Orphan Train Rider
One Boy's True Story
Between 1854 and 1930, an estimated 250,000 homeless children rode orphan trains across America in search of new families. Many were the sons and daughters of immigrants too poor or sick to care for them, while others were actual orphans. The trains were a unique American experiment to help these children to get off the streets and out of orphanages and find homes. Though flawed, in many instances it worked well.
This history is deeply intertwined with such issues as child welfare, child labor, and modern foster care in America. I wanted to write about it because I had met several older adults who rode the trains, and I was fascinated by their stories. This was my first nonfiction book for young readers.
I chose to tell the story of Lee Nailling, who was seven when his mother died. His father couldn’t care for Lee and his siblings, and Lee and two brothers were put on an orphan train in New York headed to Texas. Lee went through loss and rejection before he was finally placed with the Naillings. He was a bitter little boy by then, but their patience and kindness slowly won his trust, and Lee grew to love them deeply. He stayed connected to his brothers and was reunited with other siblings later in life. When he died in 2001, he was remembered as loving husband, father and grandfather, devoted to preserving orphan train history.
Reviews
A fascinating book about a social movement that predated foster homes, adoption agencies, and homeless shelters. . . .A wealth of information. . . .rich in human interest. It should be the primary purchase.”
-- School Library Journal (starred review)
A true story, and as such, compelling in its revelation of Lee’s emotions and the well-researched details of this American social experiment.”
-- Children’s Literature Choice List
Awards & Recognition
-
Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Children’s Nonfiction
-
Orphan Train Museum and Research Center Founders Award
-
American Library Association Notable Book
-
School Library Journal Best Book
-
New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading & Sharing
-
Hungry Mind Review Book of Distinction
-
Kansas State Reading Circle
-
Scholastic Book Club selection
-
Scholastic Press selection, “Top 200 Children’s Books for the Millennium"
-
Featured in Scholastic Storyworks Magazine
-
Society of Midland Authors Literary Award for Best Children’s Nonfiction
-
NCSS-CBC Notable Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies
-
Society of School Librarians International Best Book
-
Children’s Literature Choice List
-
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award
-
Pennsylvania Young Readers’ Award
-
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Award Master List
-
Lamplighter Award
-
Young Hoosier Book Award
-
Jane Addams Children’s Honor Book