Orphan Train

A Novel

By: Christina Baker Kline

Narrated by: Jessica Almasy, Suzanne Toren

Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins

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)

Lovely story of persistence through trial!

Lovely story of how the trials of both a past and present orphan parallel and triumph in happiness!

Heartbreaking but Couldn't Stop Listening

This book was really good. It has some really hard heart breaking moments made sadder by the fact that Orphan Trains were a real event in history. The characters are well developed, the narrator very good, and the author thorough. Highly recommend.

Orphan Train speaks to so many of us.

My tragic life didn’t begin in the Great Depression,, but it’s the same story. Molly felt convenient and contrived, but every voice of Vivian was brutally sincere.

Good Ending to a Bad Idea

As a retired professional in Child Welfare, I realize only too well how rare would be a happy ending to the life of a child placed, practically at random with a family who is looking for a “good worker.”
We spend our lived working, and praying, for a traumatized child to find a “normal” life. So having two at once is a treat! Thanks to Ms. Kline for providing that.
Children, thank heaven, are resilient, for as a nation we don’t care enough about their suffering to provide the high quality service that Molly and Vivian needed, or to prevent the trauma kids still face in foster care today.
We prefer spending our money on bombers and border walls.

make you think twice

you never think you would never have thing in comment with younger and older people but some time you do.

Great book

I really enjoyed the book. It made me think and cry. Appreciate my parents. Even my father, who was an alcoholic and nasty sometimes.

Came to like it more as it unfolded.

I'm 64 and read it for a book club. At first I didn't Ike it because I thought it was about a child and a teenager. But then it broadened abd and I came to love it!

Thoroughly engrossing story

The narration manages to encompass all of the characters and accents. The story is moving and engrossing. Well written, well narrated, thoroughly enjoyable!

Amazing story!

Captivating story. Hits every emotion. I didn’t want it to end. Only thing that was buggy was narrators voice. Too squeaky for me. But the story was so great I put up with it. Although if I had the book I would have stopped the audible and finished reading it. One of the best books I’ve read.

Orphan Train

This ls a fantastic book. I listened to it on Audible and loved it. There were many tears shed while listening. Some of the situations probably have happened to people in this country. It’s a surprising ending and I’m sure I’ll listen to it again. I do in the past re-read books that I like. This book will not disappoint you. I will read other books from this author