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glashtyn's review against another edition
4.0
This is a good representation of a period of history that seems to have gone relatively undocumented.
The book, while interested by in topic and telling the true stories of amazing individuals could have used a little more editing. It often changes tense without warning and the sections that are meant to be indented are sometimes hardly noticeable, making it a chore at times to read.
The stories need to be out there, though. They need to be told so as not to lose this vital knowledge of our history.
The book, while interested by in topic and telling the true stories of amazing individuals could have used a little more editing. It often changes tense without warning and the sections that are meant to be indented are sometimes hardly noticeable, making it a chore at times to read.
The stories need to be out there, though. They need to be told so as not to lose this vital knowledge of our history.
wordyanchorite's review against another edition
4.0
An accessible group of oral histories of orphan train riders. The collected stories cover many different kinds of riders: Catholic and Protestant, babies and teenagers, successful and unsuccessful placements. The book also makes connections between the challenges, past and present, of orphan train riders and those of present-day foster children and adopted children. An excellent introduction to the Orphan Train phenomenon for the middle grades.
naomiysl's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
3.0
Informative, and interesting. I enjoyed what was here. On the other hand, I think it's possible that hte author was thinking too delicately of her youthful audience when writing, and spared us any details deemed too upsetting. On the one hand I see that, on the other hand this allows the reader to think that the parents and children described were all just individuals making choices, instead of seeing the broader picture of poverty, illness, societal norms, and so on that created this boom of children in need of homes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Abandonment, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death and Suicide
wannabemensch's review against another edition
3.0
On one hand, I loved the stories from individual folks who experienced the orphan trains in the early 20th century. The accompanying pictures were a treat. On the other, the authorial judgement about the children universally being "throwaways," unwanted, or neglected was distasteful and, I venture, inaccurate. Not unlike today, poor access to healthcare, hindered reproductive freedoms, and stifling poverty were more likely the causes of families being dismantled. The author seems to ignore her own sources, including heartbreaking notes that were found on babies "abandoned" at New York City's Foundling Hospital.
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