Her mother, sophia kaminsky hillesheim, 1917 orphan train rider, was one of the children of the orphan trains taking part in a phenomenal journey from new york city to the midwest. My grandfather and his brother were on an orphan train that left nyc and went to the northernmost area of ny around the turn of the century. After my book club chose orphan train for our next meetup, i picked up my copy and. The orphan train movement was a supervised welfare program that transported orphaned and. There my grandfather, the youngest and smallest of the children, was finally taken by a childless farm couple. Please use the link provided below to generate a unique link valid for 24hrs. And many teenage boys and girls went to orphan train sponsoring organizations simply in search of work or a free ticket out of the city. Heres a list of books to learn more about the orphan trains. Between 1854 and 1929, over 250,000 orphans and surrendered children. Placing out in america bison book marilyn irvin holt on. They were all written up in the same record books and, on the whole. Jul 20, 2018 but the orphan train contributed to ideas we take for granted today. She is the author of seven novels, including orphan train, and has coauthored or edited five nonfiction books. A reunion in little falls on saturday will be the such midwestern what were orphan trains.
They were part of what is now known as the orphan train movement, a sweeping attempt to protect homeless, poor and orphaned children in a time before social welfare or foster care. By using our site you consent to our use of cookies. Paperback original orphan train is a gripping story of friendship and second chances from christina baker kline, author of bird in hand and the way life should be. Library journal in orphan train, christina baker kline seamlessly knits together the past and present of two women, one young and one old. These children traveled on what became popularly called orphan trains. Orphan train was a mix of favorite childhood books of mine such as anne of green gables, heidi, and understood betsy, and ms. One of the book s protagonists, an irish orphan, is packed. An orphan train story american west series book 1 kindle edition by stapleton, laura. Read orphan train absolutely for free at readanybook. The orphan train movement was a supervised welfare program that transported orphaned and homeless children from crowded eastern cities of the united states to foster homes located largely in rural areas of the midwest. When the orphan train movement began, it was estimated that 30,000 abandoned children were living on. Orphan trains brought homeless nyc children to work on. Apr 09, 2019 they were part of what is now known as the orphan train movement, a sweeping attempt to protect homeless, poor and orphaned children in a time before social welfare or foster care.
Books similar to orphan train goodreads share book. An american friend read a novel about the orphan trains so i bought a nonfiction book about it worth every penny. Aug 18, 2018 the orphan train by christina baker kline moves back and forth between two stories that of a young orphan girl in the early twentieth century and that of a teenager in the modernday foster care system. Niamh pronounced neev was an irish immigrant girl sent on an orphan train from new york city to minnesota in the late 1920s. The main difference between the two versions, other than length, is the protagonists age. I particularly enjoyed the authors discussion of how child rearing views were changing during this time in american history. Kansas state historical society in the beginning of the orphan train movement, the trains that took children across country were little better than cattle cars and only had makeshift bathroom facilities. Historical fiction books national orphan train complex.
Renee wendinger is from minnesota and is the youngest of five children. Christina baker kline born 1964 is an american novelist. On the train, niamh befriends dutchy, a twelveyearold boy, and takes care of carmine, a toddler. Orphan train by christina baker kline 20, paperback. A community service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping molly out of juvie and worse.
Orphan train is a harrowing but ultimately uplifting story about this historical phenomenon. A solid contribution on a littleknown phenomenon, this book. Between 1854 and 1929, nearly a quarter of a million orphaned children were resettled under what came to be known as the orphan train movement. Orphan train is a powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of second chances, and unexpected friendship. Christina baker klines orphan train is an unforgettable story of friendship and second chances that highlights a littleknown but historically significant movement in americas pastand it includes a special ps section for book clubs featuring insights, interviews, and more. The orphan trains, by marilyn irvin holt, is simply excellent.
From 1854 to 1929 an estimated 250,000 orphaned, abandoned, and homeless children were placed throughout the united states and canada during the orphan train movement. In orphan train, the central featured historical event is the orphan train movement, which involved relocating orphans from. We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. I couldnt believe id never heard about this major event in american history. Between 1854 and 1929, an estimated 200,000 american childrensome. The orphan train by christina baker kline questions.
