Orphan Train

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
This is a beautifully written story about the unlikely friendship and bond that develops between Vivian, an elderly woman, and Molly, a troubled teenage girl. Despite their 74-year age difference, they come to find they share tragic childhood experiences that, until now, no one else in their respective lives have been able to relate to.

During the years between 1854 and 1929, more than 200,000 orphaned, abandoned and homeless children from the East Coast were transported by train to the farmlands of the Midwest. These so-called orphans were then 'adopted' by Midwest families. Babies and healthy older boys were chosen first -- as the boys were wanted for field work -- and older girls were generally chosen last. Some children were fortunate to be adopted by kind, loving families, but most began an indentured life of hard labor and servitude.

The author cleverly weaves a relatively unknown part of American history with the present-day struggles of a teen in the foster care system. The result is an impactful tale of hope, resilience and strength as the two main characters help each other to solve unanswered questions that have troubled both their lives.

Our book club members were unfamiliar with Orphan Trains and did not know about this time in our history. Pleasantly, the book prompted many of us to conduct our own research to learn more about the real Orphan Train riders. We agreed this was an enjoyable and realistic book with vividly depicted characters we felt sympathetic to. The situational descriptions were believable and we found the events, jumping between different narrators in past then present and back again, were surprisingly easy to follow. The events were sad, at times tragic, but in the end uplifting and hopeful.

This is a story that left us thinking about the lost children of history and the lost children of today. We strongly recommend this well-researched book, and promise it will be a novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading the last page.

We met at Spicy Talk Bistro in Redmond, an exceptional Szechuan restaurant that was new to most of us. Although the service was a bit to be desired, we all agreed the food was excellent and well worth the visit. In particular, the hand-shaved noodles and green onion pancake were amazing will ensure our return.

By Mari Colbourne