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Teen Book Review Blog

Kelly’s Review of “Orphan Train” by Christina Baker Kline

May 27, 2022

Review by Kelly

Orphan Train Kline

5 stars of 5

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline tells the story of a young girl named Vivian, who was orphaned after she and her family moved from Ireland to America in the early 20th century. Vivian, whose real name was Niamh, was discriminated against for being Irish, and the book paints a compelling portrait of a moment in US history when orphans were not treated well. Vivian was passed on from family to family because she was Irish. 

Christina Baker Kline’s novel conveys a truly sad story of a girl who came out of a tragic accident and ended up as an orphan, riding a train to find a home. Being Irish, Vivian was treated as vermin and forced to live in miserable and disgusting conditions. This book demonstrates how horribly orphans were treated and how severe racism affected a person’s life. Vivian lived a life of terror and fear everyday with the familes she was forced to live with. However, within this book, there is a display of hope. This novel’s main theme is identity. Vivian, as an Irish girl, had to change names several times to make her fit into the families she lived with to become their view of “American.” She had to keep changing herself in order to be liked, which allows the readers to feel empathy. It also allows the readers to view Vivian’s perspective and understand how unfortunate orphans were, especially the immigrants. I would give Orphan Train a 5 out of 5 stars. It is a sorrowful novel, yet powerfully engaging.

Historical Fiction, Orphan Train, Christina Baker Kline, Irish, American, Immigrants

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