Summary of Orphan Train

Summary of
Orphan Train
From Christina Baker Cline
Summary Station

In the 1850’s it was estimated that over 30,000 children were homeless, and roaming the busy streets of New York City. Charles Brace, saw a need for the children to have homes of their own. He founded the Children’s Aid Society. Brace theorized that he children would have a better chance at becoming contributing members of society if they were raised by “God fearing” farm families. The “Orphan Train” Movement started in 1853 and continued into the early 1900’s. “Orphan Train” by Christina Baker Kline, follows Niamh (pronounced Neev) who lived with her family in New York until her father and brothers are killed in a fire and her mother is sent to a mental hospital. Neamh is left to the Child’s Aid Society and eventually placed on an Orphan Train to be transported to the Midwest in search of a new family. Many years later Niamh’s name is changed and changed again. She is now 91 and twice widowed. Molly is a girl on a crash course with disaster. She has been passed around in the modern day foster system since she was a young girl. Her father died in a car accident and her mother was taken to jail. Molly is sentenced to spend 50 hours of community service for stealing and is sentenced helping Vivian clean out her attic. Somehow the unlikely duo become close friends.
This book tries to bring to light the awful truths that some foster children face in the system. It’s interesting to see the parallels between the old system and the new as the children suffer for the actions of parents who are otherwise ill-equipped. As we learn more about Niamh’s travels and how she is passed from home to home.