Reviews (4)

The origins of the American child welfare system
There've been plenty of books published selecting Orphan Train children as the protagonists, but relatively few stand-alone volumes consider the origins and social implications of the American child welfare system which emerged in mid-19th century New York to handle to dearth of orphans and runaways on the New York City streets. One man's vision of rescue became the famous Orphan Trains program, and Stephen O'Connor's history and biography focus on one Christian minister Charles Loring Brace, the man who created the Children's Aid Society to handle these children more humanely.
Author Has Wrong View of Foster Care
In this book, Mr. O'Connor describes how Charles Loring Brace started the orphan trains, which was the beginning of modern foster care. But Mr. O'Connor has also done nothing more than attempt to turn people OFF to the foster care system! Every other page is filled with the "failures", and the kids that did not enjoy their new homes. Rarely does he describe the successes, the times that foster care has truly helped. An interesting and important book.
Some people say you can judge a society by how it treats its weakest members, and if that is true the United States has repeatedly failed the test. When it comes to dealing with the most vulnerable people among us � children whose families can not or will not take care of them � over and over we turn our backs on horrible examples of abuse and neglect.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1826-1890    2. Adoption    3. Brace, Charles Loring,    4. Children's Aid Society (New Yo    5. History    6. History - U.S.    7. History: American    8. Orphan trains    9. Philanthropy & Charity    10. Services For Children    11. Social Science    12. Social Work    13. United States - 19th Century    14. United States - General    15. Advice on parenting    16. American history    17. Child welfare    18. History / United States / General    19. USA   

Reviews (5)

Lucy Gets Her Wish
In 1866, Lucy's mom died.Lucy was living in the streets of New York City.Then she went on the orphan train.She wanted to find parents and a little sister.At the first stop, no one picked her as a daughter.Then, at the second stop, Mr. Snapes picked Lucy.She got a sister but she was mentally retarded.Lucy almost got her wish.She was happy because she had a mom, dad and little sister.It was a good book.Anyone could enjoy this book.
"Lucy's Wish" touched my heart.
This is a little story that can touch your heart.It is about a little orphan whose mother has died.Lucy learns of the Orphan Train through a friend and wishes for a little sister and a kind mother and father.Lucymeets two friends on the Orphan Train, a Princess and Daisy.All threefind families, but will Lucy get her wish?This reader spent most of onenight reading the book until she finished and learned the answer to thatquestion.

It was kind of sad but do you think it will turn out happy?
This happens in the year 1866.In a little alley in New York City, lay a ten-year-old girl named Lucy Amanda Griggs.She had no mom, she died ofcholera.She had no dad either, he died in a car accident.One of Lucy'sold friends, Joey, told her about the Orphan Train.He said,"TheOrphan Train takes orphans to find new parents."Eversince shebecame an orphan Lucy wanted a little sister, a mom, and a dad.So, Joeytells her where the Orphan Train is and she goes on.On the train shewonders,"Will I be chosen?Will anyone want me?"I wouldrecommend this book if you liked the Orphan Train. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Family - Orphans & Foster Homes    4. Fiction    5. Historical - General    6. Historical - United States - 19th Century    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Orphan trains    9. Orphans    10. Sisters    11. Social Issues - Special Needs    12. Social Situations - Special Needs    13. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Orphans & Foster Homes   

Reviews (4)

David's Search/Our Find
I used this book as part of my ESL curriculum.I had two 5th grade boys share the reading of David's Search with me.It introduced a lot of vocabulary but more than that, it's portrayal of an alienated young man experiencing racial prejudice was especially touching and pertinent to many of the children with whom I work.The boys became engrossed with the story and ultimately wanted to read it themselves without my assistance.I got shut out of our reading group. The story spoke to my students...and to me.The book is especially well written, as are all of the Orphan Train series books I have encountered. Although the story is appropriate for 5th grade and above, the students do not need a 5th grade reading ability to read it.It is especially appropriate for less developed readers for this reason.

