Train to Somewhere: A Historical Orphan Train Story About a Mother and Adoption in the West for Kids (Ages 4-7)

Charmingly illustrated book based on true stories of the Orphan Trains. Great book for children today to learn to understand something of our history without "preachiness," and with a positive ending. Good book to use to discuss what is an orphan and why the Trains were needed, as well as the fact that not all of the orphan stories had a good ending. Some were mistreated. Some orphans had to be relocated, and some returned to the orphanages. Age seemed to be a factor, too. So glad to have this book!

My second grade students love this book! It really makes the experience come to life and seem personal for them. Great read aloud book.

I love this historical fiction story! The story is about Marianne, a little girl who's mother dropped her off at an orphanage and promised to come back and get her. Marianne and 14 other kids board the train and hope to find their family or someone to adopt them at all the stops. You feel sad for Marianne's situation and also feel as you are reading the story and her mother isn't at each stop, a sense of nervousness, hoping that her mother will show up or that someone will adopt her. True that this is a story with sad elements, but it's a great way to showcase to children that there are many children who are less fortunate than them and that there are children who don't have families like they do. It's a great reality check for kids. Sadly, these orphan trains were reality many years ago and the author does a fantastic job of bringing this concept to the modern age of children and making it understandable. Be prepared for some tough questions from kids as they try to understand how this could happen to other kids. The book is very well written and the illustrations capture that time period so well. The concept is more suited to older children between the ages of 8 and 12.

Beautiful story and decidedly my favorite Childrens book of all time. I stumbled upon this at our local library - admittedly picking it up because I thought it was about trains. Major, wonderful surprise. On first reading, I couldn't make it through page ten without tears - my voice catching in my throat. I quickly bought three copies and will continue to give this precious book as gifts. The author brings you directly onto the train seat with the characters - feeling the dashed hope of the main character as she seeks her mother at each station. I am so glad this book found me and have read it to my boys many times.

A haunting children's story, with incredible pathos and sentiment. The illustrations are excellent and portray the longing of the central character with great dignity.

THIS BOOK IS ABOUT A LITTLE GIRL WHO WENT ON THE ORPHAN TRAIN. THIS BOOK IS MORE FOR YOUNGER READERS. WRITTEN WERE THEY CAN UNDERSTAND THE STORY ALTHOUGH MY 15 YR OLD LIKED IT TOO.

it was veri informative for kids on not all kids have family and house to live in. these days kids are so demanding and expecting to have every thing they desire. this book shows there are/were many kids that don't even have a house to live with their families.

I loved this book very much! I read it aloud to my middle school students, and they were surprised to learn that orphans were transported across the country and sent to live with families who got to select an orphan to adopt when the train stopped in their town. My students felt a lot of empathy for the main character and expressed their concern for her. I recommend this book!

A very sad and moving story. It made me cry!

Goods as described. Fast shipping. Highly recommend

I am a primary school teacher. Always on the lookout for a good picture book. This one missed the mark for me. There wasn’t enough plot to engage me and I wouldn’t use with my class.