Theme: The book, Silver Packages, can be used to introduce your students to poverty, suburban life, the Appalachian Mountains, Christmas, railroads and trains.

Background: This story was inspired by a real train, the “Santa Train” which rolls through the Appalachian Mountains each Christmas season. From this train, tons of toys and treats are tossed by volunteers to the children of coal towns who wait patiently by the tracks. This has been happening every Christmas since 1943.

Pre-reading: Show the students the cover of the book, read the title as well as the names of the author and illustrator. Ask them what they think the book will be about. Next show the illustration of the train coming into town. Ask them again what they think the book will be about? Ask the class if anyone has ever taken a train ride. Where did they go? Did the train look more like the one inside the book? Was the train crowded? Where did they ride?

This story takes place in the Appalachian Mountains. Have your class find the location on a map (hint: “northeast). Let the students know that this book has a story within a story.

Reading: As you read the story, show the class the illustrations and ask them to look closely at the pictures. What details can they find? Have them look closely at the expressions of the main character, Frankie. How do they change during the story? Ask students how they think Frankie is feeling. Can they tell by the illustrations?

Geography: Have your class plan a trip across the Appalachian Mountains. Estimate the miles of the trip and how long will it take on the train. How will they get to the train station from the school? What will they need to bring for their ride – food, clothes, entertainment items, books etc. What do the think they will see along the way – will they see rivers, mountains, lakes, deserts, plains, farms, factories, cities etc.

Science: Currently, the forest, park, air, rivers and trails of the Appalachian Mountains are under conservation efforts. Why is it important to ecologically preserve this region? If possible, go on a hike and study mountain geology.

Literature: Read Children of Christmas: Stores for the Season by Cynthia Rylant. Look for other books by Cynthia Rylant and Chris Soentpiet.

Art: Have the class make silver packages by wrapping a boxes in silver-colored paper. Decorate them with yarn, ribbons, colored paper, etc. Place all your silver packages around your classroom Christmas tree.

If you enjoyed reading Silver Packages write a review and post it online at Amazon or Barnes and Noble so others can enjoy your reading experience.

 

Words from Author, Cynthia Rylant

“This story was inspired by two true events. One is the annual trip through the Appalachian mountains by the “Santa Train.” Each year volunteers throw packages from the train to the children living in the hills and hollows who don’t have much. The train started visiting in 1940 and has been “Santa” ever since.

The second true event which inspired Silver Packages was my own longing as a child. I was living with my grandparents, who didn’t have much money. They took me to a place where poor children were given one Christmas present apiece. I saw a nurse kit and really wanted it, for my mother was away studying to become a nurse. But another child ahead of me chose the kit, and I didn’t get one.

The illustrator of this book, Chris Soentpiet, actually made a trip from New York City to West Virginia to see Appalachian mountains and homes. He visited Logan and Boone counties, which are very isolated and still look so much as they did fifty years ago. As a result, Chris’s paintings are both authentic and luminous.” – Cynthia Rylant (source: www.cynthiarylant.com)

 

65 Years of Christmas Cheer

The 65th annual CSX Santa Train eases through the crowd at Fort Blackmore, Virginia, on the former Clinchfield Railroad, on November 17, 2007. It will stop at the crossing so Santa and his helpers can toss toys and candy from the open platform office car to the waiting children and their families. Since 1943 the train has made its 110-mile run from Shelby, Kentucky, to Kingsport, Tennessee, bringing holiday cheer to the isolated Appalachian villages along the route.

Railfan and Railroad Magazine, February 2008
(photo credit: Dustin Grizzle)