A Difficult Decision
It is 1866, and twelve year old Will Scott is not happy to be on the Orphan Train. That is because he is not an orphan .He has a father,Jesse, who is a circus performer. But Jesse tells Will he will have a better family and a better life out west. Will is placed with kindly Mr. and Mrs. Wallace. Will assists Dr. Wallace on his rounds of local farms and finds he is very good at helping people that are sick or hurt. Still, Will misses his father terribly. Then one night Jesse's circus comes to town and Will needs to make a big decision. Will's Choice is a great book for one reason. It teaches about important things in life such as love. It does this by showing us that Will has to choose whether to go back with his father, who originaly dumped him, or stay with the loving Wallaces. I recomend this book cause it has a very important message for all of us.

Orphan Train Children:David's Search
Young David is sent by his friend, Mickey, to join the Orphan Train and thus escapes the New York streets where they are homeless.David is reluctantly adopted by a childless couple who want free workers for their farm.He is worked hard and they are miserly.He befriends Amos, a formerslave, who works on the farm.The KKK moves in and threatens the familyfor employing and paying a negro.Amos moves on westward and David stays,winning the grudging respect of his adoptive parents. Historical detailseems accurate and story is good, with black and white illustrations. Recomended for 5th graders, and teachers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Family - Orphans & Foster Homes    5. Fiction    6. Historical - United States - 19th Century    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Ku-Klux Klan    9. Orphan trains    10. Orphans    11. Social Issues - General    12. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Orphans & Foster Homes   

Subjects:  1. Brothers and sisters    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Fiction    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Juvenile Mysteries    7. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    8. Mystery and detective stories    9. Orphans   

Reviews (2)

The choice of a lifetime
Basically, Will is rather upset and can't believe that his father would just abandon him.He is placed with a kind couple who loves Will.They are Otto and Sarah Wallace, Otto is a doctor and often takes Will with him to meet his patients.He believes that Will has a real shot at becoming a doctor himself.When his father, Jesse, comes with his traveling circus, Will is torn on whether to go with his father, or stay with the Wallaces.This is a very good book, that builds up to the plot, nicely.

Lucy's Wish, the other book, was better
Lucy's Wish, the other Orphan Train Children book, was better. This book was boring. And it was annoying that Will wanted to go back to his father when his foster parents cared about him better and he had a real future with them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Family - Orphans & Foster Homes    4. Fathers and sons    5. Fiction    6. Historical - General    7. Historical - United States - 19th Century    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Orphan trains    10. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Orphans & Foster Homes   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Family - Orphans & Foster Homes    4. History    5. History - United States/General    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. Orphan trains    9. Orphans    10. United States   

Reviews (3)

terrific book about anadventures and a lonely orphan
This book is about a young orphan who learns things about life. Like that ppl love her.its also about her life before and after her adoption These books make u happy and want to cry all at the same time they r wonderfulfor kids of all ages not to complicated but still the best. its also veryadventourose

Another good Orphan Train Children book.
Aggie's Home is about a twelve year old orphan, Agatha Mae Vaughn. Aggie'smother left her on the steps of an orphanage when she was just a baby.Later, she gets sent to an orphan asylum with a cruel woman in charge.Aggie breaks a lot of rules, and after four years, the woman, Mrs.Marchlander, has had enough of her. So she sends her west on the OrphanTrain. Aggie desperatley wants a home where someone will love her. Will shefind one?

Aggie Vaughn rides the Orphan Train out west.
Aggie was left on the steps of an orphanage when she was a baby. Nowtwelve years old, Aggie is headed west on an Orphan Train. She was sentaway from the orphanage because she broke too many rules. Aggie wonders ifanyone will want her, if she will find a home. This book in the OrphanTrain Children series was very good. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Family - Orphans & Foster Homes    4. Fiction    5. Historical - General    6. Historical - United States - 19th Century    7. Individuality    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Orphan trains    10. Orphans    11. Social Issues - General    12. Social Situations - General    13. Historical fiction    14. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Orphans & Foster Homes   

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Country life    4. Fiction    5. Foster home care    6. Historical - General    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Short Stories    9. Texas   

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. General   

Subjects:  1. Education / Teaching    2. Teaching Methods & Materials - Workbooks