Kenny Clark knows Santa is magical and only he can find his family. Kathleen Collins fights poverty and desperation every day in her bid to find new homes for the orphans of New York. But what about her happy ever after?Can the magic of Christmas bring happiness at last?
Orphan Train Christmas
By rachelwesson
The Sanctuary House for orphans is busy, Lily is awaiting the birth of a baby, Dr. Richard and Kathleen are smitten and New York is busy. It’s Christmas after all! In this book you will meet Kenny, love Jack, cry over Mary and give hugs to those that survive cholera. I actually felt cold as the author described the snow, slush, frozen feet and red-faces of those coming and going this time of year. I loved the way Inspector Griffin looked out for those unable to stand against violence. This book can be read any time of year but it feels special to look back to 1895 in New York at Christmas time.
They never taught me about the orphan train in history class. Now I want to know more. What happened to these children? Do their children know these stories? Opened my knowledge and broke my heart.
Does not work well as a stand-alone read. Many references to earlier events from other books, but not enough carry-over detail to make a comprehensive understanding of the flow of events.
The entire Orphan Train series is enjoyable and lends historical perspective on how we’ve changed as a society in our perception of orphans. May we never revert to treating them as slaves or indentured servants! Every life is precious and opening hearts to those in need is a noble endeavor.
This was just what I was looking for, easy read, feel good with a happy ending. There were parts that were not feel good but real life which is why I overlooked some type-o’s. All’s well that ends well.
I have read all the series of the Orphan Train children and the books are awesome, easy to read and have a great story line. Would highly recommend her books.
Great read!
Orphan Train Christmas was an fascinating glimpse into problems and situations for families and orphans in poor parts of New York City in the late 1800s. Long before government welfare was provided, civic and religious groups did what they could to help. The book was well written, easily read, the plot well thought out. Rachel Wesson has written other Orphan Train books which probably should be read first to provide a context for the reader into the history of the families and individuals involved.
Gave a view of difficulties living in a large city during hard times. Maybe anytime? Shows the difficulty of inner city children.
Good holiday read
Loved it!
Love the entire Orphan Train series. Have not found one of these books to disappoint.
The story has a predictable plot, but the “good” characters are endearing. Sometimes having a simple plot and endearing characters, combined with historical details is just what I need to read.
I I have a friend whose grandmother told her about the Orphan train. It was very sad and I enjoyed reading about other’s experiences about the Orphan train. Good intentions with bad results do happen.
This was a cute Christmas time story to listen to as an audio book in my car while running holiday errands. I enjoyed the narrator, who was adept at the Irish accents and voices in the story. The ending was a good one, warm and cozy.
An interesting look at historical events.
Outstanding, caring , lovely book. I loved this book and the others in this series.
Good story and no yukky sex. Yea!
This is a sweet story, which fits in well with the series.
A heart wrenching story of how a group worked to help orphans on the streets of New York. It’s a story of a young boy they help as his world comes crashing down at Christmas.