Ghost Train

Kelly L. Green is the Secretary of the Ontario Federation of Teaching
Parents, the past editor of CBRA’s Children’s Literature edition,
and the past president of the Toronto & District Parent Co-operative
Preschool Corporation.

Ghost Train tells the magical story of talented Choon-yi, a Chinese
peasant girl born with only one arm. With this arm, however, she is able
to paint pictures that look “as real as life.” Choon-yi’s father
must leave her and her mother behind when he emigrates to America to
work on the railroads. When Choon-yi goes to join him, she finds that he
has been killed while performing the dangerous work. Her father’s
spirit appears before her and asks her to use her talent to paint a
special train that will carry his soul, and those of the many workers
who died with him, back home. Her acceptance of this task takes her on a
frightening and awesome adventure.

Paul Yee’s story tackles a number of difficult issues, from
disability to death, and incorporates them into a tale that at once
encompasses fate, beauty, adventure, personal power, and the
insubstantiality of corporeal life. Rather than being too difficult or
threatening for children, Yee’s text invites them in, making them full
participants in this drama of pain, loss, recovery. Harvey Chan’s
beautiful paintings seem to glow from within, giving the reader a
lasting image of fiery trains filled with those who have gone before,
glowing uncannily as they race through the dark night. Highly
recommended.