From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026

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What Members Thought

Beverly
Apr 29, 2019 rated it it was amazing  ·  review of another edition
Shelves: jf-mystery, jf-cats
I loved the characters (especially the telepathic cat), the plot, and the lovely epilogue.
Karen Arendt
May 26, 2014 rated it really liked it
Shelves: mystery, middle-grade
A fun depression era mystery for 4th-6th graders. I enjoyed Lantern Sam, the cat who can "talk" to humans and how his story was revealed in in alternating chapters from the plot of the story. I especially liked the epilogue where Henry, the boy on the train who helps solve the mystery, is a grandfather taking his grandson to pick out a calico cat. The story has plenty of clues, red herrings, and plot twists! ...more
Brenda
Sep 13, 2014 rated it it was amazing
A fun to read mystery and adventure book rolled into one and told in two voices. The story is told by ten year old Henry Shipley and by a talking cat named Lantern Sam. Every other chapter contains autobiographical information about Lantern Sam. Most of the story takes place aboard the Lake Erie Shoreliner passenger train. In 1938 Henry is traveling by train with his Mother and sister when a young heiress named Ellie Strasbourg is kidnapped. Henry, Sam and the friendly conductor named Clarence s ...more
Erin
Jul 10, 2014 rated it liked it
Shelves: junior-fiction
3.5 A book I would have never picked up but glad I did. Old time mystery set on a train. Kidnappers! Jewels! Criminals! And Sam-a cat who talks but only to a chosen few. Charming and fun.
Stephanie
Jan 07, 2014 rated it liked it
Kim
Jan 29, 2014 marked it as to-read
Bekah
Mar 04, 2014 marked it as to-read
Rachel
Mar 10, 2014 marked it as to-read
Peggy Howell
Mar 22, 2014 marked it as to-read
Wendy
Apr 04, 2014 marked it as to-read
Donalyn
Apr 21, 2014 marked it as to-read
Michal Hope
Apr 29, 2014 marked it as to-read
The Reading Countess
May 22, 2014 marked it as to-read
Shelves: fantasy, middle-grade
Kathy
May 26, 2014 marked it as to-read
Geni
May 31, 2014 marked it as to-read
Wendy Garland
Jun 20, 2014 marked it as to-read
Julie Williams
Oct 13, 2014 rated it really liked it
Maggi Rohde
May 13, 2015 marked it as to-read
Regina
Jun 01, 2015 marked it as to-read