Christina baker klines adapts her bestselling orphan train for young readers with orphan train girl. Readers who are unfamiliar with this episode in american history might be surprised to learn about the hardships and be struck by the parallels between niamhvivians experience nearly a hundred years ago and the foster care system today. They had no idea that they were on an orphan train or that they had become. Riders on the orphan train is a novel about a little known piece of american history. Moving between contemporary maine and depressionera minnesota, orphan train is a powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of second chances, and unexpected friendship.
A quarter million children rode the orphan trains from 1854 to 1929. Christina baker klines new novel incorporates a true piece of american history. Rich in detail and epic in scope, the train rider is a powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of second chances, of unexpected friendships, and of the secrets we carry with us that keep us from finding out who we are. When the orphan train movement began, it was estimated that 30,000 abandoned children were living on the streets of new york city. But the orphan train contributed to ideas we take for granted today. Kline has written six other novels orphan train, orphan train girl, the way life should be, sweet water, bird in hand, and desire lines and written or edited five works of nonfiction.
Between 1854 and 1929, socalled orphan trains ran regularly from the cities of the east coast to the farmlands of the midwest, carrying thousands of abandoned children. It is a good, scholarly social history that provides more analytical information than james manguson and dorothea petries orphan train lj 61578. One of the books protagonists, an irish orphan, is packed. The question and answer section for orphan train is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. Between 1854 and 1929, an estimated 200,000 or more homeless and. Klines book tells the story of a 91yearold woman with a hidden past as an orphan train rider. One of the book s protagonists, an irish orphan, is packed onto a train and sent to the midwest. Novel follows the orphan train to minnesota minnpost. Ann packermoving between contemporary maine and depressionera minnesota, orphan train is a powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of second chances, and unexpected friendship. Many arkansans can trace their roots to children who were relocated to arkansas. Orphan train will hold you in its grip as their fascinating tales unfold. Watch the orphan trains american experience official site pbs. These stories reinforce my belief in the dignity and worth of the individual. Written by rachel walman assistant director, dimenna childrens history museum sources.
Includes pictures includes accounts of the orphan trains written by kids in the program includes. Mns surviving orphan train riders cant make the trip, but their journey still inspires the orphan trains stopped running more than 80 years ago, but their legacy rolls on. Meticulously researched and yet full of the breath of life, klines novel takes us on an historical journey where survival depends upon ones own. Vivian traveled from nyc to minnesota as a young girl on one of the infamous orphan trains that was used to get orphans out of the cities into the country where they might have a better opportunity to find families and to be able to make a good life. From christina baker kline comes a novel about two women. Just before dutchy goes home with a farmer in minneapolis, minnesota, he and niamh promise to find each other again someday. The term orphan trains is also misleading because a substantial number of the placedout children never took the railroad to their new homes, or even traveled very far. Created by the original team behind sparknotes, litcharts are the worlds best literature guides. Directory the story behind the writing of orphan train orphan train historical background vivian dalys 1929 orphan train journey the story behind the writing of orphan train dear reader, one holiday season, about a decade ago, an unexpected blizzard changed the course of my life. Orphan train is a book set in both the present day and the late 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. The orphan train movement in america was a unique experiment in child welfare. Cathy marie buchanan, nyt bestselling author of the day the falls stood still and the painted girls i loved this book. The goal of the movement was to get homeless and destitute children off the streets of new york and resettle them with families in the rural midwest. April 11, 20 christina baker klines new novel incorporates a true piece of american history.
In orphan train, christina baker kline seamlessly knits together the past and present of two women, one young and one old. Other chapters flash back to the period from 1929 through world war ii. Orphan train summary from litcharts the creators of sparknotes. Its a clear explanation of a phenomenon in american history which i never knew existed. After tragedy, young girl shipped west on orphan train. She was deposited with the byrnes, who wanted only child labor in a dressmaking enterprise. At the peak of the orphan train movement, 3,0004,000 children a year were traveling west. A lovely novel about the search for family that also happens to illuminate a fascinating and forgotten chapter of americas. On september a train set out from new york bound for dowagiac, michigan.
