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 very important historical book
A.very interesting segment of history
The most amazing book I’ve read in years! I have reread this book three times since I bought it and it’s amazing!!
Before I read this book, I had no idea this situation had happened 🙁
This book told me about a period of history that I had never heard of. In the early 1930’s, train loads of orphans from the big cities were gathered up and sent westward to be “adopted” by new families. Basically, the kids were being sold as slaves to western families. Older boys went first because they were good farm labor. Girls, of course, …
I found this book to be a good read. I was not aware of Orphan Trains prior to reading this book. Interesting
This book was well written and educated me on a slice of history that I never knew happened
Learned a lot about disparate communities of people in WWII. Each group coped with the realities of that time in their lives very differently.
An eye-opening revelation of historical facts coupled with a work of fiction makes for a great read.
I never knew about this tragic situation that so many children were forced into. While it worked well for some, it was tragic for so many other children.
Very interested in the facts. I plan on reading future books by this author
I loved this story! I have tried to read other Christina Baker Kline books and this is perhaps one of my favorites. A really interesting story! I thoroughly enjoyed it and couldn’t put it down! Recommend to all!
It’s been maybe a year or two since reading The Orphan Train. But, I am still haunted by its tale. It’s based on the true story of orphans within New York City being placed on trains, shipping them West. At designated stops throughout the Midwest, men and women could “adopt” one child, a sibling group, or several orphans from the train. A few went …
wonderful story read it for book club and had a wonderful discussion
again read this awhile ago but loved it. learned so much and the characters were wonderful
Loved this book.
A glimpse into a bit of history that has been all but forgotten!
A well-written book that tells the story of two young girls — one who traveled on one of the orphan trains at the turn of the century and one currently going through the foster care system. Both went through rough patches where they were mistreated and unloved but this is ultimately the story of how they both survive, find each other and gain an …
Another book club read…I felt so sorry for those little children.
I loved this novel.