860s, bringing readers alongside Malachy—and his beloved horse and dog—as he navigates a bumpy moral terrain, and discovers a friendship he never knew was possible.
Shortly after the Civil War, Malachy laces on his father’s boots and travels to the American West to work on the transcontinental railroad that will unite the country. In addition to the challenge of the physically grueling work, Malachy also has to adjust to working with Chinese men and boys, whom he views with suspicion and contempt. Despite everything, Malachy gets by with his love for his fierce new dog, Brina, and Blind Thomas, the most hardworking and loyal railroad horse around.
But after a Chinese boy is blamed for stealing a bag of coins, Malachy begins to reconsider his prejudices—because Malachy is the real thief, and his conscience is uneasy. He begins to notice the many ways in which the Chinese workers are mistreated. And when real danger threatens, Malachy needs to find the courage to step up and do what’s right.
Diane Lee Wilson’s atmospheric writing vividly depicts the western landscape of America in the 1860s, bringing readers alongside Malachy—and his beloved horse and dog—as he navigates a bumpy moral terrain, and discovers a friendship he never knew was possible.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published April 3, 2012
6 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Diane Lee Wilson
6 books32 followersDiane Lee Wilson has always ridden horses and has an extensive collection of horse books in her home in Escondido, California. She is the author of Black Storm Comin', a Booklist Editors' Choice, a VOYA Top Shelf Fiction Pick, and a Book Links Lasting Connection, and Firehorse, which received a starred review in Booklist, is a Booklist Top Ten Mystery/Suspense for Youth, and a winner of the ALA Amelia Bloomer Project.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 20, 2012
TRACKS by Diane Lee Wilson, Margaret K. McElderry Books, April 2012, 288p., ISBN: 978-1-4424-2013-7
"Then, out of the blue he asked, 'How much you get pay?'
"Huh? My pay was none of his business. Yet my pride spit out an answer: 'Thirty-five a month.'
"That figure seemed to stab him, because he twisted his face up. Brina nuzzled his pajama pants, begging for more attention, but this time he ignored her.
"'You walk out, in, out, in'--he made little scissor movements with his fingers, like they were a man's legs--'no hands dirty and company give you thirty-five?' He opened his palm, moved the coins aside and pointed to the huge yellow calluses at the base of each finger, the juice-like blister on his thumb, the grimed creases lining his flesh. 'I hold black powder...drirr'--drill, in his clumsy accent--'...hammer. All can kirr me. I get only thirty-one for pay.' At this pronouncement I saw the midnight fire in his narrow eyes. 'Why?'
"My answer to that was an indifferent shrug. Black powder was dangerous, and it could kill. But he was a coolie. What did he expect?"
"Visible remains of the historic [railroad] line are still easily located--hundreds of miles are still in service today, especially through the Sierra Nevada Mountains and canyons in Utah and Wyoming. While the original rail has long since been replaced because of age and wear, and the roadbed upgraded and repaired, the lines generally run on top of the original, handmade grade. Vista points on Interstate 80 through California's Truckee Canyon provide a panoramic view of many miles of the original Central Pacific line..."
--Wikipedia, "First Transcontinental Railroad"
When driving Interstate 80 up in the Sierras during the winter months, chains on the tires, salt and sand on the road, observing the snow piled on the snow sheds, watching a train steadily heading up the tracks through this still-wild terrain, it is almost unimaginable to consider the monumental effort involved in carving those handmade grades through granite mountains and high, wild plains almost 150 years ago.
Told from the perspective of an Irish-accented, New York native youngster, Malachy Gormley -- a boy who sets out for California at age thirteen to work on the Central Pacific's construction of the westernmost section of the first transcontinental railroad -- Diane Lee Wilson's TRACKS is powerful storytelling about this historical engineering feat. It is also powerful storytelling about the manner in which Chinese and Chinese-American workers were treated and cheated during these years. In fact, I'm still thinking about which is more mind-blowing: the amazing construction or the amazing prejudice and mistreatment.
