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
Too quirky for me
So many people don’t know this part of our history. I’m glad to see people searching for info on the Orphans who deserve to be known. Margie
Read this book for a book group. It is beautifully written but sad, too, to think of the Real Orphan Train.
What I enjoyed most about Christina Baker Kline’s novel “Orphan Train” was how she gave life to a slice of history I’d never known of before. The young orphaned Irish girl’s voice is so authentic and convincing, I had trouble believing she’s a figment of the author’s imagination and not a close relative. The writing created such luminous visuals, …
Keep in mind that i am not one to read, but i was forced to read “Animal Farm” by George Orwell for a final. Whilst looking in Barnes and Noble i came across this book. Never in my life would i have thought that i would be so addicted to a book, that actually came clear to me (the words in books usually blow over my head) and made me feel like i …
Orphans had no rights & were shuffled all over the country. Some were luckier than others
I read this book after learning that several orphans ended up in the area where I live. I had no idea of the plight of orphans during this era. This book opened to eyes to the tragic handling of orphans and how they were treated. I would definitely recommend reading this book.
a part of history I was never aware of
An amazing story. Learned a great deal!
Incredibly sad
Heartbreaking, yet hopeful. Loved this book and the window on events in history. Characters are well drawn. Really engaging book. Definitely recommend.
1. If you read one review, skip the book. That is how predictable it is.
2. The most ridiculous stero-typing ever written.
3. Spend 1/2 the book rolling your eyes.
Good part. Story of the Orpan train was interesting. That part of the story was about a 1/4 of the book.
Did not know this piece of our country’s history and we should all know
the stories of these children.
Based on fact – interesting glimpse of a period in history most people don’t know about.
I never heard about this time in American history. From the confusion and heartbreak of finding themselves in a new town with a new family – often adopted just to help with labor – to going into adulthood not always knowing where you come from or who your family really is, the description of these events are heartrending! Worth the read!
A piece of American history told through the eyes of two generations. Very interesting.
Loved it
Intriguing story of 2 women, one elderly, one a teen. Both were “orphaned” and now the elderly woman tells her story of her life, traveling on the orphan train, to the younger one. Beautifully written.
Reread 3/24/19 – 3/25/19 – I enjoyed this book more the 2nd time I read it! Molly is a “juvie” in a foster home. Because she tried to steal a copy …
It’s always a pleasure to come across a book that uncovers yet another historical event. It’s even more rewarding when the author does so with such skill and sentiment that its revelation leaves an indelible mark on the reader. I absolutely loved this novel, both for its evocative prose and its beautiful handling of a heart-rending theme: orphaned …
Could not put this book down!