Bridget Collins is in dire straits – she needs to get out of New York, fast. With two young siblings under her wing, her options are limited.Her priest sends her as an outplacement agent on the orphan trains that run from New York to out west.With almost forty orphans under her care, she’s relieved fellow and more experienced outplacement agent Carl Watson, is there to guide her. But Carl is … Carl is dealing with his own trauma and finds it difficult to handle the pain the orphans are dealing with.
Through tears and laughter, everyone on the orphan train has a lesson to teach about love, life and loyalty. And Bridget finds a new, unexpected calling. Every child deserves a happy home and Bridget is determined to do whatever it takes to ensure that happens. No matter what the cost…
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It is difficult to realize the trials many children have to endure to just survive. Sadly the child care system has not greatly improved for many children who are sent back into abusive homes. Thankfully this story ends on a positive note to give hope.
I didn’t realize there were orphan trains this early- a fun story
You get a sense of some of the history of the USA. You are allowed a look into past and desperate times when children were torn/taken from their family so that all could survive.
First time I have read a book from this author,but I thoroughly enjoyed her. I have read all 5 books from this series and all of them were great and I read them all within the week wishing for more. Plan on following this author in the future.
I read book #2 before this one, so it was nice to get the “back story” on the characters. This is a fine piece of historical fiction with a good mix of history regarding the Orphan Trains and probable scenarios of that day. Worth every minute of reading it!
I loved this book, couldn’t put it downward sad! I recommend this book. Waiting to read the next bo
Never knew there were Orphan trains till I read this book. Heartbreaking in some ways.
I enjoyed the story and the characters. I have read other novels incorporating the orphan trains. This one had some additional plot twists to keep it even more interesting. I would read more in this series.
Very good and interesting historical novel.
I never knew about this part of American history.
Great read!
It starts out with very poor siblings living a squalid quarter of New York. The heroine of the novel works in a factory, but her boss tries to molest her sexually and in self defense she stabs him with a sharp object. Now her life as well the one of her siblings is in danger because her boss being rich will seek revenge. She ends up working on a train with a co-worker where they take orphans to cities out west to be adopted. Not everything goes smoothly. While some adoptive parents will treat the orphans right, others will just work them as slaves or might even abuse them. A romance will develop but for that just read this novel. It shows you what immigrants often had to deal with.
Sad what happened to people when they became homeless and not able to take care of their children and had to give them up. Or the parents died and the children no longer had anyone to care for them.
Historically a sad time. Some positive stories that occurred along with sad
Great ending
Orphan Train Escape: Rachel Wesson
For many years orphanages sent children by train to underpopulated parts of the US, often to become farm laborers or household servants. Society provided few alternatives for these young lives. In this story, which is based on research and features some historic figures, a resourceful and earnest young girl working in a factory to support her family is attacked by her employer. He also presents a threat to her younger sister. She goes into hiding, then is enlisted to accompany a group of unplaceable orphans on a trek to the west. Her life, and the lives of the children in her care, unfold as they cross the country. Some orphans are attractive and easy to place with couples who want to replace their lost children. Unattractive and handicapped children are much more difficult to place, as are children who want to remain with their siblings. The brave heroine supports her young charges, saves them from exploitive situations, and finds herself growing enough to permit her youngest siblings to go to a better situation than she herself can provide. Very readable.
Good read
Enjoyed reading it.
This second in the series did not let me down. Once again, the author captivated me in the individual characters. Yes, there are times when you can strongly suspect what is going to take place, however; it does not diminish the over all story. I’d be surprised it you didn’t enjoy this series as I did.
Based on actual events, this book has marvelous characters that are easy to relate to. During the Depression, children were sometimes given up by struggling parents and put on trains to be adopted by other families. This book talks about several of the children and the couple that rides the train with them out to Wyoming to find good families. The children have such difficult back stories that I wanted to adopt each and every one of them! The main character even had to come to the realization that she had to place her own brother and sister up for adoption in order that they would be able to survive. Heart rendering, and a great read!