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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Just finished this book today and I’m glad I read it. It described sad situations, but people were working to make them better and it ends on as positive a note as one could hope for.
based on true incidences of removal of, orphaned or not, children from New York City. Many religions and social groups followed this practice. Some placements worked well others resulted in torture of children.
Loved this book. Different story line than what I’ve read before. Loved characters & the way it was written.
Love this series and writer
Rachel Wesson is a great author & I’m looking forward to reading more of her books
An entertaining way to learn about the history of our country in regard to child welfare. A reminder we have come a long way, but still have a way to go. I found the book somewhat predictable in regard to the characters and their outcomes. It would probably make a good ‘Life Time’ movie.
good read and perspective on history that most never consider
I truly enjoyed this book.
Starting in the slums and tenements of New York City, this book comes to an end almost in Wyoming. Maura, Bridget, Michael, Kathleen, Shane, Liam, and Annie are siblings whose parents have died. Bridget and Kathleen work in a sweatshop, but both are fired when Bridget injures him as she spurns the advances of the owner’s son. After this the whole family has to flee their one room home. The siblings end up at Carmel’s House, a sanctuary for women and children. Lily, the founder of the sanctuary, befriends Bridget and her siblings. This heartwarming book follows Bridget as she accompanies an orphan train that includes Liam and Annie. The first in a series, this book is a great read.
Better than watching a soap opera – read it instead. And I mean this in the nicest way possible. Grim at times, rose-colored glasses at times. But realistic.
Great story and thought provoking. Amazing story about the Orphan Trains. So many children to place and all desiring loving homes but many were abused and were merely indentured servants.
This book just sucked you in and didn’t let go until you finished the book. (3:30 am!) haha. Great read but so very emotional.
This book made me cry before it made me cheer!
I liked that the story did not drag and constant repeats.
I can’t stand it when an author repeats the same thing in 20 ways. Very brave main character to want to keep her family together
As I read the first book, I just couldn’t put it down. When I finished it, I had to know what was going to happen so I bought the second and third books so that I could keep reading with no interruptions. I really enjoyed all three books. This was the first time I had read this author and I fell in love with her stories. Loved all the characters and wanted to know how things turned out for each of them. I highly recommend all three books!
These orphan trains ran for almost 75 years. We should have more stories about these children
I couldn’t put it down! I read all three in the series.
Enjoyed this book. Did not know that orphans were treated this way. Very informative. Makes you think what could have happened in the past.
This novel wasn’t terrible, but neither was it a page-turner. The story was a bit too predictable and the writing was fairly simplistic, at a YA level, but the reasons for Bridget’s escape from New York via the orphan train are not suitable topics for young readers. A more sophisticated writing style geared toward adult readers would have been welcome. Since some of the orphan train passengers did not have a happily-ever-after outcome, there should have been more instances of the darker side of the operation for a more balanced adult novel.
I got this book from a BookBub deal and have already purchased the next 2. Characters are well developed and you are rooting for them. I will say from first to late middle of the book, my character relationship predictions were off so definitely not predictable. Just started book 2, so we’ll see how I do carrying over from #1 to #2.
I love historical fiction/old west type books but after so many they get old. Generic old west, boy meets girl, etc. I liked that Orphan Train Escape was set at least partially in New York. The description of the smells and the scenes in or around the tenements really help me visualize the setting.
Overall, a great read. Would recommend buy the Books #1-3 set!