The bottom line for me:
We are totally and intimately immersed in Malachy's struggles as part of this "grand enterprise" for a span of two and one-half years. We come to know all sorts of stories and details about many of the workers, a few of the bosses, the awesome dog Malachy adopts from the streets in Sacramento, and the amazingly heroic horse, Blind Thomas, who I can very much smell and touch after 288 pages.
But after 288 pages covering two and one-half years (late 1866 through May 1869), we only even learn the name of one of the dozens of Chinese workers with whom Malachy works on a daily basis. One!
Does this reveal a problem with the author's storytelling?
On the contrary, this is arguably the most powerful aspect of the story, the author's showing (rather than telling) how Malachy and all of the other white guys see the Chinese as if they are a line of anonymous creatures wearing weird clothes, eating weird food, and talking a weird gibberish. To the white characters there is absolutely no individualization of the Chinese workers and this is subtly hammered home in scene after scene. The only Chinese worker we come to know a tiny bit is Chun Kwok Keung, who Malachy refers to as "Ducks," and only because he is the nail who sticks up out of all the Chinese workers. (He is the one who will save Malachy's undeserving hide time and again.)
TRACKS is also a powerful coming of age story. It is important to remember that it takes place from the time when Malachy is thirteen until he is fifteen or sixteen. Given the extent of Malachy's moral failures and bad behaviors, he wouldn't at all be a sympathetic character had he not been a boy amongst grownups. He might be big and strong, but that's what he is. Nevertheless, there are times in the story when it is difficult to not see him as utterly despicable -- until I think about being in his shoes when I was that age.
"I glanced past the edge, and a sick realization kicked my gut. The snow slide had also swept over and obliterated the Chinamen's winter burrows. The men sleeping there had had no wooden structure, however flimsy, for protection, and the torrent of snow had obviously crushed them where they lay. There wasn't a solitary sign of them now, not a flailing hand, not a pigtail, not a snow-tossed teacup."
Here in California, TRACKS will serve double-duty as an exciting piece of historical fiction worthy of supplementing both the California history and United State history curricula. We meet a number of true-life historical characters. And that horse Blind Thomas (who might have been real -- see the author’s notes) is an absolute heartbreaker. But, most of all, we learn about an important underside of our history that cannot be done justice by some sterile textbook passage and that very much relates to how certain groups are perceived here in the twenty-first century.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_...
http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/people/facult...
"Then, out of the blue he asked, 'How much you get pay?'
"Huh? My pay was none of his business. Yet my pride spit out an answer: 'Thirty-five a month.'
"That figure seemed to stab him, because he twisted his face up. Brina nuzzled his pajama pants, begging for more attention, but this time he ignored her.
"'You walk out, in, out, in'--he made little scissor movements with his fingers, like they were a man's legs--'no hands dirty and company give you thirty-five?' He opened his palm, moved the coins aside and pointed to the huge yellow calluses at the base of each finger, the juice-like blister on his thumb, the grimed creases lining his flesh. 'I hold black powder...drirr'--drill, in his clumsy accent--'...hammer. All can kirr me. I get only thirty-one for pay.' At this pronouncement I saw the midnight fire in his narrow eyes. 'Why?'
"My answer to that was an indifferent shrug. Black powder was dangerous, and it could kill. But he was a coolie. What did he expect?"
"Visible remains of the historic [railroad] line are still easily located--hundreds of miles are still in service today, especially through the Sierra Nevada Mountains and canyons in Utah and Wyoming. While the original rail has long since been replaced because of age and wear, and the roadbed upgraded and repaired, the lines generally run on top of the original, handmade grade. Vista points on Interstate 80 through California's Truckee Canyon provide a panoramic view of many miles of the original Central Pacific line..."
--Wikipedia, "First Transcontinental Railroad"
When driving Interstate 80 up in the Sierras during the winter months, chains on the tires, salt and sand on the road, observing the snow piled on the snow sheds, watching a train steadily heading up the tracks through this still-wild terrain, it is almost unimaginable to consider the monumental effort involved in carving those handmade grades through granite mountains and high, wild plains almost 150 years ago.
