An excellent book . I would recommend.

I really found this book interesting. It looks at the lives of two different yet similar people, one a teenage foster kid, the other an old widow.

This is a fiction book but is well researched and looks at the 'orphan train' which was run by The Children's Aid Society between 1854 and 1929 in America, when orphans and street kids were shipped from New York to Midwest USA for 'adoption' - with many of the older children ending up working in 'sweatshops' or as farm labours. The story starts with Niamh Power's journey from Country Ireland, to New York then after family tragedy being put on the orphan train. Her heartbreaking story will move you, the fact that it is based on real like makes it even more heartbreaking.

Christina blends well the past (Niamh's story) with the present (Foster Kid Molly's story) without things being two confusing as some two-part stories can be.

This story helps tell the story of over 200,000 kids who were sent on these Orphan Trains, as well as showing that even unhappy, rebellious foster kids can learn something from old ladies at the end of their time, and maybe they can even learn something as well.

The me the story ended sad (although not in the expected way) but despite the topic I found this a heart warming read.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book ‘Orphan Train’. The story of the ‘orphan trains’ was fascinating however very sad that children were placed in this predicament back in the 1920’s.

Christina Baker Kline entwines Vivian’s life story to the present day and the problems faced by Molly in today’s society. Both these women show great courage in dealing with the challenges that life has thrown them and together form a bond because of their experiences.

This is an intriguing, affecting book combines factual history with a moving story and conclusion. I would recommend the book to other readers.

Orphan train started off well, we're looking at two very similar life paths over a large period of time, one reflecting, one taking the journey afresh.

I was more interested in learning more about the midwest trains that took orphans and street children from cities and placed them with homes in the Midwest. At the time the book was focusing on was when the Depression hits and families are under pressure to look after themselves, and don't particularly have the inclination or resources to look after a child that isn't theirs when they were using them as slave labour in the first place.

Vivian is shunted between unsuitable homes for most of her young life. The stories are well told and compelling. You want her to overcome adversity and succeed. The situations are often powerful and evocative.

Molly is young, and also displaced. She's been in more foster homes than she can count, and she has everything she needs on her - a charm necklace and a turtle tattoo. She's looking for her identity and her future.

Molly is caught stealing a book (aaaah haven't we all wanted to do that!) and is required to do 50 hours of community service... usual type of introduction into a fish out of water/elder telling story tale. Present day Vivian is a little bland, and not quite filled out as a character. You get the feeling she's a smiling, beneficent old lady, but there's really not much to go by.

The resolution to the story is a little disappointing, and a lot of the novel was spent setting up the knowledge of the orphan trains and the hardships the children faced. Once Vivian reached a certain age, the story tends to drop off, and the romance aspects of both Vivian and Molly's lives feel underdeveloped for me. Especially when you meet Dutchy as a young boy, you want to know his story and how he gets to become the young man we see later.

The last part of the book that disappointed me was Molly's situation, the interim arrangements feel too flimsy for me to think the story concluded appropriately.

Orphan Train is a well-written and emotional story about the unlikely bond between an old woman and a teenager, and a forgotten part of American history.

The novel shifts between the present and past, telling the story of 17-year-old Molly whos close to outgrowing the foster care system and 91-year-old Vivian Daly whose life parallels Mollys in many ways. To avoid juvie, Molly spends her community service hours helping Vivian sort through the many possessions stored away in the attic. The pair discover that they have more in common than they would have ever realised - theyre both orphans and have experienced a number of foster homes between them. The flashbacks to Vivans past reveal the full extent of what shes endured, since she left her home in Ireland and her birth name, Niamh, behind, including a trip on the orphan train.

Before reading this book, I didnt know about the orphan trains. Its an aspect of American history that I wasnt familiar with, though the book has inspired me to do some research on it. In the narrative itself, it seems well-researched and it was very interesting to read about. Through Niamhs eyes, the reader gets a good perspective of what its like - the good and the bad of her situation, not only with the trains but also with the foster care system in general. I found the acknowledgements at the back of the book, that included info and photographs, particularly interesting to read.

One of my only criticisms was that it was too short - I especially thought that the last section of the book was rushed. I would have loved to have spent more time with the characters, as I had grown so attached to them by the end.

Though Molly and Vivs stories are actually quite different, there are noticeable similarities too. I liked the relationship they formed throughout and how they each helped each other in a way. It demonstrated the importance of sharing stories and simply the hope and beauty that can come from dark times.

I didnt care for Molly as much as I did Vivian. Molly didnt seem as realistic and I struggled to empathise with her. I think that I would have cared for her if the author would have developed her character more, as it felt like she was trying too hard to establish Molly as an angsty teenager and I didnt see as much depth to her. Her parts of the story were written in third person, so I did feel slightly detached from her, in comparison to Viv. However, I did appreciate their relationship.



Vivian, however, I loved. The flashback chapters were my favourite. Her story was so tragic and though Ive never experienced that she did, I felt like I was there with her every step of her way. I just felt so much for her character. She was also very likeable when she was older. Where I felt that Molly was unrealistic and her characterisation quite forced, Vivian (or Niamh) felt real. Her development was fantastic and it was very clear to see how she had evolved, through her different names and identities.

