Orphan Journey Home [School & Library Binding]

Liza Ketchum (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2002 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

How will they ever get home now?

The year is 1828. Jesse and her family have left their failing farm in Illinois to return to Kentucky, where her grandmother lives. But everything changes when Mama and Papa both die a few days into the journey, and the four children arc left to finish it alone.

The wagon trails are more dangerous than they seem, especially for orphans, who can be captured and "bound out" as servants until they are grown. Will the children make it back to Kentucky? And if they do -- will they find a home there?

A spirited and stirring adventure story rich with historical detail, Orphan Journey Home charmed readers across the country through its first publication as a newspaper serial.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-In 1828, the Damron family heads home to Kentucky, where relatives and fertile land beckon after a disappointing turn at farming in Illinois. Tragedy strikes when both parents succumb to "milk sickness," leaving their four children to finish the long journey alone. Twelve-year-old Jesse narrates the story, portions of which are truly gut-wrenching. Immediately after their mother's death, they receive precious little comfort and some jarringly blunt specifications for a coffin: "Be sure to explain that your mama is heavy-the box needs to be short and wide." When their father dies soon after, they face the constant threat of being "bound out" as indentured servants-a common fate for orphans. Ultimately, the siblings navigate the hostile terrain with relative shrewdness and aplomb and reach Kentucky safely. Based on fact and originally published as a newspaper serial, the book boasts the same rough-hewn scratchboard illustrations that accompanied the first printing. Cliff-hanging chapter endings make it as suitable for sharing aloud as for independent reading. Ketchum creates realistic problems for her believably drawn young protagonists; as the Damrons approach Kentucky, complicated tensions mount regarding slavery, sickness, and the grim likelihood that the family could be forcibly torn apart. The author depicts an America that was often unremittingly cruel through the narrative voice of a quick-witted, resourceful young girl. An author's note addresses original readers' questions and feedback. A riveting adventure.
Catherine T. Quattlebaum, DeKalb County Public Library, Atlanta, GA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Liza Ketchum is the author of several books for young readers, including Twelve Days in August and The Gold Rush. Her interest in American history was sparked by stories of her pioneer ancestors, which she heard from her older relatives while she was growing up. She is the mother of two grown sons and lives with her husband in Massachusetts, where she conducts writing workshops for students of all ages. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• School & Library Binding
• Publisher: Tandem Library (November 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0613940512
• ISBN-13: 978-0613940511
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,638,497 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT BOOK FOR 4TH AND 5TH GRADERS! A++++, July 14, 2000

By 

Raina Hinman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Orphan Journey Home (An Avon Camelot Book) (Hardcover)

I taught this book to my 4th graders once a week because we received it in installments from the local newspaper. My kids couldn't wait for Thursdays. It was wonderful for prediction and survival knowledge skills for my students. I would highly recommend it for all kids in the 3-5th grade range. I even had kids that had difficulty reading enjoying this book. A+ 5 stars.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars orphanjourneyhome, April 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Orphan Journey Home (An Avon Camelot Book) (Hardcover)

In our classroom we got installments of this book in the newspaper and we couldn't wait for the next newspaper to be sent in. It was a story of the hardships of traveling with no parents, worrying about being bound-out and trying to keep the family alive and together. It was a diary kept by a girl named Jesse, describing their trip from Illinois to Kentucky

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for teacher's brief case, May 27, 2003

By 

Merrifield Winters (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Orphan Journey Home (An Avon Camelot Book) (Hardcover)

This book is superbly written and is a perfect and endearing story that should appeal to most students of almost any age. It is highly recommended as a read-aloud text for those times when you need to get the class quieted down after lunch or you need something good to read to your class. I found the story to be quite touching and rather beautiful.