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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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Amazing story

I loved how the 2 stories wove together! Incredible story, I hated to have it end.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Fantastic, Stupendous, Amazing!

It pained me to stop listening. It was not just read, it was performed. The narrator flows effortlessly from one distinttive character to the next. LOVED THIS BOOK. My only complaint is that it wasn't long enough. Having the orphan trains as part of my family history, this book truly brought that history to life for me. Thank you.

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Recommend

Great story about the history of orphaned children in our country. Nicely written and performed.

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Very, very good book

I really enjoyed this book and I encourage anyone that is looking for their next story to get this one. The narrator talks a little fast for me, but I just slowed it down to .85 and she was perfect. She did a very good job reading this book and the voices were spot on. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

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Wonderful story

Such a great story! Very moving story. Left me wanting more. Narrated very well too!

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Loved this story. It was easy to listen to.......

It was easy to remember who all the characters were, even though the story line changed between various years. Wish the ending never came.

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Truly Heartfelt

While this story is fiction, I’ve read about the orphan trains. It’s a story that could have happened, and I’m certainly sure it mimics many real life stories. I loved the friendship that developed. I don’t like spoilers, but both of these characters “could be” and probably do exist in one form or another across America. The characters are genuine and the storyline heartfelt without being sugary sweet.

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    3 out of 5 stars

A timely correction - or not

The dual first person narratives, generations apart, let us feel like we have felt the actual pain of real orphans then and now. Sadly, these accounts remind us that good Aunt Em, Uncle Henry, and Charles Ingalls (at least TV version) are fiction; failed parenting, selfish foster/adoptive parents, impersonal placement organizations and the juvie system, and religious do-gooders are the real banes of orphans. Or not. Good prose; not so fair representation.

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Fantastic story telling

This was a captivating story of struggle, endurance, triumphs, and love. I highly recommend this book.

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Such a heartfelt story!

I've listened to it many times and enjoy everyone of them.
Having Irish descendance, I wonder if any thing like this might have happened to them.

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