The Great Railroad Race: The Diary of Libby West

by Kristiana Gregory

Book Overview

The diary of 14-year-old Libby West recounts the momentous building of the Transcontinental Railroad, as the lines from the Pacific coast and the Atlantic coast meet for the first time. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 059010991X
• ISBN13: 9780590109918
• Release Date: April 1999
• Publisher: Scholastic
• Length: 203 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 9 to 14 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 9

Customer Reviews

Another great Diary written by Kristiana Gregory

I love Kristiana Gregory‘a books! She really gives her characters personality and writes from the age of her diarist. Libby hits upon many problems of the the time after the Civil War and the building of America’s first transcontinental railroad. Her book is a journey worth taking.

A terrific "Dear America" book!

"The Great Railroad Race" was another terrific "Dear America" novel, in an 1868 diary form about 14 year-old Libby West . Libby's father, a newspaper reporter, decides to travel west with the growing Union Pacific Railroad, for the chance to publish his own newspaper. Libby's mother refuses to stay behind in Denver, however, so the whole family goes along.The story of Libby's time out west was very descriptive and interesting to read, with her making new friends, falling in love with her father's assistant, and helping her family. It was also pretty humorous at times! :)I'd definitely recommend this book for ages 11 and up, to anyone who likes history, romance, adventure, or just a great read! Be sure to also read the "Dear America" books "Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie" and "West to a Land of Plenty", and also the "My Name is America" book "The Journal of Sean Sullivan".

capturing history

the DIARY OF LIBBY WEST kept me captivated and interested. this book of the series is the best by far...many people dont know much about the era after the Civil War.. I thought this book captured the reconstruction of the United States economy very well...When reading the book, you were right there beside Libby and her experiences and feelings. The Dear America series lets me explore history with our having to search endlessly for books on that particular subject, yet it introduces me to different view points and periods in time I never would have dreamt reading about.

This is a GREAT book! You MUST read it!

I really love this book. It gives you such a good feeling when you read it. The author must've really know what she was doing when she wrote this book. You will never feel confused about the way something works or looks. This book deserves 10 stars but that is not a choice in the ratings.

Awesome Book! Could not put it down!

I loved this book. It is one of Kristiana Gregory's best books. It definately illustrates the issues as seen from a girls' point of view. This book was funny, romantic, and very intreging. This book had an outstanding plot. I could not put it down. " The Great Railroad Race" is a must read. It is similar to " Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie". If you have not read both of them, I suggest you do.

This is my favorite book,and I've read a lot of books.

I loved this book so much. It's my favorite book in the Dear America series.If you don't beileve me,see for yourself and read it.