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Orphan Train cover art

Orphan Train

Written by: Christina Baker Kline
Narrated by: Jessica Almasy, Suzanne Toren
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Publisher's Summary

Orphan Train is a gripping story of friendship and second chances from Christina Baker Kline, author of Bird in Hand and The Way Life Should Be.

Penobscot Indian Molly Ayer is close to "aging out" out of the foster care system. A community-service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping Molly out of juvie and worse....

As she helps Vivian sort through her possessions and memories, Molly learns that she and Vivian aren’t as different as they seem to be. A young Irish immigrant orphaned in New York City, Vivian was put on a train to the Midwest with hundreds of other children whose destinies would be determined by luck and chance. Molly discovers that she has the power to help Vivian find answers to mysteries that have haunted her for her entire life - answers that will ultimately free them both.

Rich in detail and epic in scope, Orphan Train is a powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of unexpected friendship, and of the secrets we carry that keep us from finding out who we are.

©2013 Christina Baker Kline (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

What the critics say

“The narrator of Orphan Train, Jessica Almasy, does an incredible read. Listening to Almasy’s rendition of this book - so vivid and emotional - was as much fun as getting swept away by an Oscar-winning movie.” (Parents.com)
"Absorbing...a heartfelt page-turner about two women finding a sense of home.... Kline lets us live the characters’ experiences vividly through their skin.... The growth from instinct to conscious understanding to partnership between the two is the foundation for a moving tale." ( Publishers Weekly)
“Kline's vibrant, sophisticated language comes alive with the sparkling talents of narrators Jessica Almasy and Suzanne Toren. Their finely paced, enthusiastic portrayals of the charming main characters quickly capture the listener.” ( AudioFile)

What listeners say about Orphan Train

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  • CT
  • 2018-07-19

Just ok

I had high hopes for this book but it was pretty boring. I finished Before we were yours and the Home for unwanted girls and was blown away. The Orphan train lacked substance and was fairly predictable.

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3 people found this helpful

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orphan train

I found the story to drag till more than halfway through. in the end once arriving at the Neilson home things came together and ending came quickly. Vivian had a tough life as did many orphan s then and now.

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1 person found this helpful

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lovely!

enjoyed the plot and characters! Appreciated the historical insight that I was unaware of as well. Very enjoyable!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great, heart warming story

A wonderful and interesting story about resilient people trying to survive in tough times and circumstances!

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Good Back Story - Connecting Plots

The orphan train storyline is gripping especially with the connections through Vivianne. Great ending leaning on the importance of chronology, and how life events lead to one another.

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  • Overall
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My Heart

What an amazing journey the author took us on. I could not put it down.

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Couldn’t put it down!

Loved the way the book went between generations. The narrators was fantastic. So easy to listen to.

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  • Overall
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Beautifully told story

Did not want the story to end. Story was told beautifully with rich characters. couldn't stop listening

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Wow! Wonderful read!

I seldom “read” unknown books on audible and even more seldom sit down to listen. I listen in my car or while I’m cooking. If I can sit I want a print book; bit this book, which was on my shelf for a while, dropped me and one evening I listened rather than watch TV.

The two story lines are woven together beautifully. The characters, even minor ones, are so fully drawn as to inspire hate or love. When it ended I was bereft that I had to say goodbye to Molly and Vivian. The story ended at a sensible place but it could have gone on

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    4 out of 5 stars

Great story!

This is a really great story. I enjoyed going back in time and then having it relate to the present.

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