Told from the perspective of an Irish-accented, New York native youngster, Malachy Gormley -- a boy who sets out for California at age thirteen to work on the Central Pacific's construction of the westernmost section of the first transcontinental railroad -- Diane Lee Wilson's TRACKS is powerful storytelling about this historical engineering feat. It is also powerful storytelling about the manner in which Chinese and Chinese-American workers were treated and cheated during these years. In fact, I'm still thinking about which is more mind-blowing: the amazing construction or the amazing prejudice and mistreatment.
The bottom line for me:
We are totally and intimately immersed in Malachy's struggles as part of this "grand enterprise" for a span of two and one-half years. We come to know all sorts of stories and details about many of the workers, a few of the bosses, the awesome dog Malachy adopts from the streets in Sacramento, and the amazingly heroic horse, Blind Thomas, who I can very much smell and touch after 288 pages.
But after 288 pages covering two and one-half years (late 1866 through May 1869), we only even learn the name of one of the dozens of Chinese workers with whom Malachy works on a daily basis. One!
Does this reveal a problem with the author's storytelling?
On the contrary, this is arguably the most powerful aspect of the story, the author's showing (rather than telling) how Malachy and all of the other white guys see the Chinese as if they are a line of anonymous creatures wearing weird clothes, eating weird food, and talking a weird gibberish. To the white characters there is absolutely no individualization of the Chinese workers and this is subtly hammered home in scene after scene. The only Chinese worker we come to know a tiny bit is Chun Kwok Keung, who Malachy refers to as "Ducks," and only because he is the nail who sticks up out of all the Chinese workers. (He is the one who will save Malachy's undeserving hide time and again.)
TRACKS is also a powerful coming of age story. It is important to remember that it takes place from the time when Malachy is thirteen until he is fifteen or sixteen. Given the extent of Malachy's moral failures and bad behaviors, he wouldn't at all be a sympathetic character had he not been a boy amongst grownups. He might be big and strong, but that's what he is. Nevertheless, there are times in the story when it is difficult to not see him as utterly despicable -- until I think about being in his shoes when I was that age.
"I glanced past the edge, and a sick realization kicked my gut. The snow slide had also swept over and obliterated the Chinamen's winter burrows. The men sleeping there had had no wooden structure, however flimsy, for protection, and the torrent of snow had obviously crushed them where they lay. There wasn't a solitary sign of them now, not a flailing hand, not a pigtail, not a snow-tossed teacup."
Here in California, TRACKS will serve double-duty as an exciting piece of historical fiction worthy of supplementing both the California history and United State history curricula. We meet a number of true-life historical characters. And that horse Blind Thomas (who might have been real -- see the author’s notes) is an absolute heartbreaker. But, most of all, we learn about an important underside of our history that cannot be done justice by some sterile textbook passage and that very much relates to how certain groups are perceived here in the twenty-first century.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_...
http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/people/facult...
February 7, 2015
I enjoyed the author's ability to write in the voice and thoughts of a boy. It's a skill that not every author has; especially with a middle grade chapter book. This skill is demonstrated by Diane Lee Wilson in her descriptions of Malachy's face getting hot when his desire is to take to fists to solving problems; when she describes how his father taught him how to fight; and as he reflects on his mother and family in New York city. Wilson brings the right balance of objectivity, thought and sentimentality to each situation.
I also enjoyed the tackling of the subject of preconceived prejudices with another race/nationality. We are given some insight into how the country viewed Irish at the late 1800s as lazy and no good. We also see the attitudes of these men, including the Irish toward their Chinese counter parts. Wilson writes in the notes that determining how harsh to get with language and slurs is a balance of blending how people would really think and speak in that time with a softening of a 21st century "hopefulness" to the language and slurs. This another balance that she achieved well in 'Tracks.'
