Customer Reviews

Orphan Train Rider: One Boy's True Story

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I would like to start by saying that I think the suggested reading age is a little low. While the writing is well within in capabilities of most 4-6 graders, the subject may be a little touchy for the younger end of the group. I would be reluctant to let a sensative child read this book until at least the 5th grade.

That said, I think the book was wonderful.The writing is well done for children's non-fiction, but also is able to capture adult readers. The book is a fascinating story about one of the few surviving children who rode one of the orphan trains as well as the general story of the trains history.

My wife, 11 year old daughter and I read the book (my wife and I in 1 evening, my daughter the next) and then we discussed the concept of the trains, the needs for them and why such things are no longer in use in today's society. It made for a good family discussion and we all learned from the experience.

This book has very good content, as well as interesting information about the sociology of this country's past. It was well worth the read for both adults and our daughter and we all enjoyed it.

In 1924, seven-year-old Alton Lou Clement's mother died in childbirth. His father, unable to take care of his seven children, sent the oldest three out into the world, gave the baby to a friend of the family, and gave the other three (including Alton) to an orphanage. Before he knew it, Alton and his brothers were bundled onto a train and sent towards Texas. The train they were riding was called an "orphan train." The orphan trains, running from 1854 to 1930, would carry young orphans from overcrowded Eastern orphanages out to (hopefully) loving families in the Midwest and West. This is the story of Alton Lou Clement (later Lee Clement Nailling), and the orphan trains.

The story of the orphan trains is one not known by many people. (I only first heard about it when reading Changes For Samantha by Valerie Tripp.) This wonderful book simultaneously tells the heart-wrenching stories of Lee Nailling, the conditions that orphans lived under, and the orphan trains that ran for nearly a century. Thankfully, the story of Lee Nailling and his brothers has a happy ending, and also contains Lee's uplifting thoughts. This is a wonderful book.

This is the story of one boy's journey after being placed in an orphange in New York City. It is a historical look at of one of the orphan trains, and contains black and white photos. I had never heard, (nor do I remember learning), about this part of American history. A very good book and I glady recommend it to students from the 5th grade through the 8th grade, or those interested in American history. It will also be a good book for the teachers to review with the class.

This book would be an excellent follow-up to the movie "Orphan Train". It brings out the reality of the movement between 1854 and 1930 of 200,000 abandoned children to find homes in the West.

Chapters alternate between historical information on the movement and personal details and memories of orphans like Lee Nailling and his brothers.

The most touching moment for me was when Lee, who had every reason to be bitter and hate the world, finally found a home. Fully intending to run away again before morning, he fell asleep and was awakened by a call to breakfast. As a part of "grace" said before the meal by his mother-to-be, the boy heard, "Father, thank you for sending our new son to us, for the privilege of allowing us to raise him."

Lee commented, "I'm sure my jaw dropped in amazement. Somebody was actually thankful I was there!"

There are also many excellent photographs.

I try to find books for reading with my children. In this case, to read with my daughter who will enter the fourth grade. This book was on her summer reading list, and I'm glad we read it. This is a true story of a boy orphaned by the death of his mother and his father's ceding him and his siblings to the Children's Aid Society in New York State. This was a time in America that preceded government child welfare agencies for abused/neglected children. Instead, children were institutionalized in large orphanages (often called asylums) and eventually many were placed on trains to find homes with town people who would meet the trains at various stops.

The book uses the story of a young boy with two of his younger brothers sent on an orphan train and eventually being picked by families in Texas. Lee was the oldest and took the longest to find a good family.

The book gives information about the orphan train children in general and the reasons for their coming about. The author gives credit to the Children's Aid Society that was prominent in organizing these trains and notes that many of these children grew to become accomplished members in society. The book, however, also shows that not all these children were so lucky and they faced continued abuse at the hands of their adopted parents, and ridicule by school mates.

