A novel christina baker kline, 20 harpercollins 278 pp. They take niamh to the childrens aid society, and the agency sends niamh out to the midwest on an orphan train. Of what does vivian say in the prologue, many times in my life i have felt them around me, observing, witnessing, when no one in the living world knew or cared what. The question and answer section for orphan train is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and. This comprehensive lesson plan includes 30 daily lessons, 180 multiple choice questions, 20 essay questions, 20 fun activities, and more everything you need to teach orphan train. Answer questions on topics such as an approximate number of homeless kids in new york city during the. Orphan train study guide from litcharts the creators of sparknotes. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. Orphan train by christina baker kline book club discussion. Author bio birth1964 raisedin maine and tennessee, usa, and the uk educationb. The orphan train community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author. This book follows two characters, and i loved reading the flashbacks from the perspective of the old woman, who traveled on an orphan train after her family was killed in a fire in new york. I think it my have been an off shoot of the turkish delightorange fruit slices type candy. This 38page guide for orphan train by christina baker kline includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 7 parts, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis.
Ron weasley for the role of the redhaired man, of course. The orphan train by christina baker kline questions. The orphan train community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you. Niamh pronounced neev was an irish immigrant girl sent on an orphan train from new york city to minnesota in the late 1920s. Orphan train historical background from the authors website. Choose among these discussion questions as you decide which threads are most interesting for. Orphan train by christina baker kline pages 161200 what are the characters in these pages. See more ideas about orphan train, orphan train book and orphan. Ask and answer questions about the novel or view study guides, literature essays and more. What does the girl on the train have in common with gone girl. Publishers comments goodreads 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. In the book voices of the great depression the 1930sby cinda anderson on page 14 the write mentions watermelon candy.
The flashbacks of her life were interesting, well written and i couldnt get enough. Christina baker klines novel orphan train has ridden the new york times bestseller list for the past 15 weeks, becoming a favorite of book clubs across the country. Bird in hand, the way life should be, desire lines and sweet water. A community service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping molly out of juvie and worse. In the book voices of the great depressionthe 1930sby cinda anderson on page 14 the write mentions watermelon candy.
One of the books protagonists, an irish orphan, is packed. Ill admit i am interested in books about wwii and oddly, about historic circus life. Today, we welcome christina to the blog to discuss her experience with book clubs and the three most common questions that clubs have asked her about the novel. Obviously the foster care system of the 1900s and that of today will come up. From christina baker kline comes a novel about two women. Vivans story starts in 1929, when 9 year old vivian at that time called niamh loses her parents and is sent from new york to the midwest with an orphan. But in interviews, and on her blog, kline says one of the major themes she wanted to tackle. Christina answers the top ten questions book clubs ask.
Find orphan train lesson plans and teaching resources. Bestsellers club book discussions check it out find audiobooks find books find movies. Orphan train by christina baker kline this was one of those weekends when the sun poured in the bedroom window, providing enough light and warmth, on a pair of particularly cool and breezy days, to make stretching out on the bed and relaxing, surrounded by two dogs and a cat, the perfect way to spend some off time. Lesson plans and resources for orphan train free library of. She cowrote a book called the conversation begins with her mother. The diplomats wife addresses many of the questions that were left open at the end of kommandants girl. The best study guide to orphan train on the planet, from the creators of sparknotes. Im sorry, this is a shortanswer literature forum designed for text specific questions.
Penobscot indian molly ayer is close to aging out out of the foster. That could be challenging on a train journeyespecially a trip that could last a week or longer. One is a seventeen years old living in foster care. You can also try to connect with authors on social media they may give you some great discussion ideas or even offer to skype with your book club.
