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Holden Russell attended Virginia Commonwealth University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Creative Advertising, and later attended Southern New Hampshire University receiving a Master of Arts in English and Creative Writing. He served seven years in the VA Army National Guard, three of which he worked as a Public Affairs Specialist, publishing multiple articles for the organization. He is known for his Author/Illustrated chapter book The Freight Train in the Sky published in September of 2021, which received a 5-star review from Readers Favorite. His work has also appeared in the online cultural magazine Prometheus Dreaming as well as in print within the poetry collection Prometheus Dreaming Uncut 2019. All publications can be found on his website www.HoldenRussell.com.
Reviewed by Sarah Scheele for Readers' Favorite
The Freight Train in the Sky is a sweet, easy-to-read chapter book for children. Author Holden Russell introduces young readers to an orphan named Paul, who lives with nuns in an orphanage because his parents died as a result of widespread disease. Although well cared for, Paul feels lonely and has never fully faced the grief of losing his parents. He channels his emotions into a fascination with the stars and with mythology. After studying constellations and myths through books, he sees a shooting star. He journeys through the constellations on a train run by a benevolent spirit man called the Conductor. And Paul soon finds the heavenly realms hold something he could never have hoped to wish for.
The Freight Train in the Sky is a beautifully told narrative. Lightly floating sentences and expert storytelling created amazing visual images that made me feel like I was watching a good animated movie. I was really entranced by Holden Russell’s seemingly simple but emotionally very charged tale. The adventure aspect is just what beginning readers and their parents look for in a fantasy story. The majestic legendary figures like Hercules and Sagittarius help Paul learn (my favorite was the episode onboard the Argo). The inclusion of Paul’s family in his journey injects a vein of elemental pagan dignity that will help children understand why ancient peoples told stories about the constellations. A solid book that uses mythology as its basis, The Freight Train in the Sky was very enjoyable.
