On the Blue Comet
In 1930s Cairo, Illinois, eleven-year-old Oscar Ogilvie is left with his stern aunt after his father sells their home and beloved model train set to seek work in California. Befriending a mysterious drifter, Oscar soon witnesses a shocking bank robbery. Suddenly, he finds himself on a train that transports him to a different time and place, embarking on an unexpected adventure.
On the Blue Comet was adapted into a live-action film titled "The Blue Comet" in 2012, directed by Joe Dante. The film captures the book's blend of historical setting and fantastical journey.
On the Blue Comet is a standalone novel, offering a complete narrative arc within its pages. While it features a rich world, it does not require reading other books to understand the story.
On the Blue Comet stands out in Rosemary Wells's bibliography for its venture into historical fantasy and adventure, a departure from her more common picture books and realistic fiction for younger readers. It showcases her versatility in crafting a complex narrative for a middle-grade audience.