Marty’s life has been turned upside down with his dad’s diagnosis of cancer, and it’s a childhood memory of the story of the train of lost things that gives him hope. Ammi-Joan Paquette’s book, The Train of Lost Things, is a beautifully written novel that is an interesting take on how children deal with the tough topics of terminal illness and death. As Marty frantically searches for a jacket with pins that holds memories of things he and his dad experienced together, he magically finds the storied Train of Lost Things. He figures that if he could just find this lost jacket, it will help his dad hold on a little longer. On the train he meets Dina and Star, who are coping with their own losses and searching for their own lost things. Together they help each other cope and learn to accept what is to come.

The Train of Lost Things is a magical novel that takes the topics of grief and death and makes them relatable to children. While this magical train ride is exciting and adventurous and is sure to appeal to everyone, it’s the appeal to readers that might have experienced such heartache as death or terminal illness that gives this novel such a universal draw. Marty’s journey with his father’s illness, as well as his magical journey on the train of lost things, is one that will give anyone hope and courage to face what is to come.

Review is of an Advance Uncorrected Galley

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Philomel

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None 

Violence/Gore:  2 characters tackle another person to the ground.

Sex/Nudity:  None

Mature Subject Matter:

Terminal illness, death, supernatural, afterlife, divorce.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

None