Orphan Train was not overly complex or emotional in its style of writing, but its beautiful in its simplicity. With the flashback chapters in particular, I felt so emotionally attached to the story and characters. Its a very sad story but theres also hope to it. Its also very thought-provoking in the way that its made me put myself into the shoes of orphans and try to understand what it must be like. Both Molly and Vivs pasts were harsh in different yet similiar ways. Kilne did a great job at representing both the harshness and beauty of such lives.

It was very well-written and I loved the history elements but one of the main strengths of the book is its heart. Id highly recommend it to people who enjoy historical fiction but also those who love the kind of story they can give their heart and soul to.

Molly and Vivian are two striking characters whose development we witness at intervals throughout Orphan Train. We meet Molly, who in 2011 is living in foster care and dealing with the difficulties that arise from this situation. We are also introduced to Vivian, an elderly Irish immigrant who reflects on her past. She tells her tale about riding the Orphan Train in the from New York City to Minnesota as a child with the aim of finding a family to take her in after her parents had died. Although we are told stories from both Molly and Vivians viewpoints, it is Vivians tale that drives this narrative and keeps the reader engaged.

I first thought this book would be too sentimental for my liking, yet I found myself fascinated by the story of the Orphan Train. I appreciated Klines ability to make Vivians journey, and subsequent placements, feel harrowing and desperate. Yet, she held back from making the story too vivid and gruesome as what some children had experienced could have been far worse than poor Vivian. She provides a glimpse of what more could have happened, but thankfully does not drag out this experience and makes her point without causing the reader endure this horror.

I could not help but identify similarities with the classic Anne of Green Gables and the plight of orphan children as cheap labour and second-class citizens during this era. Vivian is even given a copy of this famous story by a kind school teacher during a particularly difficult time and in turn passes it on to Molly. In that manner, while most people see Molly as a wayward teen, Vivian identifies a kindred spirit and understands the challenges that Molly faces.

In a way Vivians story is a message to Molly. It was wonderful to see Vivian make a success of her life and this possibility is not-so-subtly communicated to Molly throughout the book. Vivian had built up the department store inherited from the last, and most kind, foster family which resulted in her present-day residence in a mansion. Despite this, however the tragedy in Vivians story continues until the final pages. She may have eventually come to live with a kindly couple as a teenager, but Vivian never feels any real affection for them, or from them. A brief re-encounter with a boy from her past brings her great happiness but sadly this joy is short lived. In the end it is Molly who helps her to find that happiness that has been missing from her long life.

I read this book in a day and wished that it had been a little bit longer. It ended a bit abruptly and conveniently. I would have liked to have seen what Molly did next, rather than simply accepting her conversion from troubled teen to a well-adjusted young adult. The value of this book is in the story/history being shared. Klines writing was simple and her descriptions lacklustre at times. I can also appreciate that the negative portrayal of foster care could confront some families who provide wonderful out of home care for children.

Overall however, I enjoyed this as a quick, interesting read about a subject I knew nothing about. It kept my attention and inspired me to investigate this topic further. I would be interested to read this with a Book Club as I wished I had someone else to talk to about the story!

Christina Baker Kline tells the story of Molly, a foster kid living in Maine in 2011, as well as the story of Niamh, an Irish immigrant, orphaned in 1929. Their stories are skilfully intertwined, with part of the book taking place in 2011, and parts flashing back to the 1930s. Niamhs journey with different families was particularly touching and it was interesting to learn about the so-called orphan trains, which ran from the eastern US to the Midwest between 1854 and 1929. The characters were likeable and the stories were interesting- I couldnt put this book down. I found the ending a bit clichd, but on the whole I really enjoyed reading Orphan Train and would highly recommend it.

Every once in awhile you come upon a gem of a book that will leave a mark upon your bookworm heart, regardless of the somewhat bleak cover. Orphan Train is neither a fairy tale nor a tragedy but rather a story of survival of the darkness that life can throw your way.

A series of unfortunate events in her young life come to a head when a very badly thought out action leads Molly Ayer to choose between juvie or 50 hours of community service... Seems life has hit an all time low for this smart talking, angst ridden, OCD 17 year old Native American Goth.

Clean out an old lady's attic, a pretty straightforward task right? But the prim Vivian Daly is not at all what she seems and as each box is opened Molly uncovers a hidden past, buried secrets and perhaps a kindred soul. Suddenly a community service project evolves into something much more, with the potential to change the life of more than just one woman.

This book surprised me on many different emotional levels and I found it easy to read, devouring it in one day. Orphan Train is truly a hidden treasure, a great bookclub suggestion with interesting historical facts to discuss and a reading group guide enclosed at the back of the book.

If you are a fan of Posie Graeme-Evan's The Dressmaker or The Linnet Bird by Linda Holeman and therefore not afraid of gritty historical fiction with heart, pick up Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. You will not be disappointed.