Orphan train by christina baker kline i remember at the age of 10 or so reading a novel about the late19th and early 20thcentury orphan trains, which took children and babies from east coast slums and brought them to the midwest, where they were given an opportunity for a potentially prosperous new life in the fresh rural air. Belonging and connection molly ayer and vivian daly, two women born in different places and eras and who were orphaned as young children, both struggle to find a sense of home and belonging. Orphan train tackles some pretty heavy themes, such as finding family and figuring out your identity. Bridget collins is in dire straits she needs to get out of new york, fast. This is the book ive most been looking forward to reading this summer, so im ready to jump in with both feet. The currant bread and rhubarb tart both would qualify as irish desserts. The year is 2011 and molly is in trouble with the law. Irish fare an entire menu of irish dishes also would be suitable for a book club discussing orphan train. The orphan train by christina baker kline moves back and forth between two stories that of a young orphan girl in the early twentieth century. Some of the food ideas are from the book like the terrys famous chowder but most of this book took place during the great depression so food was scarce and there was no way i was eating squirrel as the main dish. Lesson plans and resources for orphan train table of contents 1.
Orphan train orphan train book, orphan train, book club. Orphan train book club ideas part 1 book club books. Orphan train by christina baker kline reading guidebook. These questions about the novel can help foster discussion in your group.
Kline reminds us that we never really lose anyone or anything orperhaps most importantlyourselves. Orphan train by christina baker kline is a book that has many themes. Christina baker klines orphan train is an unforgettable story of friendship and second chances that highlights a littleknown but historically significant movement in americas pastand it includes a special ps section for book clubs featuring insights, interviews, and more. Orphan train thanks for joining us as we start the our final book of the summer reading book club, orphan train by christina baker kline. Orphan train is a best book club book for discussion, the novel of a woman with a hidden past as an orphantrain rider and a teenage girl seeking answers about her life. See more ideas about orphan train, orphan and train. I love the idea of having a monthly book club theme. If you enjoy historical fiction, check out this quick, easy read.
A nonfiction book like just mercy doesnt readily lend itself to menu ideas for a gathering, since food isnt often discussed in the text. Orphan train is a book set in both the present day and the late 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. Author bio birth1964 raisedin maine and tennessee, usa, and the uk educationb. The orphan train series hearts on the rails author rachel wesson, read orphan train escape hearts on the rails, by rachel wesson available from rakuten kobo. Orphan train tells the intertwined stories of two orphans born nearly a century apart. Christina baker klines novel orphan train has ridden the new york times bestseller list for the past 15 weeks, becoming a favorite of book clubs across the country. Today we have a recipe inspired by this months book club selection, orphan train, and created by chef ingrid of edible tapestry. I love books new books good books books to read book club books the book book clubs orphan train book reading lists. In orphan train, christina baker kline seamlessly knits together the past and present of two women, one young and one old. Sep 16, 2015 books that the shelter island library book club has read or will read. Not only is it entertaining and educational, it is also an excellent discussion book. Orphan train was a mix of favorite childhood books of mine such as anne of green gables, heidi, and understood betsy, and ms. How perfect was it to put the toy train around the food. After having made a fast friend on the journey west.
Today, we welcome christina to the blog to discuss her experience with book clubs and the three most common questions that clubs have asked. Read an exclusive excerpt from elizabeth strouts olive, again. Orphan train book club ideas part 2 ive come to think thats what heaven is a place in the memory of others where our best selves live on. In the prologue vivian mentions that her true love died when she was 23, but she doesnt mention the other big secret in the book. Find exciting ideas from book clubs all over the country what theyre reading, what theyre eating, and how theyre blending the two as well as recipes from some of your favorite authors and book giveaways. Kline has written six other novels orphan train, orphan train girl, the way life should be, sweet water, bird in hand, and desire lines and written or edited five works of nonfiction. Orphan train is a young adult historical fiction novel about the relationship between seventeen yearold molly ayer and ninetyone yearold vivian daly who, as the result of spending time together and sharing their experiences, form a bond, learn from each other, and change in significant ways. Moving between contemporary maine and depressionera minnesota, orphan train is a powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of second chances, and unexpected friendship. Hi im jess, and i call the rocket city huntsville, al home. If you are the publisher or author of this book and feel that the. A great glass of wine and a good book have gone together almost as long as there have been.