I like that Malachy is a flawed character. Unlike other books that deal with prejudice, Malachy has some himself toward the Chinese. His attitude isn't as extreme as the others, but I was glad to see that Malachy wasn't the stock stand in white savior; the one who believes from the beginning that we are all created equal, whom we often find in these books. This allowed us as the audience to more fully experience the type of prejudice mind-set of the time and we get to see Malachy grow some over the course of the book.
The historical time-fame of the book is a plus as well. Wilson gives us a good idea of what it was like to work on the railroad with out the romanticism that we look back at it with from the 21st century.
The only two flaws that found with 'Tracks' was the descriptions that tried to be too much like poetry and the neat pat ending -- SPOILER ALERT BELOW.
The beginning of 'Tracks' is filled with paragraphs that's describe in similes and metaphors that are meant to provide a fuller picture of what was happening, but detract from the story. These descriptions are too much like poetry vs. historical fiction and they pull you out of the scene taking place.
The final aspect of the story that knocked it down a star was the pat ending. One of the main characters is presumed dead based on the action that takes place, but you find out that said character is really alive. No explanation is given for his escape and it feels too much like the author wanted to end the story with less mess and guilt for Malachy and the audience. This twist at the end takes away the impact of the moral of the story and transformation of Malachy with regard to his prejudices.
I also enjoyed the tackling of the subject of preconceived prejudices with another race/nationality. We are given some insight into how the country viewed Irish at the late 1800s as lazy and no good. We also see the attitudes of these men, including the Irish toward their Chinese counter parts. Wilson writes in the notes that determining how harsh to get with language and slurs is a balance of blending how people would really think and speak in that time with a softening of a 21st century "hopefulness" to the language and slurs. This another balance that she achieved well in 'Tracks.'
I like that Malachy is a flawed character. Unlike other books that deal with prejudice, Malachy has some himself toward the Chinese. His attitude isn't as extreme as the others, but I was glad to see that Malachy wasn't the stock stand in white savior; the one who believes from the beginning that we are all created equal, whom we often find in these books. This allowed us as the audience to more fully experience the type of prejudice mind-set of the time and we get to see Malachy grow some over the course of the book.
The historical time-fame of the book is a plus as well. Wilson gives us a good idea of what it was like to work on the railroad with out the romanticism that we look back at it with from the 21st century.
The only two flaws that found with 'Tracks' was the descriptions that tried to be too much like poetry and the neat pat ending -- SPOILER ALERT BELOW.
The beginning of 'Tracks' is filled with paragraphs that's describe in similes and metaphors that are meant to provide a fuller picture of what was happening, but detract from the story. These descriptions are too much like poetry vs. historical fiction and they pull you out of the scene taking place.
The final aspect of the story that knocked it down a star was the pat ending. One of the main characters is presumed dead based on the action that takes place, but you find out that said character is really alive. No explanation is given for his escape and it feels too much like the author wanted to end the story with less mess and guilt for Malachy and the audience. This twist at the end takes away the impact of the moral of the story and transformation of Malachy with regard to his prejudices.
October 24, 2012
I'm having a little trouble deciding just how I feel about this book. I think that it's very strengths are what make me feel a little ambivalent: Tracks is historically accurate in its depiction of the prejudice and cruelty of many of the people of the time all too well--and the main character doesn't escape his time.
It is 1866, and 13-year-old Malachy has signed on and come west from New York to work on the Transcontinental Railroad. He's big for his age, and is the man of the family since his father died in the Civil War, so he needs to make some money. Certainly Malachy thinks he's a man, but his decisions aren't always rational, and his judgement is poor in certain areas. His connection, and ours, to the family back home seems tenuous at best.
Nonetheless, Malachy sticks it out through the winter, even though it means working as the only white man with a crew of Chinese laborers. From the beginning, Malachy, like most in his time, has viewed the Chinese with fear, suspicion, and contempt. He mocks their language, their clothes, and their customs. At the same time, he is drawn to them (their food certainly smells better than that the railroad provides for the Irish workers), especially one young man he calls "Ducks," due to both the way the language sounds to him and his own inability to pronounce the man's Chinese name.
