Kate Shelley: Bound for Legend

by Robert D. San Souci, Max Ginsburg (Illustrator)

A biography of the fifteen-year-old Iowa teenager who helped avert a train disaster in 1881 and became a national heroine

Genres: Picture Books, History, Nonfiction, Biography, Childrens, Trains

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1995

About the author

Robert Daniel San Souci (October 10, 1946 – December 19, 2014) was a multiple award-winning children's book author, who resided in San Francisco, California. He often worked with his brother, Daniel San Souci, a children's book illustrator. He was a consultant to Disney Studios and was instrumental in the production of the film Mulan, for which he wrote the story. He studied folklore in graduate school. He died after suffering a head injury while falling from a high height in San Francisco in December 2014. He was only 68 years old.

Reviews

[Charlie]

A kids' book based on a true story. Very good. Lifts up the value of courage, determination and concern for others despite the cost to yourself. Recommended.

[Bo]

Based on a true story, this short children's book is the account of a young girl's bravery and her courageous actions. The kind of literature that helps encourage our children to be noble, to think of others, and to act with courage even in the fact of daunting circumstances.

[Laurie B]

Exciting story of a heroic teenager in the 1800s with very nice illustrations. I had not heard of Kate Shelley before, so I enjoyed learning about her. The narrative really built the tension and danger of her situation. However, it felt like some details might have been missing, and I thought the ending was a bit abrupt.

[Abigail]

Fifteen-year-old Iowa farm girl Kate Shelley becomes a national heroine in this engrossing picture book biography, risking her own life during a terrible storm to warn the nearby train station that the trestle bridge beneath her home had gone down in a flood, taking a steam engine with it. Determined to get help for the engine men trapped in the waters, and to prevent the next train, carrying hundreds of passengers, from meeting a similar fate, she crawled across the seven-hundred-foot-long Des Moines River Bridge in the howling wind and lashing rain, moving from cross-tie to cross-tie just above the raging river water, in order to bring word of the disaster to Moingona. Her efforts proved successful, and soon her name was known state and nation-wide. The book closes with an author's note giving more information about Kate...

I'm quite familiar with author Robert D. San Souci's many folktale retellings, which I have enjoyed greatly, but Kate Shelley: Bound for Legend is only the second work of nonfiction I have read from his pen, following upon his N.C. Wyeth's Pilgrims , and the first biography. It is also the first time I have encountered illustrator Max Ginsburg's artwork. I am very glad I tracked it down, as I found the story it relates immensely gripping, its heroine inspiring, and the accompanying visuals beautiful. I had never heard of Kate Shelley before encountering this book, and that's a shame, as I think I would have found her story very interesting, as a child. I certainly do, as an adult. I'm glad to have had this deficiency in my knowledge rectified, and to learn about the actions of such a brave young woman. She certainly deserved her plaudits! San Souci's telling of the story captures the excitement and terror of that night-time trip, while the oil paintings from Ginsburg are beautifully expressive, depicting the emotional register of each scene, and the intense atmosphere of that stormy night. Recommended to picture book readers who enjoy biography and/or stories about brave young people making a difference.

[Roberto Galindo]

Nice tribute. I like that it wasn't too short and allows for a good use of time for reading aloud. The drawings are amazing, so good to show to audience. Some details missing that would better help build the plot. Other than that, great tribute.

[rjpence15]

Nominated for the Pencebery by Grandma.

[Margaret]

This book tells the true story of heroine Kate Shelly. It's well written and beautifully illustrated.

[Drew]

This true story about a young heroine in 1881 is so heartwarming.

[Meredith]

I discovered this book as a late teenager, but think it is an enduring tale that speaks to women of all ages. The illustrations are beautiful, and the heroine is an honest and inspiring character. This is definitely a go-to book as a gift for independent young ladies and would be a great addition to the book shelf of any young girl between the ages of 7-10+ y.o.

[Barbara]

Historic fiction account of Kate Shelley's heroic efforts to save numerous lives when a storm takes out the train bridge near her home.

[The Reading Countess]

The gorgeous artwork was far better than the dry story on the pages.

[Cynthia R]

A good historical legend. Wonderful role model for young women. Read this as children's research for my job at the Railroad Museum.

[Jared]

This was intense! Kind of weird at the end because they made it seem like it may have all been for nothing.

[Dulce]

it is a good story

[Lianna Scott]

A Very Godly - TRUE - story of a heroic young lady who saved lived by risking her own.