Linda's Reviews > Orphan Train

Reading Orphan Train was like lifting the curtain on a part of our American history that many people are still unaware of. Thousands of children, the orphaned and the unwanted, were transported from cities of the East to the farmlands and small towns of the Midwest at the turn of the century and on into the Great Depression. It was a time of no background screening, minimal paperwork, and only a willingness to alleviate the hoards of children who were homeless for a multitude of reasons. While some children were better off under this limited system, so many were relegated to the life of an indentured servant, a built-in caregiver for other children, or a hardworking farmhand. If not placed, the remaining children were transported, once again, back to institutional life in the East until they became of age.

Christina Baker Kline has done an exceptional job of presenting the story of Niamh Power, a fictional character, who represents many aspects of a child's life under this system. Her research and background work is stellar in securing historically accurate depictions of the time period. The experiential background of this child will certainly open your eyes to the sad fate of some of these individuals. The additional insights and interviews with the author at the end of the book provided such an extension to her story.

What makes this such an exceptional read is Ms. Kline's use of a parallel story of current conditions alongside the telling of Niamh's life. It's not one story overshadowing the other. You are drawn both to the past and to the present with her adept use of characterizations. Not only is Ms. Kline talented in presenting the inner turmoil and emotions of the characters, but she paints the conditions, the settings, the interactions with a fine brush of satisfying details to be savored.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. Christina Baker Kline has caught my attention as an author whose works will always be memorable. Bravo!