As the book unfolds, Malachy and "Ducks" keep crossing paths. . . and Malachy meets offers of friendship and life-saving actions with suspicion, contempt, and ill-treatment. This is what was hard for me. It's realistic. . . but it doesn't make Malachy a completely likeable character. Without including any spoilers, he does some other things that are pretty unlikable, too, though to his credit he regrets them, at least at little.
On the other hand, Wilson manages to make us feel Malachy's confusion and reluctant regret just enough that we don't hate him. I just want him to grow up and get a clearer vision (a clearer vision, I must add, than any of the adults around him seem to have). The only friendships Malachy seems to have that are untainted by one player using the other are those with animals. In the end, it is the way he treats the horse, Blind Thomas, that makes me feel the boy might be worth letting grow up.
Tracks isn't a happy romp through history. But in the end, I think the story works well, both as a story and as a documentation of a key moment in the development of our nation. The writing is strong, plotting clear.
It is 1866, and 13-year-old Malachy has signed on and come west from New York to work on the Transcontinental Railroad. He's big for his age, and is the man of the family since his father died in the Civil War, so he needs to make some money. Certainly Malachy thinks he's a man, but his decisions aren't always rational, and his judgement is poor in certain areas. His connection, and ours, to the family back home seems tenuous at best.
Nonetheless, Malachy sticks it out through the winter, even though it means working as the only white man with a crew of Chinese laborers. From the beginning, Malachy, like most in his time, has viewed the Chinese with fear, suspicion, and contempt. He mocks their language, their clothes, and their customs. At the same time, he is drawn to them (their food certainly smells better than that the railroad provides for the Irish workers), especially one young man he calls "Ducks," due to both the way the language sounds to him and his own inability to pronounce the man's Chinese name.
As the book unfolds, Malachy and "Ducks" keep crossing paths. . . and Malachy meets offers of friendship and life-saving actions with suspicion, contempt, and ill-treatment. This is what was hard for me. It's realistic. . . but it doesn't make Malachy a completely likeable character. Without including any spoilers, he does some other things that are pretty unlikable, too, though to his credit he regrets them, at least at little.
On the other hand, Wilson manages to make us feel Malachy's confusion and reluctant regret just enough that we don't hate him. I just want him to grow up and get a clearer vision (a clearer vision, I must add, than any of the adults around him seem to have). The only friendships Malachy seems to have that are untainted by one player using the other are those with animals. In the end, it is the way he treats the horse, Blind Thomas, that makes me feel the boy might be worth letting grow up.
Tracks isn't a happy romp through history. But in the end, I think the story works well, both as a story and as a documentation of a key moment in the development of our nation. The writing is strong, plotting clear.
April 7, 2012
This is a pretty decent historical novel. It was interesting to see the construction of the transcontinental railroad from the point of view of one of the workers--how they lived, what they ate, what their work was like, etc. There were a lot of great anecdotes about the events leading up to Promontory Point. I would have liked a little more detail about how the actual work was done, but then, I'm not the target demographic of this book. For YAs, maybe less detail is better.
The main character is a little hard to like. You're kind of not surprised that his only friends are a dog and a blind horse. I kept forgetting that he was supposed to be 13 because all of the other characters are older than him, and treat him like one of them. So I guess I was expecting more of him and kept getting exasperated when he gambled away all of his pay or bought his mom extravagant gifts instead of sending home money like she'd asked. He's also persistently racist. I mean, he's kind of trying not to be, but doesn't really understand things like the Chinese deserving to be paid at least as much as him. The author points out in her afterword that she tried to write him realistically as a member of the population he is part of, and it's true that most people were racist. It just got jarring to see on every page references to "cat-like" eyes, expressionless grimaces, the Chinese's "feminine" qualities, and of course the inevitable use of "inscrutable" (this, from a fellow Chinese). And this kid is himself second-generation Irish, and has to deal with racism from others. He does eventually come to realize that he was wrong about thinking these things, but it would be nice if he'd figured that out BEFORE 20 pages before the end of the book. His change of heart doesn't seem very convincing, especially how the guy he's hated for most of the book not only forgives him for wronging him, but they then decide they are friends and should start a farm together. The ending just doesn't seem consistent with what has come before. The book was too realistic for the ending not to be similarly realistic, if that makes sense. I think I would have liked this book better written from the perspective of the Chinese workers.
