KIRKUS REVIEWO?Connor (Will My Name Be Shouted Out?, 1996) crafts a vibrant, wide-ranging narrative of Charles Loring Brace?s child-welfare movement, which had a profound influence on America?s treatment of disadvantaged youth.Born in 1826 and raised in a staunchly religious New England household, Brace was seemingly made to serve his fellow human beings¥specifically the homeless children of New York City. He founded the Children?s Aid Society in 1853, and one year later the first load of street kids hoping for job training and perhaps new families steamed toward Dowagiac, Michigan. They were never called ?orphan trains? during Brace?s lifetime; he referred to his practice of sending children to the country to be indentured or (in the best cases) adopted as ?placing out.? In marvelously evocative and eminently readable prose, O?Connor relates an all-American story of explosive urban growth, of families destroyed by a nascent capitalism, of the West?s myths and promises. First-hand accounts from some of the 250,000 orphans who rode the trains between 1854 and 1929 provide a window into this era, and much space is dedicated to the movement?s most stunning successes and failuresÂ¥from John Brady (who became governor of Alaska) to Charley Miller (who was hanged for a double murder). O?Connor balances these stories with a well-constructed chronicle of the ups and downs of the Children?s Aid Society. He also delineates changing perceptions about disadvantaged children that eventually led much of the nation to dismiss Brace as a figurehead for outmoded philosophies. O'Connor?s meticulous research studs the narrative with many marvelous details, from a description of Frederick Law Olmsted?s Staten Island farm to the atmosphere of Brace?s Newsboy?s Lodging House.Extremely engaging history.Pub Date: Feb. 27th, 2001ISBN: 0-395-84173-9Page count: 384ppPublisher: Houghton MifflinReview Posted Online: May 20th, 2010Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1st, 2001

I give it a four because it successfully tugged at my heart, though I felt like Molly's story was sort of tacked on as a storytelling device that wasn't really necessary. Vivian's story was really enough on its own. ( )

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline is a beautiful novel following the lives of two girls who have become orphans.

Molly Ayer is almost eighteen and is living through the child welfare system. It's not easy and she hasn't had the best of lives, but she's doing alright. She finds herself in a bit of trouble when she steals a library book which leads her to having to complete community service. Somehow, she begins helping a lovely 91-year-old woman named Vivian clean her house and the two form a beautiful but very unexpected friendship.

Or other timeline follows a young Irish immigrant girl who was orphaned in New York City. She traveled on the Orphan Train that took young orphans to random destinations to be adopted. Her life was tough but she managed to turn out alright...

These two stories intertwine and show the power of women, the persistence and strength of children, and a life full of second chances.

This book pulled at my heartstrings and almost made me weep! It's so beautifully written, so wonderfully engaging, and just an all around amazing read. It made me sad but by the end it warmed my heart up so much. I'm so happy I read this book because it truly opened my eyes to something I didn't know ever happened - Orphan Trains. While the story itself is not true, it is based on historical facts. Orphans did get put on trains and travelled across America to find their "forever" (or not so forever...) homes. The orphans weren't all treated fairly and life was tough. My heart aches knowing this was the lives of many people... and hopefully we are doing better. I truly hope we are.

I highly recommend this book for contemporary fiction lovers or someone who loves a good theme in their books. It's marvelous!

Five out of five stars. ( )

I was at first disappointed with the layout of this story. It was not at all what I was expecting, but it grew on me and about midway through I got rid of the chip on my shoulder and really began to enjoy the story. It bounces back and forth between present-day (2011) Molly, a gothic troubled 17-year-old in foster care, and the memories of a 91-year-old woman named Vivian, who was an orphan on the train back in 1929 when she was very young. Set in fictitious Spruce Harbor, Maine, Molly and Vivian find they have a lot in common and develop a lasting friendship and help each other through some pain while Molly cleans and organizes Vivian’s attic as part of her 50 hours of community service work for stealing a library book. I would definitely recommend this book because it is a very good story, but don’t expect a raw and deep story of the plight of the kids "on an orphan train". ( )

Really enjoyed the historical part of this book. Some MAJOR decisions/actions didn't seem to follow the characterizations portrayed. Won't be more specific to avoid spoilers. ( )