Apr 10, 2014 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. Orphan train christina kline baker flashcards quizlet. The orphan s tale made me stop, wait, think and want to absorb it before i went on to the next book. Discover how much you comprehend about the orphan train movement. On the train, niamh befriends dutchy, a twelveyearold boy, and takes care of carmine, a toddler. Online resources and questions for your book club to connect your groups lives, interests and personal experiences to books you discuss. Book club questions for the orphan train by christina baker. Orphan train summary from litcharts the creators of. 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. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. For example, when my book club read orphan train by christina baker kline i found this interview with the author, and it sparked some great conversation there are spoilers in there. Moving between contemporary maine and depressionera minnesota, orphan train is a powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of second chances, and unexpected friendship. How did martas character changeevolve throughout the story. Before boarding the orphan train, kids were given a bath and fancy new clothing.
That first night on the train, he removed his suit jacket and laid it out neatly. The orphans tale by pam jenoff book club discussion. The main difference between the two versions, other than length, is the protagonists age. To get you started, weve put together a list of 20 surefire conversation starters, ranging from the best contemporary literature to historical fiction, memoirs, and history. Nyt best selling author christina baker kline answers the top ten questions book clubs ask about orphan train. Vivians journey west was aboard an orphan train, a bit of misguided 1900sera social engineering moving homeless, destitute city children, mostly immigrants, into midwest families. And perhaps one of them will get to answer the question who am i, really. She is smart, strict, and authoritative, but wishes the children well and does her best to take care of their needs on the train. Orphan train by christina baker kline i remember at the age of 10 or so reading a novel about the late19th and early 20thcentury orphan trains, which took children and babies from east coast slums and brought them to the midwest, where they were given an opportunity for a potentially prosperous new life in the fresh rural air. Kline lets us live the characters experiences vividly through their skin, and.
The elderly white woman is an orphan too and traveled west in 1929 on an orphan train. Molly ayer is living with ralph and dina in their home in spruce harbor, maine. Christina baker klines adapts her bestselling orphan train for young readers with orphan train girl. I had no idea that this happened with orphans in america. Orphan train book club ideas part 1 have you read this incredible story about our history in america. Answer questions on topics such as an approximate number. Rich in detail and epic in scope, orphan train by christina baker kline 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. Choosing a book for your book club to read can be challenging. Christina baker klines orphan train is an unforgettable story of friendship and second chances that highlights a littleknown but historically significant movement in americas pastand it includes a special ps section for book clubs featuring insights, interviews, and more. Orphan train summary from litcharts the creators of sparknotes. Kline has written six other novels orphan train, orphan train girl, the way life should be, sweet water, bird in hand, and desire lines and written or edited five works of nonfiction. Just before dutchy goes home with a farmer in minneapolis, minnesota, he and niamh promise to find each other again someday. Questions every book club asks, the story behind the writing of orphan train, and more.
Molly discovers that she has the power to help vivian find answers to mysteries that have. Orphan train was a mix of favorite childhood books of mine such as anne of green gables, heidi, and understood betsy, and ms. The question and answer section for orphan train is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. Penobscot indian molly ayer is close to aging out out of the foster care system.
The treatment these children received by the loving families that took them in is another hot talking point, as is the flawed practice that transports the orphans to the mid west. You want books that are thoughtprovoking and intelligent but still approachable. Book club selection for august 2014 by christina baker kline. Christina answers top 10 book club questions youtube. Scatcherd is the matron of the orphan train during vivianniamh, dutchy and carmine s ride. Christina has longed to write a scene in which she clarifies vivians motivations. Orphan train is a book set in both the present day and the late 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. The national orphan train complex has compiled a number of stories of the children who rode the trains to be placed in foster care. Dec, 2016 since the publication of her smash international bestseller orphan train, christina baker kline has met with countless readers and book clubs and is often asked the same question about a key decision one of her protagonists makes in orphan train. The main characters are vivian, the orphaned train rider who at 91 years of age tells her fascinating story, and 17 year old molly, also an orphan, who helps old vivian to clean up her attic. Between 1854 and 1929, socalled orphan trains ran regularly from the cities of the east coast to the farmlands of the midwest, carrying thousands of abandoned children whose. Apr 02, 20 vivians journey west was aboard an orphan train, a bit of misguided 1900sera social engineering moving homeless, destitute city children, mostly immigrants, into midwest families. However, it was ruined by a small, and to some, insignificant character and narrative.
