For example, when my book club read orphan train by christina baker kline i found this interview with the author. Apr 02, 20 vivians journey west was aboard an orphan train, a bit of misguided 1900sera social engineering moving homeless, destitute city children, mostly immigrants, into midwest families. I had no idea that this happened with orphans in america. Book club questions for the orphan train by christina baker. Apr 11, 20 after tragedy, young girl shipped west on orphan train christina baker klines new novel incorporates a true piece of american history. Niamh pronounced neev was an irish immigrant girl sent on an orphan train from new york city to minnesota in the late 1920s.
There is the theme of foster care, adoption, family history, unexpected relationships. This study guide consists of approximately 42 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of orphan train. Vivians journey west was aboard an orphan train, a bit of misguided 1900sera social engineering moving homeless, destitute city children, mostly immigrants, into midwest families. How similar can the stories of two orphans, born years apart, be. One is a seventeen years old living in foster care. The questions and activities in this teaching guide are written to support standardsbased instruction. Orphan train by christina baker kline i remember at the age of 10 or so reading a novel about the late19th and early 20thcentury orphan trains, which took children and babies from east coast slums and brought them to the midwest, where they were given an opportunity for a potentially prosperous new life in the fresh rural air. Some of the food ideas are from the book like the terrys famous chowder but most of this book took place during the great depression so food was scarce and there was no way i was.
Orphan train on surprise trip up the bestseller list. Find books like orphan train from the worlds largest community of readers. If you are the publisher or author of this book and. Overview of the entire book introduction to the important people in the book summary and analysis of all the chapters in the book key takeaways of the book a readers perspective.
Christina baker klines novel orphan train has ridden the new york times bestseller list for the past 15 weeks, becoming a favorite of book clubs across the. Orphan train by christian baker kline is the story of a surprising friendship between two women. Christina baker klines novel orphan train has ridden the new york times bestseller list for the past 15 weeks, becoming a favorite of book clubs across the country. Books similar to orphan train goodreads share book. Book club kit discussion guide orphan train by christina. A lot of the women in this group liked the book along with our. Delve deeper into the books making the charts, and get tips for keeping your reading group engaged. Mount prospect public library book discussion questions. Questions every book club asks, the story behind the writing of orphan train, and more. Love to read and need to keep your book wish list, reading log, and notes in one place. A novel christina baker kline, 20 harpercollins 278 pp. She was deposited with the byrnes, who wanted only child labor in a dressmaking enterprise. Two of us had heard of orphan trains before reading this book.
One of the books protagonists, an irish orphan, is packed. A community service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping molly out of. Find resources for your book club, whether it meets in your living room or across cyberspace. Jul 16, 2014 orphan train on surprise trip up the bestseller list. Book club kit discussion guide orphan train by christina baker kline.
Christina baker kline is a novelist, nonfiction writer and editor. Orphan train was a mix of favorite childhood books of mine such as anne of green gables, heidi, and understood betsy, and ms. Jan 24, 2015 a few days ago i posted my thoughts on orphan train by christina baker kline. Orphan train book club ideas part 1 have you read this incredible story about our history in america. After tragedy, young girl shipped west on orphan train christina baker klines new novel incorporates a true piece of american history. Orphan train by christina baker kline book club discussion. Goodreads members who liked orphan train also liked. Orphan train by christina baker kline reading group guides. She is chosen along with twenty other children to join the orphan train that will travel west.
Orphan train book club ideas part 2 ive come to think thats what heaven is a place in the memory of others where our best selves live on. The orphan train by christina baker kline questions thoughtco. I remember at the age of 10 or so reading a novel about the late19th and early 20thcentury orphan trains, which took children and babies. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 278 pages and is available in paperback format. Orphan train is also similar to klines other works, a piece of the world 2017 and the way life should be 2007. These questions about the novel can help foster discussion in your group.
The orphans tale, by pam jenoff pam jenoffs new novel follows two women who sign on with a german traveling circus and the jewish baby theyre both determined to protect as. Orphan train by christina baker kline reading guidebook. Orphan train is a book set in both the present day and the late 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. It will stop at several towns and folks looking to adopt or hire a child, will choose one of the children to come live with them. Find out in this lesson, which will go over a summary of orphan train by christina baker kline and discuss one of. A community service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping molly ayer out of juvie and worse. A young irish immigrant orphaned in new york city, vivian was put on a train to the midwest with hundreds of other children. Christina baker klines orphan train is an unforgettable story of friendship and second chances that highlights a littleknown but historically significant movement in americas pastand it includes a special ps section for book clubs featuring insights, interviews, and more. Aug 18, 2018 the orphan train by christina baker kline moves back and forth between two stories that of a young orphan girl in the early twentieth century and that of a teenager in the modernday foster care system.
