Orphan Train Riders: Three Historical Fiction Stories that Shed Light on a Forgotten Chapter

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, thousands of orphaned and abandoned children in the United States were placed on trains and sent west to be adopted by families in need of farm labor. These children became known as "Orphan Train Riders."

Orphan Train Riders: Three Historical Fiction Stories

by Amanda Zieba

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1124 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	148 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Paperback	:	26 pages
Reading age	:	Baby - 12 years
Grade level	:	Kindergarten - 6
Item Weight	:	3.21 ounces
Dimensions	:	8 x 0.07 x 10 inches

FREE

Their journeys were often fraught with hardship and uncertainty, and their experiences have been largely overlooked by history. However, in recent years, a number of historical fiction stories have sought to shed light on this forgotten chapter and to give voice to the children who rode the Orphan Trains.

Three Heartbreaking Stories

1. "The Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline

Christina Baker Kline's novel, "The Orphan Train," tells the story of Vivian Daly, a 91-year-old woman who discovers her connection to the Orphan Train. As Vivian unravels the mystery of her past, she learns about the struggles and triumphs of her mother, Molly Ayer, who was sent from Ireland to America as a young orphan.

Kline's novel is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant exploration of the long-term effects of childhood trauma and the power of family to heal even the deepest wounds.

2. "Orphan Train" by Andrew Carroll

Andrew Carroll's non-fiction book, "Orphan Train," compiles the firsthand accounts of over 70 Orphan Train riders. Carroll traveled the country to interview these survivors, and their stories are heartbreaking, harrowing, and ultimately inspiring.

Through their voices, we learn about the horrors they endured and the resilience they displayed in the face of adversity. Carroll's book is an invaluable historical document that gives a voice to the forgotten.

3. "The Lost Children of the Orphan Train" by Marcia Thornton Jones

Marcia Thornton Jones' novel, "The Lost Children of the Orphan Train," is a fictionalized account of the experiences of three Orphan Train riders: Billy, Sarah, and Mary. The novel follows their journey from New York City to a small town in Kansas and explores the challenges they face as they try to adjust to their new lives.

Jones' novel is a moving and thought-provoking story about the search for identity, the importance of family, and the indomitable spirit of the human heart.

A Shared Legacy

While the three stories explored above are unique in their own way, they all share a common theme: the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The Orphan Train riders were subjected to unimaginable hardships, but they never gave up hope.

Their stories are a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. They are also a reminder of the importance of compassion and empathy, and of the need to reach out to those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

The Orphan Train Riders were a forgotten chapter in American history for far too long. However, thanks to the efforts of historians, writers, and survivors, their stories are now being told.

These stories are a valuable reminder of the importance of family, the resilience of the human spirit, and the need to care for the most vulnerable among us.

Orphan Train Riders: Three Historical Fiction Stories

by Amanda Zieba

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1124 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	148 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Paperback	:	26 pages
Reading age	:	Baby - 12 years
Grade level	:	Kindergarten - 6
Item Weight	:	3.21 ounces
Dimensions	:	8 x 0.07 x 10 inches

FREE