As a person who has worked extensively in the child welfare system, I found the book to be very relevant and a better way of explaining to my daughter the reason for my work. [...]

This book would be excellent for children in foster care even though they are not exactly in the same position as orphan train riders. They still could easily empathize with the children in this story. There is also an honest, hopeful comment by the adult Lee of perseverance and determination to overcome the circumstances in life even from those who never did find an accepting family. Unfortunately, this too is relevant for many youths in the current foster care system.

I read this to a 6th grade reading class and a year later they still talk about it and refer to it in discussion. The entire concept was so strange to them and the fact that it had really happened blew them away.

I chose this because in the 7th grade they read a novel about the Orphan Train experience

I found this book by accident in our local library and found it an immensely interesting and engaging read. It gives insight into the lives of orphans who took the "orphan trains" in the US between 1859-1929. About 200,000 children deemed "orphans" [even though many still had one or both parents still living] were sent to new homes in the country. The book focuses on the life of one little boy, 9-year-old Lee whose father, unable to cope with his seven children after their mother's death, gave some of his children to the Children's Aid Society in NY whilst sending the older ones out into the world to care for themselves. Lee finds himself in an orphanage where he feels alone and angry at being separated from his siblings and father. Eventually Lee is picked to ride the orphan train, and after several false starts, finds himself being placed in the care of benevolent and caring Ben and Ollie Nailling, with whom he finds a true home.

It is a heartwrenching read about a little known period in history [at least one I was unaware of] and it is significant because this was probably one of the largest migration of children in history. It also portrays the lives of unwanted, abandoned, and homeless children who were supposed to get a second chance at life through the orphan trains - many did find good homes, and made something of their lives, but others were not as fortunate, finding themselves physically and sexually abused instead [though the book does not dwell in any depth on this aspect, choosing to focus on Lee's journey and eventual happy ending].

This is educational, and is suitable for children aged 9 and older. It can be used in the classroom for discussion, and also read aloud. I hope to read it to my preschooler someday and have a discussion with her about it. Now that I've read this book, my curiosity is piqued and I plan on reading as much as possible about the Orphan Train Riders.

Adopted children can often feel like outsiders, even though they have found families who love them like their own. They may be teased about being adopted, they may be angry at their circumstances.

This book is an excellent treatment for all those problems, for it discusses the issue of adoption openly, and shows children that they are not alone.

In 63 photo-filled pages in 11 chapters, this book tells the historical story of more than 200,000 children who "rode 'orphan trains' in this country between 1854 and 1930. Their ranks included North Dakota governor Andrew Burke (1870-1873), a territory governor, a Supreme Court justice, sheriffs, mayors, college professors, clergymen, school superintendents, bankers, lawyers, postmasters, teachers, engineers and at least 7,000 soldiers and sailors. In other words, adopted children can grow up to be just as successful and productive as everyone else--often times, more so. There's no stigma or deficiency.

The book also covers the story of 'train riders' from the personal perspective of Lee Clement Nailling, who was taken in by an elderly childless couple, whom he came to call parents.

Aside from telling the history of the orphan train riders and the Children's Aid Society that devised the project, this book is comforting to adopted children.

--Alyssa A. Lappen

This is a story about a boy named Lee who is split up from his family when his mother dies, and is placed in a orphanage. Lee and his brother Leo spend two years like slaves in a New York orphange, when they get a chance at better life. They take a train to the West to find better homes. Even though the family is entirely split up, and some die over time, the family members find their way back home.

This book has very interesting facts and an amazing story that is true, but there is a problem. No offense to the author, but the writing is poor. I give it a 1 star. The three is for the story and facts. A five would have to have a good author also. I do recommend it, though. I sped through it because I loved it, but don't get it for the author's writing (which is poor). Get it if you think this topic sounds interesting, and trust me, it is!

I was so taken by the book read it three times. It is a piece of American histor on what efforts was made to find homes for Orphan children in finding them families to live with. Highly recommend.