SuitabookEmmy Budd and the hijacked train
Jean Blasiar
- Reading
- If the reader is comfortable with suspense, read together through the train episode and pause to discuss whether the danger feels exciting, frightening or ethically complicated. Revisit the ending to assess its consequences.
- Themes
- Adventure and resourcefulness: Emmy and T.J. have little money but create activities for themselves, including kite-flying, raft-building and exploring a swimming hole. The book?s stance on this remains unclear.
- Courage under danger: After boarding a mail train, the young protagonists operate undercover during a hijacking and confront a desperate fugitive. The plot places young characters in serious danger and gives them an active investigative role, but it is unclear whether their conduct is celebrated, criticised or presented as morally mixed.
- Worth knowing
- The train episode involves hijacking, undercover activity, a desperate fugitive and characters risking their lives.