The main character is a little hard to like. You're kind of not surprised that his only friends are a dog and a blind horse. I kept forgetting that he was supposed to be 13 because all of the other characters are older than him, and treat him like one of them. So I guess I was expecting more of him and kept getting exasperated when he gambled away all of his pay or bought his mom extravagant gifts instead of sending home money like she'd asked. He's also persistently racist. I mean, he's kind of trying not to be, but doesn't really understand things like the Chinese deserving to be paid at least as much as him. The author points out in her afterword that she tried to write him realistically as a member of the population he is part of, and it's true that most people were racist. It just got jarring to see on every page references to "cat-like" eyes, expressionless grimaces, the Chinese's "feminine" qualities, and of course the inevitable use of "inscrutable" (this, from a fellow Chinese). And this kid is himself second-generation Irish, and has to deal with racism from others. He does eventually come to realize that he was wrong about thinking these things, but it would be nice if he'd figured that out BEFORE 20 pages before the end of the book. His change of heart doesn't seem very convincing, especially how the guy he's hated for most of the book not only forgives him for wronging him, but they then decide they are friends and should start a farm together. The ending just doesn't seem consistent with what has come before. The book was too realistic for the ending not to be similarly realistic, if that makes sense. I think I would have liked this book better written from the perspective of the Chinese workers.
March 12, 2012
The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad was one of the most important events in American history, but it's not one that has a particularly prominent place in the national psyche. One way in which this can be seen is the relative dearth of books that use that setting. It's refreshing to see a children's book make use of this chapter in history, and so I was excited to start reading Diane Lee Wilson's Tracks, which follows a youth named Malachy as he labors laying the rails.
However, I'll be honest and say that I found the book disappointing. The plot was too episodic to generate any momentum; for much of the book, it felt like it was simply ticking off historical events (an avalanche that killed several Chinese workers, the setting of the record for most track laid in a day, the events at the Maiden's Grave) without using them in the service of the overarching narrative. Malachy is reasonably well-defined, and Ducks isn't completely flat, but the other characters in the book rarely have more than one personality trait.
I also felt like the book's anti-racism message was very heavy-handed. The themes of discrimination against the Irish, and to a much greater extent, against the Chinese, seemed to me to be told much more than shown -- especially since so much of it was voiced by characters of little depth. It's perfectly possible to write an excellent novel that says something about problematic race relations -- think To Kill a Mockingbird, or The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, or One Crazy Summer. But the reasons those books work is that we care about the characters, and they are involved in a story that is interesting as a story.
Now, it's important to recognize one's own biases, and I know, as a reviewer, that I'm very sensitive, maybe oversensitive, to didacticism. But I believe that, in terms of art, to simply possess a valuable or noble message isn't enough to make a work great, or even good. Plenty of terrible art espouses wonderful values. Great art requires one to work one's values into a compelling story, beautiful prose, nuanced characters -- something larger than a simple declaration of belief. And that is where, in my opinion, Tracks doesn't succeed.
However, I'll be honest and say that I found the book disappointing. The plot was too episodic to generate any momentum; for much of the book, it felt like it was simply ticking off historical events (an avalanche that killed several Chinese workers, the setting of the record for most track laid in a day, the events at the Maiden's Grave) without using them in the service of the overarching narrative. Malachy is reasonably well-defined, and Ducks isn't completely flat, but the other characters in the book rarely have more than one personality trait.
