Thirteen-year-old Billy Knight leaves home to 'ride the rails' across Canada during the 1930s. His encounters with a wide cast of characters — including fellow drifters and grifters, kid gangs, crooks, idealists, ragtag philosophers, and railroad bulls, as well as everyday folk simply trying to get by — provide much more than he bargained for. And for the first time, he realizes that riding the rails is not just an adventure. It also speaks to the bravery of those drifting like tumbleweed across the country and seeking a better life. And just like the railway on which Billy travels, the narrative surges unstoppably forward, offering up an adventure both life-changing and unforgettable.
Christine Welldon is a Canadian author who loves bringing history to life for her readers. She has written many creative non-fiction and historical fiction books including Children of the Titanic, Reporter in Disguise, and the recently acclaimed title Kid Sterling. Knight of the Rails is her second novel.
"Heartening and uplifting."
— Kirkus Reviews
"The ending is satisfying and, overall, Knight of the Rails is a great accomplishment as a historical novel.
Highly Recommended."
— Canadian Review of Materials
Updates Available: Updates Available: Update available for Picture Gallery Module