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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Captures a period of American history not well known to the general public. The story shows how good intentions can have heartbreaking consequences for young innocent victims.
I realy enjoyed this book!
Wow! I had no idea… this historical fiction is a must read!
Great read
One of our book club’s favorites; historical fiction at it’s best!
this was a great book. I enjoyed the history as well as taking you through someone’s journey. Definitely a good book club read
This story made me aware of something in our history never spoken about. Unwanted children shipped off on a train with no rights, no protections, and often no future. Brought to light the best and worst in humanity. Truly an eye opener and a page turner.
The plot depicts what really happened at the turn of the last century, as orphanswere trained, as far as to California. Oneofmybest friend’s father was an orphan and sent to CA from Chicago.he met another young boy, who became his life-long friend. After I read the book, I bought it for this friend, so she would know about her ‘Roots’ she loved …
Moving. Thoroughly enjoyed this. The history and characters grab you.
Tells the story of Orphans from New York City shipped west to foster families.
Historical fiction
It was beautifully written, and a wonderful story.
Well-written historical novel includes the good and bad experiences of one child on the Orphan Trains.
I loved this heartfelt book.
What an awful thing the country did to those children!
Sad but interesting
Excellent read about a sad chapter in American history.
I knew and interviewed a lady who came to our area on an orphan train. Her view of the experience was more positive than that shown in the book. She did know kids who were not in good experiences, but thought most were better off than they would have been otherwise.
Such a sad situation. Truly enjoyed the book for its historical content. Once I started it, I just could not put it down. Historical fiction or nonfiction just “floats my boat” so to speak.
Excellent and inspiring. Fascinating historical information about orphans sent to work on farms in the midwest.