I also felt like the book's anti-racism message was very heavy-handed. The themes of discrimination against the Irish, and to a much greater extent, against the Chinese, seemed to me to be told much more than shown -- especially since so much of it was voiced by characters of little depth. It's perfectly possible to write an excellent novel that says something about problematic race relations -- think To Kill a Mockingbird, or The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, or One Crazy Summer. But the reasons those books work is that we care about the characters, and they are involved in a story that is interesting as a story.
Now, it's important to recognize one's own biases, and I know, as a reviewer, that I'm very sensitive, maybe oversensitive, to didacticism. But I believe that, in terms of art, to simply possess a valuable or noble message isn't enough to make a work great, or even good. Plenty of terrible art espouses wonderful values. Great art requires one to work one's values into a compelling story, beautiful prose, nuanced characters -- something larger than a simple declaration of belief. And that is where, in my opinion, Tracks doesn't succeed.
September 30, 2018
Very well researched as to the building of the Transcontinental Railroad and its workers. I've done a lot of research myself this year on the topic in preparation for the 150th anniversary, and found the book to be spot on. For some reason, however, it sort of dragged. I guess I would have liked a little more depth of some of the characters. For example, the family back home just seemed like a burden; perhaps a few more tender memories would have been helpful. Also, a bit more lead up to either the ten mile day or the May 10th ceremony would have helped move the story along as would have a more action suggesting cover. However, for the more dedicated students, a great read with accurate portrayals of the people and places that made up that part of our history.
March 29, 2018
Least favorite of Wilson's books. Was good, but love all of her others.
February 7, 2023
Kids book of Historical Fiction. Well written, well researched, interesting.
February 14, 2013
In order to provide for his family back home in New York City, Malachy Gormley heads west to find work laying track or hauling supplies for the intercontinental railroad. The work is much harder and more dangerous than he ever imagined, and he finds solace in playing cards and spending time with Brina, the stray dog he has adopted, and Blind Thomas, a sturdy horse that lives to work. Malachy is filled with anger at his father for dying, his mother for relying on him to pay the family's bills, and eventually himself for the wrong choices he makes. Among the laborers trying to tunnel through the mountain and lay tracks are several Chinese that the whites call Celestials. Malachy quickly notices Chun Kwok Keung since he is fearless when it comes to working with explosives and in leading the men to strike for more pay. But he refuses the friendship Keung offers and joins his comrades in making fun of the Chinese. The author vividly depicts the harsh conditions of railroad building while also describing the prejudices of the 1860s. As Brina functions as Malachy's conscience, looking at him in disappointment when he is thoughtless or cruel, he continues to make costly mistakes until finally making the right choice. I enjoyed this glimpse into a part of our nation's history that is not often found in history texts or even historical fiction. Although my sympathies were more for Keung (Malachy calls him Duck), Brina, and Blind Thomas, and I felt annoyed more than anything at Malachy, the author does an excellent job of taking her readers into the mountains and deserts through which the tracks would pass. The ending wraps the story up rather neatly, a tad too neatly for me, offering hope for the future and for these two young men who turn out to have more in common that one might think.
February 25, 2014
Diane Lee Wilson writes that “honesty can make for uncomfortable reading.” Tracks is a coming-of-age story that juxtaposes two immigrant groups at an interesting time in American history, a time characterized by anti-immigration laws and migrant-worker exploitation. Diane Lee Wilson makes honest characters; writing historic fiction, she takes great effort in developing characters that are typical of their time, “however prejudiced or naïve or cruel.” Young Malachy O’Brian sets off to work for the railroads and provide income for his family, lying about his age to get work. He develops unlikely friendships with a scrappy dog and a Chinese rail-worker. This novel would be a great addition to a social studies unit.
The author does a good job of setting the stage in the late 19th century. The characters are rich and full, and at times nasty and cruel, but also heroic and compassionate; they undergo a variety of changes throughout the course of the story as they lay tracks and journey eastward. They encounter unforeseen obstacles, overcome the hardship of transient living, and deal with innumerable injustices based on their age, ethnicity or traditions. Many historical events are woven into the narrative, such as the Christmas Day avalanche in 1866 that swept away and killed several Chinese workers. These events and characters are given a voice and human feel that only great authors of this genre can provide.
