History I never knew? How did that happen? Christina Baker Kline intertwines historical elements into the narrative of Molly and Vivian; though decades apart in age, each is similar in experiences, one in foster care in current times, the other a child, an orphan who rode the Orphan Train.
Learning about the orphan trains was interesting, was sad, was a check with reality. Two hundred thousand. 200,000. Either way I type it, that's a large number of children who had lost parents, families, who were transported across this nation to families desiring children, to some only wanting field hands, free labor, or worse. As a parent, as a Tam-Tam (my name to my grandgirls), I am just at a loss to comprehend such heart-wrenching separations. How much these children endured.
Kline tells the story of these two through changing lenses, a few chapters of Molly's story, then back to Vivian's. The echoes of pain, loss, survival, hope can be heard through both stories as they are told along side of each other.
The reader remains intrigued, especially in Vivian's story via the names, the personas others delegate to her as she leaves one experience for another. Maybe it's my age...but I found myself attached more to Vivian's story. I could see, though, where some readers might empathize with Molly...or even both equally...based on each reader's background knowledge.
A young adult read, this will capture the interests of this age group, while filling in a historical gap that many will not even know they were missing. Written through the voices of the young, this novel will resonate with them, either through a clearer appreciation for what they have or through a drive to be better, to help those who live in such heart-wrenching situations.
Five stars. Definitely. Please read this book!
