Fly Little Bird, Fly! [Paperback]

Donna Nordmark Aviles (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 18, 2004

Holding tight to one another, vowing never to be separated, Oliver and Edward board the Orphan Train headed west to find a new home. The year is 1906 and the boys have been told that their mother has died and they are now alone. Follow the TRUE adventures of the Nordmark brothers as they travel on America's Orphan Train from the streets of New York City to the vast farmlands of the Midwest. Will they find a family to love? Will they be able to keep their promise? The future that awaits them will be full of twists and turns, surprises and anguish, all of which will shape their lives forever!

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

FLY LITTLE BIRD, FLY! and BEYOND THE ORPHAN TRAIN have recently been optioned by Los Angeles screenwriter William Rotko (BREACH, Universal Pictures) who is interested in making a movie that will bring the story of the orphan train movement to a larger audience. "It's very American - their journeys to find their places in the world. I'm attracted to true stories and these have a lot of heart. When you get into the minutiae of characters, you find a wellspring of drama, humor and adventure," he said.

About the Author

Donna Nordmark Aviles is the author of FLY LITTLE BIRD, FLY! The True Story of Oliver Nordmark & America's Orphan Trains, BEYOND THE ORPHAN TRAIN: A True Adventure, and PEANUT BUTTER FOR CUPCAKES: A True Story From the Great Depression.   Written for the 9-12 year old, these books are also enjoyed by adults who are interested in this unique piece of American history. 

FLY LITTLE BIRD, FLY! and BEYOND THE ORPHAN TRAIN were named the winner of the 2009 BEST BOOKS Award and PEANUT BUTTER FOR CUPCAKES was a 2009 Next Generation INDIE BOOK AWARD Finalist. 


Aviles enjoys visiting schools and community organizations to speak about the Orphan Train Movement of 1854-1929 as well as The Great Depression.  She is also available for SKYPE an AUTHOR Presentations.  For more information visit her website @ orphantrainbook.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Wasteland Press (February 18, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932852077
• ISBN-13: 978-1932852073
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,490,879 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

NEW FOR SCHOOLS!! SKYPE AN AUTHOR VISITS - A FUN WAY TO INVITE AN AUTHOR INTO YOUR CLASSROOM FOR A FRACTION OF THE COST, AND STUDENTS LOVE IT!! VISIT MY LINK @ http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/page/Donna+Aviles

A resident of Hockessin Delaware, Donna Nordmark Aviles is the granddaughter of Oliver Nordmark, the protagonist of her first two books, FLY LITTLE BIRD, FLY! and BEYOND THE ORPHAN TRAIN. Based on Oliver's oral history, these books tell the story of his early life as an orphan train rider from NYC to Kansas in 1906 in search of a home. Her third book, PEANUT BUTTER FOR CUPCAKES: A TRUE STORY FROM THE GREAT DEPRESSION is the story of Oliver's children and has been named the WINNER of the 2009 National Literary Foundation's Christopher Robin Award for Children's Literature. Additionally, it was named a 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Award FINALIST.

The AUDIOBOOK version of FLY LITTLE BIRD, FLY! and BEYOND THE ORPHAN TRAIN(available through the author's website- www.orphantrainbook.com) was named the WINNER in the 2009 BEST BOOKS AWARD sponsored by USA Book News.

Aviles has worked in many fields including foreign exchange, social services and business. After raising three children, she returned to her early love of writing, being inspired by Oliver's story. She enjoys speaking to school students and organizations about the Orphan Train Movement of 1854-1929 and The Great Depression and will be on a book tour to central Kansas in April, 2010 - sponsored by the Salina Arts & Humanities Commission. Donna Aviles is a founding member of the Independent Authors Guild, a member of the Orphan Train Historical Society of America and a contributing member of the PODBRAM Review Team (a popular online review site that offers cost free, honest reviews of deserving independent books). To learn more about Aviles' books and the Orphan Train Movement, visit the author's website at www.orphantrainbook.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful True Story from the Orphan Trains, April 23, 2005

By 

Orphan Train Author (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fly Little Bird, Fly! (Paperback)

The granddaughter of Oliver Nordmark tells the true story of Oliver's trip on an orphan train from New York to Kansas in 1906. He was accompanied by his brother, Edward. Author Donna Nordmark does an excellent job of describing the emotions the brothers felt on their westward journey, and details the trials and triumphs of their young lives in the homes of their foster families. The book ends with a cliffhanger - leaving one wondering if the two brothers will ever be reunited, after being placed in different communities from the orphan train. The sequel to this book is now available, and will undoubtedly hold the answer. This book is written for children ages 7-12, but can really be enjoyed by young and old alike.
Reviewed by Clark Kidder (Author of Orphan Trains and Their Precious Cargo - The Life's Work of Rev. H. D. Clarke (Heritage Books, Inc., Bowie, MD)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life's Lessons Learned the Hard Way, July 19, 2007

By 

D. Salerni (Chester County, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fly Little Bird, Fly! (Paperback)

Oliver Nordmark is only seven when a single day's truancy lands him in a New York City youth detention center in 1905. Shortly thereafter, he is coldly informed that his mother has died and he and his three-year old brother are orphans. Life in the city orphanage is harsh, and when overcrowding causes city officials to ship the orphans out west by trains, it seems an opportunity for a better life. Oliver takes his young brother Edward under his wing, and they hope to be taken in by a loving family. But do the people who meet the train in Kansas want sons - or cheap labor? Fly Little Bird, Fly is a true story of life at the turn of the century, where little boys can't count on love or fairness and two brothers learn " the only one looking out for us -- is us."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine novel for young readers, sure to please, April 4, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fly Little Bird, Fly! (Paperback)

In search of a place to belong, some will travel thousands of miles. "Fly Little Bird, Fly!" tells the story of Oliver and Edward, two orphans with no place to go. Riding a train from New York City to the Midwest, the two embark on an adventure in search of a family to love and to love them. A moving story of the determination of children, "Fly Little Bird, Fly!" is a fine novel for young readers, sure to please. Also of recommended is the book's sequel, "Beyond the Orphan Train", continuing the story of Oliver and Edward.