The #1 New York Times BestsellerNow featuring a sneak peek at Christina’s forthcoming novel A Piece of the World, coming February 2017.Christina Baker Kline’s #1 New York Times bestselling novel—the captivating story of a 91-year-old woman with a hidden past as an orphan-train rider and the teenage girl whose own troubled adolescence leads her to seek answers to long-buried questions…now with an … leads her to seek answers to long-buried questions…now with an extended scene that addresses the number one question readers ask, and an excerpt from Kline’s upcoming novel A Piece of the World.
“A lovely novel about the search for family that also happens to illuminate a fascinating and forgotten chapter of America’s history. Beautiful.”—Ann Packer
Between 1854 and 1929, so-called orphan trains ran regularly from the cities of the East Coast to the farmlands of the Midwest, carrying thousands of abandoned children whose fates would be determined by pure luck. Would they be adopted by a kind and loving family, or would they face a childhood and adolescence of hard labor and servitude?
As a young Irish immigrant, Vivian Daly was one such child, sent by rail from New York City to an uncertain future a world away. Returning east later in life, Vivian leads a quiet, peaceful existence on the coast of Maine, the memories of her upbringing rendered a hazy blur. But in her attic, hidden in trunks, are vestiges of a turbulent past.
Seventeen-year-old Molly Ayer knows that a community service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping her out of juvenile hall. But as Molly helps Vivian sort through her keepsakes and possessions, she discovers that she and Vivian aren’t as different as they appear. A Penobscot Indian who has spent her youth in and out of foster homes, Molly is also an outsider being raised by strangers, and she, too, has unanswered questions about the past.
Moving between contemporary Maine and Depression-era Minnesota, Orphan Train is a powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of second chances, and unexpected friendship.
more
A history lesson of what our country did that is so shameful. Extremely well written. Could not put this book down
A great historical fiction which I feel closely mirrors those irphans’ Experience.
Excellent, intense
Unbelievable that this happened in my lifetime
A remarkable story
This really happened so historical
This was historical and informative about an era that you just don’t think much about. The story weaves between the present and the past and the parallel lives of the young heroine and the older lady who has lived a long and somewhat tragic life. 4.5 stars.
I I liked this book A lot It was well written and kept my interest it shows how an unexpected person can make the difference in another person’s life It tells the truth circumstances of postwar abandoned children and how our country dealt with that Certainly was not something our country to be proud of and explains why I had never heard …
I’d always wondered about these children. This was a wonderful book and quite enlightening!
Interesting, information and it really kept your attentiin!
Very good, I couldn’t put it down.
I love historical novels with this book I came away with insight into orpan children’s plight in our history.
It’s a sad story about children who, through no fault of their own, ended up in situations not of their choosing, some well-cared for, but many sadly misused and abused.
Loved the way the story intertwined the characters lives
Tugged at my heartstrings
Two separate stories: one in Minnesota in the 1930’s, the second one in Maine in 2011. Vivien is the orphan in both stories. Fascinating interweaving.
Christina Baker Klein tells a wonderful story. The characters are alive and I could “feel” their emotions and the way their lives intertangle with one another. I recommend this book.
Loved this book! I recommend it to everybody!
I loved, loved, loved this book!
About a difficult time in our history.