Orphan Train: A Heartfelt Historical Novel Spanning Generations and Friendship

Molly is a troubled teen. She's been in and out of foster homes for years, and has learned if you don't depend on anyone, then you won't be let down. After getting herself in a little trouble, she is ordered to perform community service, and finds herself helping an elderly woman sort through boxes of memories in her attic.

Molly is troubled, but likable. And there is something special there. It's just that no one has taken the time to see her for who she really is. When she is given the opportunity to perform her community service assisting an elderly woman clean out her attic, she figures she'll just bide her time and get it over with as quickly and painlessly as possible. What she doesn't expect is to find a friend.

91-year-old Vivian knows that she has reached the end of her life, and it is the perfect time to sort through old boxes that hold old memories. As she sorts through boxes, we are led through Vivian's troubled past as an orphan, shipped cross-country by train from New York to Minnesota in hopes of finding her a home.

I was more fond of the scenes from the 30s than the current moments between Vivian and Molly. I often found the present-day scenes to be somehow unrealistic-- particularly the scenes between Molly and her foster parents.

The moments between Vivian and Dutchy were touching. The heartbreaks that this little girl endured were devastating and hard to read. You keep hoping she will catch a break and find some happiness and security.

You can see the parallels between Vivian and Molly, and as you hoped for the best for the young and vulnerable Vivian, you also find yourself hoping that Molly will find happiness and a place to call home.

My final word: I thought the scenes from Vivian's youth were fabulous! The scenes from Molly's interactions with her foster family seemed to lack...credibility. I liked the relationship that develops between Molly and Vivian, even though near the end some of their interactions seem a little hokey and overdone. Overall I really enjoyed this story, but mostly for the glimpses of the young hapless Vivian. The jumps to present day actually continually pulled me out of the story that I was immersed in, and the move felt somewhat awkward. They felt too much like two different stories. An "A" for the flashback scenes, a "C" for the present day scenes, giving it a "B" overall.

Loved! Loved! Loved this book. You fall in love with the characters from the start and begin to feel and understand every emotion they are going through. More importantly you learn about a piece of history that is never spoken about. In turn, I now would like to know more about the children that were put a train with a hope for a better life. Overall a must read that will have to captivated.

A quick fiction and somewhat historical read that reminds the reader how much of America was built on the backs of emigrants. My paternal grandmother was orphaned somewhere between Ellis Island and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho where she was adopted and then raised in Seattle. She came from Ireland with her parents and I have to wonder if perhaps she was a train rider. My research for her by her given name ended at Ellis, but this book provides some new research resources. It also weaves together two touching personalities and generations wonderfully.

I really enjoyed the book, and struggle between 4 and 5 stars. Finally, I settle on 4, as while it became an engaging fast read, it didn’t grip me overly emotionally as some other recent reads. But again, appreciated the characters, the story - learning about a bit of history...

I enjoyed this book. I really think it deserves about 3 1/2 stars but went with 4 because the history of the orphan train was so interesting. Very quick to read and really enjoyable.