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.
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This is a great book. A little known period in our country’s history exposed.
Enjoyed learning about this era in time.
Astounished to read about this unknown, yet intriguing portion of American history!!
The characters were very real and sometimes tragic. I wanted everyone to have a happily ever after. Well-written and poignant.
Pretty interesting reading about this part of American history, about which many of us know nothing. Loved the min characters.
Enlightening Historical fiction about many of America’s ffotgotten young victims of the Great Depression.
Little talked about piece of history.
I liked the book but didn’t like the ending. It all fit together too nicely at the end.
I enjoyed the book. It introduced me to a part of our history I knew nothing about. Good book.
Reminds us of a time in history. I enjoyed the read and didn’t want to put it down.
I had heard of European orphan trains during the war, but not here in America. This was an interesting story of unlikely characters from different generations discovering how much they had in common.
Didn’t like the use of the “f” word. Could have avoided using it. So stopped reading it.
Read the Orphan Tale and it was a little disappointing. This book was well written. I really felt for these kids who lost everything. Then to get on a train not knowing who or when you were go to be wanted. And what need would you be filling in a persons life. Their babysitter, maid, the barn boy etc. Most were hired as unpaid help. Except for …
Nice story. I had read of the Orphan trains before and this was a nice story.
It helps so much to read of the difficult experiences others have gone through in their lives. I like the story line going between a young person and an old person who both suffered in their childhoods. Very thought provoking book based on historical truths.
This was a sad, but ultimately beautiful story of triumph over circumstance.
Like the learning that happens!
I really enjoyed this book!!! I had never heard of the orphan trains so this was very interesting to me. I loved the characters and the end of the book.
I couldn’t put it down! Those stories of the children tore at my heart.
I read this book a couple years ago so don’t remember specifics about it, but have recommended it to many friends since then. It was definitely a good read and worth the time.