Kline has written six other novels orphan train, orphan train girl, the way life should be, sweet water, bird in hand, and desire lines and written or edited five works of nonfiction. Orphan train by christina baker kline reading guidebook club. Dec 16, 20 orphan train weaves together the stories of two lost girlsthe elderly vivian who once went by the name niamh, and teenager molly, whos just about to age out of the foster care system. This 38page guide for orphan train by christina baker kline includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 7 parts, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. These book discussion questions are highly detailed and will ruin plot points if you have not read the book. Bird in hand, the way life should be, desire lines and sweet water. Oct 14, 2014 rich in detail and epic in scope, orphan train by christina baker kline is a powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of unexpected friendship, and of the secrets we carry that keep us from finding out who we are. Orphan train by christina baker kline a 30minute summary. Like orphan train, doerrs novel is a work of historical fiction, portrays the experiences of orphans, has a twoplot structure, and retraces the lives of modernday characters by telling their stories from the beginning. After tragedy, young girl shipped west on orphan train. Molly learns that vivian was herself an orphan, an irish immigrant in new york who was put on the orphan train in the late 1920s and tossed from home to home in minnesota. The orphan train by christina baker kline moves back and forth between two stories that of a young orphan girl in the early twentieth century and that of a teenager in the modernday foster care system.
Find out in this lesson, which will go over a summary of orphan train by christina baker kline and discuss one of the major themes. They take niamh to the childrens aid society, and the agency sends niamh out to the midwest on an orphan train. The orphan train has several threads for book clubs to discuss. One of the best things that i can say about orphan train is how much this story affected me. Lesson plans and resources for orphan train free library of. Written by julia wolf orphan train is a novel which shows how important it is to trust in a better future, fight your fears, and just be kind and compassionate. Vivian traveled from nyc to minnesota as a young girl on one of the infamous orphan trains that was used to get orphans out of the cities into the country where they might have a better opportunity to find families and to be able to make a good life. Cathy marie buchanan, nyt bestselling author of the day the falls stood still and the painted girls i loved this book. Orphan train summary from litcharts the creators of. Orphan train by christina baker kline, paperback barnes.
I love when i find a winner with my book club and this is definitely a winner. These notes were contributed by members of the gradesaver community. Read orphan train absolutely for free at readanybook. Orphan train summary from litcharts the creators of sparknotes. Orphan train is a young adult historical fiction novel about the relationship between seventeen yearold molly ayer and ninetyone yearold vivian daly who, as the result of spending time together and sharing their experiences, form a bond, learn from each other, and change in significant ways. Adapted and condensed for a young audience, orphan train girl includes an authors note and archival photos from the orphan train era. This is a summary of the book and not the original book. Just before dutchy goes home with a farmer in minneapolis, minnesota, he and niamh promise to find each other again someday. Orphan train by christina baker kline is a book that has many themes. Orphan train girl by christina baker kline reading guidebook. Reminiscent of elizabeth strouts amy and isabel, this orphan train carries us along until the stories of these two women become one. She served as writerinresidence at fordham university from 2007 to 2011 and. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. Rich in detail and epic in scope, orphan train by christina baker kline is a powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of unexpected friendship.
Orphan train study guide from litcharts the creators of. Orphan train was a wonderful read that entertained me and most definitely touched my heart. In addition to orphan train 2011 and a piece of the. Today, we welcome christina to the blog to discuss her experience with book clubs and the three most common questions that clubs have asked. Orphan train will hold you in its grip as their fascinating tales unfold. Orphan train meets the standard for range of reading. On the surface, vivians and mollys lives couldnt be more different. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. Through reading the book and completing any of the suggested activities, students can achieve any. The first edition of the novel was published in april 2nd 20, and was written by christina baker kline. Free download or read online orphan train pdf epub book.
While i cant say that i was able to directly relate to either vivian or molly, for some reason, these characters really got under my skin. Today, we welcome christina to the blog to discuss her experience with book clubs and the three. The orphan train by christina baker kline questions. Orphan train weaves together the stories of two lost girlsthe elderly vivian who once went by the name niamh, and teenager molly.
On the train, niamh befriends dutchy, a twelveyearold boy, and takes care of carmine, a toddler. Rich in detail and epic in scope, orphan train by christina baker kline is a powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of unexpected friendship, and of the secrets we carry that keep us from finding out who we are. Overview of the entire book introduction to the important people in the book summary and analysis of all the chapters in the book. You can also try to connect with authors on social media they may give you some great discussion ideas or even offer to skype with your book club. Christina baker kline penobscot indian molly ayer is close to aging out out of the foster care system.
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