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Orphan Train  By  cover art

Orphan Train

By: Christina Baker Kline
Narrated by: Jessica Almasy, Suzanne Toren
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Publisher's summary

Orphan Train is a gripping story of friendship and second chances from Christina Baker Kline, author of Bird in Hand and The Way Life Should Be.

Penobscot Indian Molly Ayer is close to "aging out" out of the foster care system. A community-service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping Molly out of juvie and worse....

As she helps Vivian sort through her possessions and memories, Molly learns that she and Vivian aren’t as different as they seem to be. A young Irish immigrant orphaned in New York City, Vivian was put on a train to the Midwest with hundreds of other children whose destinies would be determined by luck and chance. Molly discovers that she has the power to help Vivian find answers to mysteries that have haunted her for her entire life - answers that will ultimately free them both.

Rich in detail and epic in scope, Orphan Train 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.

©2013 Christina Baker Kline (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“The narrator of Orphan Train, Jessica Almasy, does an incredible read. Listening to Almasy’s rendition of this book - so vivid and emotional - was as much fun as getting swept away by an Oscar-winning movie.” (Parents.com)
"Absorbing...a heartfelt page-turner about two women finding a sense of home.... Kline lets us live the characters’ experiences vividly through their skin.... The growth from instinct to conscious understanding to partnership between the two is the foundation for a moving tale." ( Publishers Weekly)
“Kline's vibrant, sophisticated language comes alive with the sparkling talents of narrators Jessica Almasy and Suzanne Toren. Their finely paced, enthusiastic portrayals of the charming main characters quickly capture the listener.” ( AudioFile)

What listeners say about Orphan Train

Average customer ratings
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beautiful story

loved it from start to finish ,great narrator, charming characters, didn't want it to end

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A wonderful story

What did you like best about this story?

I really enjoyed the parallel of the "then and now" of this story. It is a story of a part of our history that isn't talked about often, Orphan Trains. It is told from an orphan's point of view and is paralleled with a modern day foster child.

Which character – as performed by Jessica Almasy and Suzanne Toren – was your favorite?

Vivian was my favorite character.

Any additional comments?

I loved this book, it is one of my favorites by far

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Humbled me more

This story was full of sad moments as well as happy ones. I've always wanted to adopt and this made my desires even more relevant. The part that affected me the most is how the orphans were automatically labeled misfits.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Does everything happen for a reason?

A footnote in history brought to light and made relevant to the present through two engaging, indomitable heroines.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

loved this book

A very thought provoking book. Interesting, engaging and illuminating. It definitely leaves one wanting more.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Nice young adult story.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the two stories. Writing was good and informative.

What does Jessica Almasy and Suzanne Toren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Narration was great. Nice to have the two different narrators so both could give their A voice.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Ladies of Orlando

Very interesting, I loved the historical backdrop. It keeps you engaged. Style was good too. Would recommend to a friend

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    5 out of 5 stars
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first book of this type

i apsolutely loved this story, it was well written and well read, i could keep up with the back and forth between the different decades easily all the way through, i was sad when it ended i wanted to know what happened next, biut it was a great ending

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great story!

Love the way the story intertwines lives , explores resilience. Wonderful characters, moving back and forth between the 1920-30's to the present seamlessly. Beautifully written.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A great read and a heartfelt story

I enjoyed this story of a 91 year old woman telling her life story, which included orphanhood and a train trip with a group of orphans to be handed out to people in the heartland looking for children. The characters were vivid, and the story was moving without ever being maudlin. My only critique would be the narrator...she talked very fast and I found her voice a bit annoying initially. I got used to it after a couple of chapters, however. I would definitely recommend this audio book.

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