When you think of World War II you don’t usually think of a sweet story about friendship, hope and caring, but that is what The Friendship Train: A True Story of Helping and Healing after World War II is about.
Author Debbie Levy tells of how after the devastating world war, Europe faced a brutal winter. Low on supplies, food, and practically everything needed for survival, it was figured most would not make it. But in an attempt to help, (from publisher description) spearheaded by Drew Pearson, a writer in Washington, D.C., the people in the United States (and in many ways pushed by the children of the US) help was on its way. This telling of these events are neither “just the facts” or “overly poetic,” yet, has an almost dreamy-real quality to the tone.
The form is straightforward and with elements of hopeful tones. The images are realistic, but not “pure realism” making them fun, sweet and keep that hopeful tone going. Boris Kulkov keeps you engaged and mixes modern looks with a more classically based element. The March 2025 
| School Library Journal review puts it best for both art and text with “warmly colored artwork is a perfect match for the text, offering period details to help readers understand” what was accomplished. |
This book is due June 2026, and I read via an online reader copy. Honestly, I am not sure if I will add a finished copy to my collection, but I think that classrooms (grades first to third or fourth) would be the perfect place to have one. School libraries should also have a couple copies. It will be a perfect addition to World War Two studies and if you like stories about kids “your age” doing “big things.” 