Jun 18, 2015 in the 1800s, the railroads faced a problem farm labor shortages along their newly expanded westward lines threatened profitability. Vivian traveled from nyc to minnesota as a young girl on one of the infamous orphan trains that was used to get orphans. Christina baker klines novel orphan train has ridden the new york times bestseller list for the past 15 weeks, becoming a favorite of book clubs across the. Othsafounded in 1986 in springdale washington and benton countiespreserves the history of the orphan train era, a period when thousands of children were relocated across the country. Penobscot indian molly ayer is close to aging out out of the foster care system. Christina baker kline, suzanne toren jessica almasy. A lovely novel about the search for family that also happens to illuminate a fascinating and forgotten chapter of american history. Not surprisingly, in 1853, they jumped at the chance to. Cornell a true story of two american boys living through the hardships of life and the times. Goodreads members who liked orphan train also liked. Apr 11, 20 after tragedy, young girl shipped west on orphan train christina baker klines new novel incorporates a true piece of american history. The orphan train by christina baker kline moves back and forth between two stories that of a young orphan girl in the early twentieth century.
Orphan train by christina baker kline this was one of those weekends when the sun poured in the bedroom window, providing enough light and warmth, on a pair of particularly cool and breezy days, to make stretching out on the bed and relaxing, surrounded by two dogs and a cat, the. Orphan train by christina baker kline book club discussion. Christina baker klines orphan train is an unforgettable story of friendship and second chances that highlights a littleknown but historically significant movement in americas pastand it includes a special ps section for book clubs featuring insights, interviews, and more penobscot indian molly ayer is close to aging out out of the foster. A novel about the orphan train movement in the us at the start of the.
Between 1854 and 1929, socalled orphan trains ran regularly from the cities of the east coast to the farmlands of the midwest, carrying thousands of abandoned children whose. With compassion and delicacy kline presents a littleknown chapter of american history and draws comparisons with the modernday foster care system. They take niamh to the childrens aid society, and the agency sends niamh out to the midwest on an orphan train. Kline reminds us that we never really lose anyone or anything orperhaps most importantlyourselves. After tragedy, young girl shipped west on orphan train christina baker klines new novel incorporates a true piece of american history.
Aug 08, 2016 the orphan train movement in america was a unique experiment in child welfare. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers. For more information on the national orphan train complex visit. The book is extremely wellwritten and absolutely riveting. Jan 24, 2015 a few days ago i posted my thoughts on orphan train by christina baker kline. The national orphan train complex in concordia, ks is a museum and research center dedicated to the orphan train movement, the various institutions that participated, and the children and agents who rode the trains.
Orphan train study guide from litcharts the creators of. In the 1800s, the railroads faced a problem farm labor shortages along their newly expanded westward lines threatened profitability. The american orphan trains ancestral findings podcast. Back in the mid1800s, there were not a lot of options for poor, homeless, abused, andor neglected children other. Welcome to the litcharts study guide on christina baker klines orphan train. This organization is dedicated to keeping the story of the orphan trains alive by hosting events, exhibitions, reunions and aiding in genealogical research. It is a little known fact of americas history and one i knew nothing about. The orphan trains are an overlooked aspect of our shared history that remind us of the resiliency of the human spirit, said lichtenwalner.
Orphan train by christina baker kline, paperback barnes. Apr 02, 20 vivians journey west was aboard an orphan train, a bit of misguided 1900sera social engineering moving homeless, destitute city children, mostly immigrants, into midwest families. Find books like orphan train from the worlds largest community of readers. The american orphan trains ancestral findings podcast af. One of the books protagonists, an irish orphan, is packed onto. Visiting my motherinlaw in fargo, north dakota, for a week with.
1444 406 253 23 480 1331 1491 846 542 19 1023 1263 531 1105 807 865 267 380 305 1000 36 217 1226 811 1246 565 629 884 222 273 618 896 931 687 850 881 66 301 470 1277 302 1116 1077 1020 812 171 554