Close to aging out of the foster care system, penobscot indian molly ayer takes a community service position helping an elderly woman named vivian clean out her home and discovers that they are more alike than different as she helps vivian solve a mystery from her past. After tragedy, young girl shipped west on orphan train christina baker klines new novel incorporates a true piece of american history. Book club selection for august 2014 by christina baker kline historical fiction20273 pages publishers comments goodreads. If you are the publisher or author of this book and feel that the. Book club kit discussion guide orphan train by christina. Orphan train characters from litcharts the creators of. Orphan train is a young adult historical fiction novel about the relationship between seventeen yearold molly ayer and ninetyone yearold vivian daly who, as the result of spending time together and sharing their experiences, form a bond, learn from each other, and change in significant ways. The washington post also has a comprehensive article on the orphan trains. Orphan train by christina baker kline pages 121160 what are the characters that have been mentioned through this point. The main narrative about vivian, an orphan train rider, was excellent. As such, book clubs that read this book have the opportunity.
In addition to orphan train 2011 and a piece of the world 2017, her novels include bird in hand. The year is 2011 and molly is in trouble with the law. Take our free orphan train quiz below, with 25 multiple choice questions that help you test your knowledge. These book discussion questions are highly detailed and will ruin plot points if you have not read the book. The second narrative of molly, a teen foster child, is marred by the way the author, christina baker kline, portrays her oppressive foster mom. May 23, 2014 information about orphan trains and the book, orphan train by christina baker kline.
A lot of the women in this group liked the book along with our strong male contingency of one but not as much as i did. Who would you cast to play the major roles in a film version of the book. Was it common for train riders to keep their experiences secret. Christina baker kline is a novelist, nonfiction writer and editor. Orphan train girl by christina baker kline, paperback. This was a fascinating blend of the two, so i was in heaven. Learn orphan train with free interactive flashcards. Today, we welcome christina to the blog to discuss her experience with book clubs and the three most common questions that clubs have asked her. Apr 11, 2014 online resources and questions for your book club to connect your groups lives, interests and personal experiences to books you discuss, friday, april 11, 2014 orphan train book discussion guide.
As a midwesterner, i was really interested in this book after hearing it featured on npr. Some of the food ideas are from the book like the terrys famous chowder but most of this book took place during the great depression so food was scarce and there was no way i was. Determine which chapters, themes and styles you already know and what you need to study for your upcoming essay, midterm, or final exam. Orphan train summary orphan train spruce harbor, maine, 2011 union station, chicago, 1929 quiz orphan train spruce harbor, maine, 2011 albans, minnesota, 1929 quiz orphan train spruce harbor, maine, 2011 hemingford county, minnesota, 1930 quiz orphan train spruce harbor, maine, 2011 hemingford county, minnesota, 1930 quiz orphan train. The question and answer section for orphan train is a great resource to ask. Welcome to the litcharts study guide on christina baker klines orphan train. Animals and plant structures for reproduction notes. After tragedy, young girl shipped west on orphan train. Choose from 212 different sets of orphan train flashcards on quizlet. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. Aug 18, 2018 the orphan train by christina baker kline moves back and forth between two stories that of a young orphan girl in the early twentieth century and that of a teenager in the modernday foster care system. As such, book clubs that read this book have the opportunity to discuss american history, foster care issues or the relationships between characters in this particular novel. Orphan train tackles some pretty heavy themes, such as finding family and figuring out your identity.
She served as writerinresidence at fordham university from 2007 to 2011 and. She was deposited with the byrnes, who wanted only child labor in a dressmaking enterprise. Vivian traveled from nyc to minnesota as a young girl on one of the infamous orphan trains that was used to get orphans out of the cities into the country where they might have a better opportunity to find families and to be able to make a good life. I feel our students could relate to either story given the breadth of the two. This set of lesson plans consists of approximately 6 pages of tests, essay questions, lessons, and other teaching materials. She served as writer in residence at fordham university from 2007 to 2011 and. 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. Two of us had heard of orphan trains before reading this book. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
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