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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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Exceptional historical fiction

I love the authors ability to bridge the gap between generations, show parallels in lives nearly a century apart and narrate the tale in a way the reader benefits from multiple perspectives and insights. A delightful, painful, suspenseful read. I was sad to have to let these characters go.

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Couldn't stop listening.

The interweaving of their lives is well done. Narrators were excellent by the story end.

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Amazing

This book was charming eventful and just wonderful I couldn't stop listening. It's a must read! The speaker did wonderful.

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Engaging!

This book held my attention the entire time! The way the two stories were weaved together was interesting. I also enjoyed learning about the past.

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Twist that keep it interesting

Great story. Lots of twist to keep it interesting. Loved connection the writer created with the orphan train and today foster homes.

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Thoroughly enjoyed!

Was a lovely story. The author and narrator really bring you so close to the raw emotions of the characters.

The narrator's voice took me a little while to get used to (thought it was quick), but she did a wonderful job with the accents and different characters.

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Loved this book and performance of it.

This book flowed well and it was easy to invest in the characters and the story. The performance complimented the writing.

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Amazing story!

Great book! I got hooked to the story from start! Highly recommend to anybody interested in heartfelt story! You will feel all emotions -sorrow, sadness and happiness!

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A great story

At first, I wasn't sure if I would listen to the story because of the voice of the narrator but after a while I got used to the narrator and really got involved with the story. I really enjoyed the parts of the past and loved the unusual friendship of Molly and Vivian. It was a great story!

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It ended too abruptly

I just needed at least a paragraph of the interchange between Sarah and Vivian, or the beginning of the relationship with her look alike “Becca” her great grand daughter.

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