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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One of my Favorites!
I absolutely loved this story from beginning to end.
Entertaining with good plot.
The Orphan Trains are a little-known part of American history that is told in this fictionalized account that kept me enthralled.
I had no idea that children in this country were essentially sold. In some happy situations these youngsters became members of the family and were raised as beloved children. However, in too many cases these children were taken in literally as slave laborers and were forced to work hard for very little. Reading it shook me up!
Historical Fiction
Love historical fiction!
One if my all time favorites.
I knew very little about the Orphan Trains. Now I feel like a know much more.
I liked how the main character took so many twists and turns through her life, not always for the better, but somehow growing in spirit all along.
Just reread this for my book club. the author does an excellent job of relating the facts about the orphan trains in a realistic and informative manner. The characters lend much to the story line. The adversity that so many children had to overcome in that era makes me thankful for a stable childhood.
My book club and I enjoyed this book immensely. It was a little rough getting started, but once into it, it was hard to put down. I learned a lot, too, as one sometimes can from a well researched and beautifully written novel.
Gave me information I didn’t know about the experience!
I read this a very long time ago, but, the story stays with me. The sign of a very good book
Wonderful to learn part of our country’s history. All Little House on the Prairie fans will love it
Read this for book Club. It was one of those eye openers. We all enjoyed the book and discussing the book. Learned historical things we had no idea took place.
Another in site on the German Jews and how they survived through the war. The circus I put added an extra twist.
I loved this book! The history was very interesting and the story well told.
Great book about orphan children being sent out west to families. Based on a true story.
Wonderful read. Couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend!!
Very sad true story of a time in history. Would recommend this to anyone interested in orphan’s or foster system.