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Set in 1882 in Yale, the British Columbia boomtown that became headquarters of the CPR's Pacific Section, A Ribbon of Shining Steel is steeped in rail history. Kate's father is the engineer responsible for building the Pacific Section's treacherous bridges, and his family lives in constant fear that he will end up in Yale's "accident hospital," another casualty of the blasting. Kate's own enthusiasm for the national railway leads her to record many of its milestones in her diary. Her compassion, moreover, for the thousands of rail workers brought over from China results in a poignant portrayal of the wretched living conditions and cruel racism to which these Chinese labourers were subjected.
This well-researched contribution to the Dear Canada series by the author of the award-winning children's novel White Jade Tiger offers a colourful depiction of life in the early days of the Confederation. Kate's own story, however, is not as stirring as that of other fictional diarists in the popular series, such as Susanna's story in Kit Pearson's Whispers of War and Victoria's in the critically acclaimed Orphan at My Door by Jean Little. Although mildly diverting, Kate's squabbles with friends, her blossoming awareness of boys, and even her rescue of a young schoolgirl in the climactic scene seem trussed up to interest young girls in the history the novel covers. Fans of the Dear Canada books will still enjoy reading A Ribbon of Shining Steel, but it's not likely to become a favourite. --Lisa Alward
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Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Ribbon of Shining Steel,
By ravenclaw29 (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Dear Canada: A Ribbon of Shining Steel: The Railway Diary of Kate Cameron (Hardcover)
A Ribbon of Shining Steel: The Railway Diary of Kate Cameron by Julie Lawson is another good addition to the exemplary Dear Canada historical fiction book series.Kathleen Cameron, called Kate, lives in a scenic mountainside town of Yale, near a rushing river, and surrounded by the rocky mountain ranges. Kate constantly fears for her father, who is one of the top architects in the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway---the Camerons' whole reason for moving from Ottawa to Yale. Kate, a smart-talking, tomboyish girl, describes to her diary of the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the white workers' feuds with the Chinese workers, her many squabble with her friend Anne Swanson, watching countless railway workers rushed into the Accident Hospital, and, in the climax scene, Kate saving a young girl from the burning fire. Julie Lawson has done a pretty good job narrating the story of the tenuous, slow construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway through the eyes of a girl's diary, though it seemed to me a little short, and less interesting than some of the other Dear Canada books. Other than that, fans of Dear Canada, or anyone else, will love A Ribbon of Shining Steel. Highly recommended!
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Ribbon of Shining Steel:The Railroad Diary of Kate Cameron,
By "tashi92" (OH CANADA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Dear Canada: A Ribbon of Shining Steel: The Railway Diary of Kate Cameron (Hardcover)
Kathleen Louise Cameron, or Kate, shares with her diary the hardships of life-friendship difficulties, deaths and injuries with the transcontinental railway being buit, and more. A very good book.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
5.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews) 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Ribbon of Shining Steel:The Railroad Diary of Kate Cameron,
By "tashi92" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Dear Canada: A Ribbon of Shining Steel: The Railway Diary of Kate Cameron (Hardcover)
Kathleen Louise Cameron, or Kate, shares with her diary the hardships of life-friendship difficulties, deaths and injuries with the transcontinental railway being buit, and more. A very good book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another excellent Dear Canada book.,
By Rebecca Herman - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Dear Canada: A Ribbon of Shining Steel: The Railway Diary of Kate Cameron (Hardcover)
This book is one of the Dear Canada series, which are historical novels, written in diary format, about fictional girls during different periods of Canadian history.Twelve-year-old Kate Cameron and her family live in the town of Yale, British Columbia, in 1882, where her father is helping to build the new Canadian Pacific Railway. Kate's parents give her a diary, and in it, she records life in a railway town, the dangers to the workers, and her own frustrations at trying to be the young lady her mother wants her to be so she won't be sent away to a school for young ladies. Like the other books in the Dear Canada series, this is a fascinating look at a period in Canadian history as seen through a young girl's diary. I'd highly recommend this book to fans of the Dear Canada and Dear America series as well as to young fans of historical fiction. Kate is a lively and believable character whose diary truly brings to life the hardships and excitement of life in the old west during the building of the railroads. |
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