Reviews of Orphan Train Rider: One Boy's True Story

Between 1854 and 1930, more than 200,000 orphaned and abandoned children from the cities of the eastern seaboard were "placed out" to new homes and families in the midwest and western states. Warren's account of the "orphan-train" phenomena, and of one man's story of how it affected his life, is an excellent introduction to researching or discussing children-at-risk in an earlier generation. The book is clearly written and illustrated with numerous black-and-white photographs and reproductions. The chapters alternate information about the largest agency, the Children's Aid Society, and its history, with the story of Lee Nailling, from whom the author has gathered the facts of his own childhood journey to Texas and his eventual reunion, late in life, with some of his long-lost siblings. Human interest is skillfully interspersed

with factual information to create a fascinating book about a social movement that predated today's foster homes, adoption agencies, and homeless shelters. . . . .If only one book can be acquired, Warren's title offers a wealth of information and is rich in human interest. It should be the primary purchase.