A-Train Allen

Every day after school, Allen--called A-Train--is a familiar sight through the neighborhood as he sets off running: "sneakers FLAPPING . . . Backpack BOUNCING . . . wind WHOOSHING by." Past basketball and chess players in the park (and briefly stopping to safely cross the street), he speedily continues along busy sidewalks of people and shops. Along the way, neighbors ask, "A-Train, A-Train! Where you going so fast?" and each time, A-Train responds, "Got somewhere to be." Eventually, he reaches his destination--the train station, where he happily meets his grandmother, and they leisurely walk home hand in hand. The energetic text, incorporating abundant action words that are highlighted in a bold, all-caps font, makes for lively reading. It's also a peppy accompaniment to the bright, page-filling illustrations expressively depicting the diverse cast of characters, including A-Train, who is Black; the friendly interactions he has en route; and the vibrant city where he lives. While the story line itself may be slight, readers will appreciate the upbeat portrayal of a congenial community--and the importance of someone you simply can't wait to see.

A Black child rushes through the city to meet his grandmother. Meet A-Train Allen, who takes his time getting to school in the morning but is known for speeding back home (it's said that he can traverse the city faster than the subway--hence his nickname). A-Train Allen flies through the park, past the big kids playing basketball and the older men playing chess. As fast as he may be, he's careful when he crosses the street. Barreling down the pavement, he responds to passersby with, "Got somewhere to be, got somewhere to be!" Depicting a busy, diverse city reminiscent of New York, Ollivierre's illustrations are all brightness and movement as the boy weaves through crowded streets. A-Train Allen doesn't slow until he reaches the elevated train station, where the tracks are vibrating with the arrival of a train. Soon after, his grandmother emerges with a kiss and buckets of praise for her grandson, who seems to beat her to the subway stop daily. Now that he's reunited with his grandmother, A-Train can enjoy a safe and supervised walk home. Younge's bouncy text makes dynamic use of color, font, and vocabulary (A-Train Allen "bolt[s]," "dash[es], and "skid[s]" on his way home) for a tale of vitality and verve that will resonate with fans of The Quickest Kid in Clarksville (2016) by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Frank Morrison. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A sweet tale worth slowing down to read. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.