Orphan Train

By Christina Baker Kline

Orphan Train - Christina Baker Kline
  • Release Date: 2013-04-02
  • Genre: Literary Fiction
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 2,634 Ratings

Description

The #1 New York Times Bestseller

Now featuring a sneak peek at Christina's forthcoming novel The Exiles, coming August 2020.

“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.

Reviews

  • Touching Story

    4
    By Puplove56
    A very easy read with interesting details and a satisfying conclusion. I was not disappointed!
  • Wow, hooked from the first page.

    5
    By Ashphelps
    What a great story. So glad I finally read it and so sad it’s over.
  • Great Read

    5
    By kidney001
    I loved this book. It was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. A must read in my opinion !
  • Engrossing

    5
    By read1st
    The two main characters have so much color and heart even given the dreadful circumstances in which they grew up. Kept me interested till the end.
  • Touching story, life is a full circle!

    5
    By st1905
    Thoroughly enjoyable book,could not put it down till the end.
  • Orphan Train

    5
    By Momoof7
    Wonderful book
  • Totally enjoyed this book

    5
    By Patricia BK
    Great read! I’m finding historical fiction to be my new favorite books. Sometimes it was hard to keep the characters straight because of the time periods, locations, and even changing names, but I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship between Molly and Vivian.
  • Great Book

    5
    By Celeste77mc
    Loved this story and the writing style
  • Incredible book

    5
    By Bmartn2011
    This book is incredible! I had no idea that Orphan Trains existed in this country
  • Beautiful

    5
    By dionxmh_
    This is an absolute beautiful book. I definitely recommend if you like books that merge the past with today.