Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

"I believe in ghosts. They're the ones who haunt us, the ones who have left us behind. Many times in my life I have felt them around me, observing, witnessing, when no one in the living world knew or cared what happened....I've come to think that's what heaven is---a place in the memory of others where our best selves live on."
                       -Vivian, from the prologue of the novel

When a couple of friends recommended Orphan Train I decided it would be our October book club selection. In teaching 5th grade (and American history) I had read a few of Joan Lowery Nixon's Orphan Train Adventures series so I was familiar with the topic and found it intriguing. I love historical fiction and this was a good one. I am rating it a 4; not quite a page-turner but an excellent read, nonetheless.

Similar to The Healing, our group's September book, Orphan Train contains a story within a story. The settings are Spruce Harbor, Maine, 2011, and New York to Minnesota, 1929-1939. The two stories intersect as Molly, a foster youth in trouble with the law does community service with Vivian, an elderly orphan train rider. Molly is supposed to help Vivian clean out her attic and in the process they learn not only what they have in common but how they can help each other. As they work together, Vivian relives much of her past by sharing experiences with Molly. Molly gains maturity as she learns she is not the only young person to have trials to overcome. In the end their relationship is mutually beneficial as Molly finally feels loved and is able to help Vivian to realize a dream---quite a poignant ending.

My favorite minor character was Ms. Larsen, the teacher in Vivian's past. She was so kind to a child badly in need of TLC. I can only hope I was like her in the eyes of many of my former students.

Below is a claddagh ring, similar to the necklace worn by Niamh/Dorothy/Vivian throughout the story. It symbolizes love (heart), loyalty (crown) and friendship (hands).


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Our Page Turners group met on the regular day, a smaller group this time. Our group rating for Orphan Train was 3.9 with almost everyone voting a 4. We could pretty much agree that we hold onto things for far too long, as Vivian had, but the reorganizing of the boxes was an interesting way for her to share her past with Molly. Some members thought the main characters were unrealistically optimistic in light of their situations. The alternating of past with present, we felt, was refreshing and kept us engaged. Our discussion was lively and at one point turned to foster children and adoption. Surprisingly it turned out 4 of the 10 of us have adopted children! Good book, great meeting, as always!