All Aboard! The Story of the Summit Tunnel: An Interactive History of the Chinese Railroad Workers Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad - Paperback

by Rajiv Fernandez (Illustrator), Rose Perry (Author), 1882 Foundation (Consultant)

In 1866, thousands of Chinese immigrant laborers carved Tunnel No. 6 through the solid granite of the Sierra Nevada mountains-changing America forever. Their names were left out of history books. Until now.

All Aboard! The Story of the Summit Tunnel brings this untold chapter of the Transcontinental Railroad to life through the eyes of Wei Zhang, a 16-year-old Chinese railroad worker drawn from real historical accounts, who faced snowstorms, dangerous explosives, and profound injustice-and kept going anyway.

This 100+ page Chinese American history activity book combines narrative storytelling, coloring pages, maps, mazes, and reflection prompts into a fully immersive learning experience ideal for ages 8-11.

Created in partnership with the 1882 Foundation, this resource is historically grounded, developmentally appropriate, and intentionally honest. It addresses labor exploitation and the Chinese Exclusion Act kids need to know about, while celebrating the resilience and courage of the workers who built the American West.

Perfect for AAPI Heritage Month, Chinese American history units, California history elementary classrooms, and grades 3-5 social studies classrooms, this book is also a meaningful gift for young readers who love stories of immigration history, courage, and perseverance.

For educators, this SEL integrated social studies resource includes ready-to-use lesson plans, discussion guides, and a comprehensive glossary-fully aligned with Common Core ELA, NCSS Social Studies, CASEL Social-Emotional Learning standards, and state AAPI ethnic studies curriculum mandates.

A powerful social justice history kids can connect with, it also serves Asian American Pacific Islander elementary students and families as a standalone coloring activity book history experience that sparks curiosity and important conversations.

Created by Historicons-bringing underrepresented history to life for the next generation.