Orphan Trains: Taking the Rails to a New Life

by Rebecca Langston-George

Overview

Discover the true story of seven orphans who were settled with families in the Midwest by the Children's Aid Society.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781623706302
Publisher:	Capstone
Publication date:	10/01/2016
Series:	Encounter: Narrative Nonfiction Stories Series
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	850L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Rebecca Langston-George is the author of 12 books including The Booth Brothers: Drama, Fame, and the Death of President Lincoln. She received the Armin R. Schulz Literacy Award from the California Reading Association in 2016 for writing that promotes social justice. Rebecca lives in Bakersfield, California.

Table of Contents

Clutching his brothers's hand : Stanley Cornell — Missionary to "street rats" — Three cheers for Michigan, the first orphan train — From newsboy to news maker : Andrew Burke — A baby doll of her own : Agnes Ruth Anderson Hickok — Just an adopted brat : Robert Hunt Hume — Three mothers and many sisters : Edith Peterson — Pretending to be happy : Margurite Driscoll Thompson — A little boy and a big imagination : Arthur Field Smith — What happened to the riders? — What happened to the orphan trains?

Interviews

narrative nonfiction; fascinating stories of children and what became of them; US history

Editorial Reviews

Although many orphan train titles are available, this is particularly balanced by honestly portraying and discussing the system, children, recipients, and outcomes in context.  Chapters alternate between relaying the stories of children placed with Western families and information regarding the orphan train system. . . .Although meant for middle level readers, this novel’s content will interest all ages.

VOYA

Teachers and parents, if you’re looking for a narrative nonfiction chapter book, this title...is a good choice. Not only is it well-written and moving, it’s about a little-known piece of American history when orphan children were relocated to the midwest. These seven stories are sometimes heartbreaking with both happiness and sadness. I think most kids will find the children’s emotions relatable.

Imagination Soup