The second entry in Cameron’s Young Explorers series keeps things on track with an exciting, well-paced story that finds eleven-year-old CJ Kask, his friends, and their archaeologist parents searching for artifacts from a North Dakota train crash from the 1880's. Set in an engagingly realized 1917 with a story that turns on of-that-moment technology, Phantom Express finds the heroes facing not just a fascinating find—100 lives were lost in the crash, the result of an attempted train robbery gone bad, and the town still feels it. Upon beginning their dig, they learn that the town of Danford is still haunted by a spectral locomotive which crashes off the same bridge again and again. Artifacts recovered from the dig prove to have strange effects on some of the Explorers themselves, and CJ and company must solve the mystery of the identity of the lone survivor, one of the original gang of robbers who could have changed everything—but didn't.

Cameron spins a good adventure yarn, one that boasts a cozily creepy atmosphere, many good possible suspects for the villain, parents who extend patience and grace to their children, and the fun of figuring out which characters are of this world and which ones are not. Above all, the series turns on the Young Adventurers themselves, a group of friends who choose to stand up for each other and the greater good, even in the face of danger. The supernatural elements are scary but not overwhelmingly so, and the story is appropriate for its middle grade audience.

Cameron continues to seize the opportunity, in these books, to introduce readers to geographical and historical eras that may be unfamiliar to them and which may spark an interest in learning more. Even in 1917, this story reminds us, kids had their favorite movie stars (Charlie Chaplin, of course). This nice blend of fantasy and history is told in direct yet engaging prose that will draw young readers in to see what adventure awaits.

Takeaway: A ghost train powers this spooky historical mystery.

Comparable Titles: Linda Fairstein’s Devlin Quick series, Sharon M. Draper’s Clubhouse Mysteries.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A