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DERAILED
“Derailed,” a middle-grade historical fiction novel, was inspired by a true incident that took place in 1911, on the Stony Brook Railroad between Westford and West Chelmsford, MA, when the train carrying Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill Lillie's Wild West show derailed.
On May 24, 1911, a train carrying the famous “Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Pawnee Bill's Great Far East Show” (the “Two Bills Show”) derailed in the middle of the night en route to Lowell, MA. Crew members and local residents worked together to round up escaped animals. Performers staged an impromptu show before continuing on to Lowell for their scheduled performance.
Thirteen-year-old Gretta Anderson is on the verge of giving up her dreams of continuing her education and becoming a newspaper reporter—until a train carrying the “Two Bills Show” derails in her small village. Set during a time of rapid social change, immigration, and the golden age of Wild West shows, “Derailed” follows Gretta’s journey of courage, ambition, and self-discovery.
Shout out to Westford Villager - Sunday Magazine for their review!
Teachers: see "Resources for Teachers" webpage for classroom activities.
"Derailed" is available through independent bookstores, as well as on Amazon, and Ingram.
"Derailed" can also be purchased in Chelmsford, Westford, and in Lowell (the towns where it happened) at:
Nab One-Stop, 60 Brookside Road, Westford
Chelmsford's Summer Street Grocers
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