(Sci-fi) 3 children with unique abilities; they've been put on the train by a "greater force" (like a sci-fi agency or something)

[Monet]

This book is really hazy for me because I read it about 8 years ago, around 2009.

What I remember is there are three kids and they start off on a train, I don't think they know each other in the beginning and I don't know how accurate this is but I think they've been put on the train by a "greater force" (like a sci-fi agency or something) and I remember they all have a unique ability.

One part I remember is that one of the boys sees a dead body in one of the snowier regions they go to and later draws it in extreme detail (I think his ability might of been artistic?).

This is probably not helping at all but I remember the book being a big hardback, bigger than normal with a dark cover?

Sorry there's so little details that I remember!

[Michele]

How old were the kids -- preteen, early teen, young adult? Boys or girls? Would you say it was more sci fi or fantasy?

[Monet]

Michele wrote: "How old were the kids -- preteen, early teen, young adult? Boys or girls? Would you say it was more sci fi or fantasy?"

It's really hazy but I think they were around 11-13?

I'm completely sure there was a girl and a boy but I can't really remember the third character, I think they were a boy though.

I would consider it more of a sci-fi novel.

[SparksofEmber]

Maybe The Case of the Vanishing Boy?

Is it possible this query is about the same book Here? If so, there are tons of books suggested.

[Monet]

SparksofEmber wrote: "Maybe The Case of the Vanishing Boy?

Is it possible this query is about the same book Here? If so, there are tons of books suggested."

Hhmmm, neither of those really ring any bells from their descriptions. Thanks though!

[Monet]

I don't know if this helps but I remember it was written in third person, not from a specific character's POV.

[Kelly]

Susan Cooper's Seaward, perhaps? Definitely a boy and girl, with a third character coming along later, special powers, I'm pretty sure there's a train, bigger format than normal (at the time)...

[SparksofEmber]

Seaward for the link.

[Monet]

Kelly wrote: "Susan Cooper's Seaward, perhaps? Definitely a boy and girl, with a third character coming along later, special powers, I'm pretty sure there's a train, bigger format than normal (at the time)..."

I'm pretty sure that all three characters become freinds from the beginning? And from what I remember I don;t think the abilities were supernatural or psychic? I think they were just like normal skills?

[Monet]

???????

[Kris]

Please note the bump period is 30+ days because this group is so large -- or sooner if you remember more information which you can add at any time.

What's the time period and location - England/country, region, fantasy world, etc.? Where's the train going?

What type of challenge or threat do they face?

What's the tone or genre - adventure, scary, mystery, funny at times, coming-of-age, etc.?

[Michele]

Bump!

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Rose, are you still looking for this or did you find it?

[Monet]

Lobstergirl wrote: "Rose, are you still looking for this or did you find it?"

I still haven't found it, unfortunately! :(

[Monet]

So this is all very hazy and I can't confirm the accuracy of any of this BUT I remember:

The story starts with the children already on the train, I don't think it ever mentions where it started and I think the children didn't know where the train was going in the first place, I think THEN the train goes into a fantasy setting, I think once they get off the train they travel by different means across the land,

I think I might go back on a earlier point and maybe one of the children had some sort of psychic ability, maybe the girl character (I'm not sure) but I think there were two boys and one girl,

I think it had a modern-day setting in the beginning - so when the book started in this reality and they were on the train it was just modern-day,

And I remember the tone of the book being quite dark at times, for example, the scene where one of the boys sees a dead body - I think that was described in the book indicating trauma, which gives me a sense that it was a book aimed at older teens (I think I remember imagining the characters as around 13-15).

I think that's all I remember!