I think many young readers can relate to the protagonist’s struggle to become recognized as an adult as they try to take on more responsibility. This novel focuses on two groups that are not often discussed in literature or history textbooks as disenfranchised groups. This topic can lead into a study of anti-immigration laws or the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.
The author does a good job of setting the stage in the late 19th century. The characters are rich and full, and at times nasty and cruel, but also heroic and compassionate; they undergo a variety of changes throughout the course of the story as they lay tracks and journey eastward. They encounter unforeseen obstacles, overcome the hardship of transient living, and deal with innumerable injustices based on their age, ethnicity or traditions. Many historical events are woven into the narrative, such as the Christmas Day avalanche in 1866 that swept away and killed several Chinese workers. These events and characters are given a voice and human feel that only great authors of this genre can provide.
I think many young readers can relate to the protagonist’s struggle to become recognized as an adult as they try to take on more responsibility. This novel focuses on two groups that are not often discussed in literature or history textbooks as disenfranchised groups. This topic can lead into a study of anti-immigration laws or the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.
December 31, 2022
At first I thought this book was terrible for kids, perpetuating horrific stereotypes and racism, but I kept reading because there was something endearing about it too. I'm glad I did so that I could raise my rating up. I wish that the author's note came first to help guide a better discussion between child and adult to help like understand the historical context of this piece.
I think if a kid reads this understanding that the childish perspective we read the book through brings forward the archaic thought process of the time, it is easier to understand and a bit more justifiable. I'm not pleased with the white savior aspect of the text, but I think having Malachy become such a flawed and shunned character himself helps with this. I think his remorse, humility, and his own learning in the end help swallow the "savior" aspect and the attempt to bring about hand shaken equality at the end also brings the character up a bit.
Overall, I'd recommend this book for kids with an asterisk for sure. I'd say a parent or teacher guided read of this would make it acceptable and then they should pair the book with another text that teachers about the mistreatment of Asian immigrants during this time period and/or a text from the pov of an immigrant worker that gives a finer perspective to help offset the book's shortcomings.
I think if a kid reads this understanding that the childish perspective we read the book through brings forward the archaic thought process of the time, it is easier to understand and a bit more justifiable. I'm not pleased with the white savior aspect of the text, but I think having Malachy become such a flawed and shunned character himself helps with this. I think his remorse, humility, and his own learning in the end help swallow the "savior" aspect and the attempt to bring about hand shaken equality at the end also brings the character up a bit.
Overall, I'd recommend this book for kids with an asterisk for sure. I'd say a parent or teacher guided read of this would make it acceptable and then they should pair the book with another text that teachers about the mistreatment of Asian immigrants during this time period and/or a text from the pov of an immigrant worker that gives a finer perspective to help offset the book's shortcomings.
May 29, 2013
Malachy is working for the railroad, helping lay track as the race to join at Promontory Point approaches. This historical fiction novel is a good read for boys. Not much adventure or excitement save a couple of fights, but teenaged Malachy is likable despite his faults. Middle School recommendation.
July 27, 2012
Kind of coming-of-age story of a boy working to build the Transcontinental Railroad to support his mother and siblings. His character is flawed and sometimes hard to like. The story moves slowly, but the elements of friendship and injustice kept the book interesting.
Want to read
March 27, 2013I tried reading this one and was annoyed by the narrator. If I gave it more time maybe I'd have a different opinion. I love the cover and the setting... It's set during the time of building the trans-continental railroad. Part of the conflict is how the narrator treats the Chinese people. I think.
August 26, 2012
Historical fiction with hope.
October 5, 2012
This book is perfect for students studying the construction of the transcontinental railroad. A great way to bring the period to life for young readers.
January 4, 2013
An interesting historical novel firmly grounded in time and place, and particularly effective in its depiction of prejudices of the time.
December 20, 2013
Good, but not as good as Firehorse.
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