| Author/Contributor(s): | Burton, Virginia Lee; Burton, Virginia Lee |
| Publisher: | Clarion Books |
| Date: | 3/31/1997 |
| Binding: | Paperback |
| Condition: | NEW |
Meet Maybelle, the cheerful cable car braving San Francisco’s steep hills in an inspiring tale of civic action.
The narrative introduces Maybelle climbing steep tracks with three distinct brakes and a grip on the underground cable. Burton contrasts her runs against Big Bill, a motor bus boasting of speed and urging City Hall to retire the cars.
Concerned citizens gather at the library, circulating petitions to place Question One on the ballot. The book follows their spirited public rallies as the city awaits the outcome on election night.
By recounting actual events in San Francisco's effort to keep the city's cable cars running, this classic story illustrates how the voice of the people can be heard in the true spirit of democracy.
- Cable Car History: Andrew S. Hallidie invented the cars in 1873 to keep horses from struggling and falling on wet city hills.
- City Transportation: The gripman works the levers and rings the bell while the conductor collects fares and assists with the rear brakes.
- Community Spirit: Citizens form a committee to protect their city's moving landmarks from being scrapped.
- Also by This Author: The Little House and Katy and the Big Snow.