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)

Very Good

Nice story, excellent narration. The ending leaves you ready for a continuation to next generations.

A must read (listen!)

This book is captivating! Our history is so broken with adoption and this book gives you a very insightful look on what it must’ve been like to be one of the orphans on the unthinkable trains. Very well written, I loved every minute of it.

Listen and Cry

This beautiful and compelling story literally made me cry at work. The author lets us see the realities of life for young children in a world without their parents and the deep, true, pain that comes with it.

Wished for more at the end

Great story I just wish the author spent more time to develop the story at the end

wonderful book

I really liked this book. The story held me attention from chapter 1 until the last word.

Loved it!

Loved the story, the details, and the narrator. You won't be disappointed to take your time enjoying this book.

2nd book complete

Enjoyed this book very much was hard to get used to same voices for different people. Story was great

I loved this book!

I loved this book. My mother had recommended it. She herself and her. siblings were orphans about a decade after this time period. They all went through some of the same struggles.

Loved it!

Such a riveting story full of the heartaches, misfortunes, losses, and trials that shape the life of an orphan girl whose life then inspires another with a similarly dealt hand. It's a powerful story of not being so quick to judge others. There's always more to the story than the surface. And the things in life that happen to us may seem cruel and meaningless, but actually are part of an intertwined plan that connects us in ways we wouldn't be without those obstacles.

Riding the train of life

I certainly found this book so well written and presented. I could live through every scene, sometimes holding my breath. The descriptive words brought me through the various steps of life these people took. I really didn’t,t want the story to end, yet let me to write the prologue
My mother was a foster child, she didn’t say too much about her life but I feel I better understand her now hav read this book but sadly she is gone and I will never know anymore. Thank you Christine Baker Kline