The plot of the book has each member of the club presenting the book that means the most to them in their lives, so book clubs are sure to take. Here are a few top book club selections and coordinating menus that are sure to add a new depth of flavor to your discussions. Molly ayer is living with ralph and dina in their home in spruce harbor, maine. I remember at the age of 10 or so reading a novel about the late19th and early 20thcentury orphan trains, which took children and babies.
Homes wanted orphan train, orphan train book, book club books. Book club questions for the orphan train by christina baker. The orphan train by christina baker kline questions. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. The orphan train movement transported around needy, neglected, and orphaned children from new york to other regions of the united states and canada from 1854 to inspired by the roughly orphaned children calling the streets of new york home. Recommending new books each month to spark lively conversation.
There is the theme of foster care, adoption, family history, unexpected relationships. Read the secret life of bees before watching the movie the secret life of bees, sue monk. Dont let the food get in the way of the allimportant ending. We thought it fitting to provide this for the she reads book clubs that will meet throughout the month to discuss the novel. Cook ahead and be ready long before the members arrive. To keep our theme on track, our cohosts served a typical 1930s, minnesotastyle, sunday dinner including all the fixings. This book illustrates that effect by looking at the fates of orphan train riders in aggregate, and by telling the stories of particular children. The girl on the train book club discussion questions. You might consider serving a menu based on what anthony ray hinton ate when he was released from death row. In addition to orphan train 2011 and a piece of the world 2017, her novels include bird in hand, the way life should be, desire lines, and sweet water. Belonging and connection molly ayer and vivian daly, two women born in different places and eras and who were orphaned as young children, both.
Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course. Questions every book club asks, the story behind the writing of orphan train, and more. We hope you find the book and this dish equally delicious. Sep 05, 2016 for example, when my book club read orphan train by christina baker kline i found this interview with the author, and it sparked some great conversation there are spoilers in there. Between 1854 and 1929, socalled orphan trains ran regularly from the cities of the east coast to the farmlands of the midwest, carrying thousands of abandoned children whose. As such, book clubs that read this book have the opportunity. Atonement, ian mcewan serve high tea and transport your book group to prewwii england and the large country estate of the tallis family. Through reading the book and completing any of the suggested activities, students can achieve any. Orphan train themes from litcharts the creators of. Bridget collins is in dire straits she needs to get out of new york. The orphan train by christina baker kline moves back and forth between two stories that of a young orphan girl in the early twentieth century and that of a teenager in the modernday foster care system. Welcome to a meeting place for publishers, authors, and book clubs to connect. Christina baker kline, orphan train orphan train by christina baker kline is a book that has many themes.
Set against the turbulent backdrop of american vaudeville, four sisters embark on an unexpected adventureand a lastditch effort to save their family. A novel christina baker kline, 20 harpercollins 278 pp. Niamh pronounced neev was an irish immigrant girl sent on an orphan train from new york city to minnesota in the late 1920s. Adapted and condensed for a young audience, it includes an authors note and archival photos from the orphan train era.
It will definitely make choosing books easier and there are so many to choose from in this list of monthly book club theme ideas. I had no idea that this happened with orphans in america. Today, we welcome christina to the blog to discuss her experience with book clubs and the three most common questions that clubs have asked her. Apr 11, 2014 online resources and questions for your book club to connect your groups lives, interests and personal experiences to books you discuss, friday, april 11, 2014 orphan train book discussion guide. In addition to orphan train 2011 and a piece of the world 2017, her novels include bird in hand. I chose this book for the sixty and me community because.
Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in orphan train, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Orphan train book club ideas part 1 have you read this incredible story about our history in america. Orphan train is a story of mobility and rootlessness, highlighting a littleknown but historically significant moment in american history. Orphan train book discussion guide book discussions. One is a seventeen years old living in foster care. Oprah announces olive, again by elizabeth strout, as the latest selection for oprahs book club. You can also try to connect with authors on social media they may give you some great discussion ideas or even offer to skype with your book club. The orphan train by christina baker kline questions thoughtco. Picking a complete makeahead menu for the night is a must, especially if you have a few more pages to read before the book club starts. Christina baker klines orphan train is an unforgettable story of friendship and second chances that highlights a littleknown but historically significant movement in americas pastand it includes a special ps section for book clubs featuring insights, interviews, and more penobscot indian molly ayer is close to aging out out of. Orphan train is a fascinating story of friendship between women from two generations. Orphan train themes from litcharts the creators of sparknotes.
The book is available now on apple books in both ebook and audiobook formats. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. There is the theme of foster care, adoption, family history, unexpected relationships, inhumane acts of violence and of course the train that took children from large cities to be adopted by families in the midwest to be more like indentured servants then a part of a new family. I love books great books books to read my books this book secret life the secret bee book lectures.
Kline also commissioned and edited two widely praised collections of original essays on the first year of parenthood and raising young children, child of mine and room to grow. Orphan train by christina baker kline reading guidebook club. See more ideas about orphan train, books and library books. Vivian traveled from nyc to minnesota as a young girl on one of the infamous orphan trains that was used to get orphans out of the cities into the country where they might have a better opportunity to find families and to be able to make a good life. When her entire family is killed in a fire in 1929, nineyearold niamh is turned over to a childrens charity and put on an orphan train, sent to minnesota in the hopes of finding a new home. There is the theme of foster care, adoption, family history, unexpected. Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning. Apr 22, 2020 welcome to a meeting place for publishers, authors, and book clubs to connect. Everyone in book club hopped on board for orphan train donning either train conductor, engineering or 1930s garb.
Aug 18, 2018 the orphan train by christina baker kline moves back and forth between two stories that of a young orphan girl in the early twentieth century and that of a teenager in the modernday foster care system. Today, we welcome christina to the blog to discuss her experience with book clubs and the three most common questions that clubs have asked her about the novel. Im always doing my best to stay active and try new things. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. Orphan train by christina baker kline book club discussion. While im not doing my 85, you can find me hanging out with my lab mix riley or starting a craft or project sometimes multiple around the house. Between 1854 and 1929, socalled orphan trains transported more than 200,000 orphaned, abandoned, and homeless children from the coastal cities of the eastern united states to the midwest, where they. Orphan train recipes for book clubs tosas allcity read. Online resources and questions for your book club to connect your groups lives, interests and personal experiences to books you discuss, friday. Online resources and questions for your book club to connect your groups lives, interests and. Like molly, though, niamhs road to a loving home is anything but easy. The orphan train has several threads for book clubs to discuss. For fans of orphan train and water for elephants, a compelling historical novel from one of the best authors of womens fiction library journal.
But in interviews, and on her blog, kline says one of the major themes she wanted to tackle. This book guide has moved to my new blog, relevant reads. Orphan train by christina baker kline, paperback barnes. Orphan train is a best book club book for discussion, the novel of a woman with a hidden past as an orphan train rider and a teenage girl seeking answers about her life. Some of the food ideas are from the book like the terrys famous chowder but most of this book took place during the great depression so food was scarce and there was no way i was. Make every book club discussion a meaningful one with these simple, but compelling book club questions that work for any book. The story follows two timelines, one modern day story of a 17 year old in foster care and one story that goes back to the historical time period of the last orphan trains in america in 1929 that brought many orphans to the midwest from the east coast. Orphan train girl tells the story of a young foster girl who forms an unlikely bond with a ninetyoneyearold woman, who had been an orphan train rider as a young girl. John jackson, who at five years old walked off after a marching band and never found his way home again. Orphan train book club ideas part 2 delicious reads. Orphan train by american author, christina baker kline, is historical fiction that is a recent pick by one of our book club members. One thousand white women by jim fergus our book club s choice for february based on historical events, one thousand white women, is the fictional story of may dodd and a colorful assembly of pioneer women who travel to the western prairies in 1875 to intermarry among the cheyenne indians.