Kline, Christina Baker.
ORPHAN TRAIN GIRL : THE YOUNG READERS' EDITION OF ORPHAN TRAIN
New York : Harper, 2017
IL 3-6, RL 5.6
ISBN 0062445944

(2 booktalks)

Booktalk #1

Molly Ayer was only eight when she was placed in foster care. She has not had an easy life and now she is in trouble and forced to perform community service. She is assigned to an elderly woman who needs some help cleaning out her attic. Molly is not thrilled with this assignment but how bad can it be? As they get to know each other, Molly learns that Vivian was orphaned as a young child and sent from New York on a train to find a new home. These "orphan trains" were devised as a good way to find homes for city orphans and to help people in the midwest who could use help. Vivian tells of her adventures on the train and of the homes that did not work out. Molly begins to bond with Vivian and can't wait to hear the next installment of the story.

Booktalk #2

When Molly is caught stealing a library book, she must serve community service by helping an elderly neighbor clean out her attic. While spending time with Vivian, Molly discovers that she isn’t the only one who has lost family. Told in alternating voices between a experiences of Molly, a present day girl in foster care, and Vivian, an orphaned girl in the 1920’s, this historical fiction/realistic fiction story will explore forgiveness, family, and fresh starts. Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award 2018-2019