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Train to Somewhere
Marianne, heading west with fourteen other children on an Orphan Train, is sure her mother will show up at one of the stations along the way. When her mother left Marianne at the orphanage, hadn't she promised she'd come for her after making a new life in the West? Stop after stop goes by, and there's no sign of her mother in the crowds that come to look over the children. No one shows any interest in adopting shy, plain Marianne, either. But that's all right: She has to be free for her mother to claim her. Then the train pulls into its final stop, a town called Somewhere . . .
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
25 people are currently reading
473 people want to read
About the author
Eve Bunting
291books404followersAlso known as Evelyn Bolton and A.E. Bunting.
Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.
Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies� the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.� This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.
In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.
Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.
Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies� the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.� This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.
In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
August 28, 2021
I read this book aloud to my Grade 3 students several years ago as an introduction to historical fiction. This was my personal introduction to Orphan Trains. It is a very heartfelt story which focuses on the feelings of the children involved as well as the events before, during and after riding an Orphan Train.
I clearly remember that my students were quite moved by this story and the unfairness of it all. Highly recommend for ages 8 and up!
Note: When I found out that there was a novel called by , I just had to read it!
I clearly remember that my students were quite moved by this story and the unfairness of it all. Highly recommend for ages 8 and up!
Note: When I found out that there was a novel called by , I just had to read it!
May 11, 2020
This historically based, fictional tale provides a poignant look at a transformative period of time in American history. The Orphan Train riders rode the train to the New West in hopes of a new family and a better life. Bunting’s effectual story emphasizes the orphans� perspectives and states of mind as they begin the journey westward and come to terms with the new lives awaiting them.
September 18, 2021
From the mid-1850s till the late 1920s, an estimated 100,000 homeless children were sent by train from New York City to small towns and farms in the Midwest. Charles Loring Brace of the Children's Aid Society hoped to place them with caring families.
While some children did well and found love and security. Some children did not. Some exchanged one kind of misery for another.
This is the story of orphan children, going West, dreaming of a better life. The Orphan Train itself is real; the route it takes and the place names are fictional. The town of Somewhere excess only on the map of the author's imagination.
Highly recommend this book for children age eight and above. 5 stars ⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️⭐️�
While some children did well and found love and security. Some children did not. Some exchanged one kind of misery for another.
This is the story of orphan children, going West, dreaming of a better life. The Orphan Train itself is real; the route it takes and the place names are fictional. The town of Somewhere excess only on the map of the author's imagination.
Highly recommend this book for children age eight and above. 5 stars ⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️⭐️�
February 17, 2017
Use this book to teach historical fiction. Paired with primary and secondary sources it does a great job of telling a story about orphan trains.
July 25, 2018
I LOVE Eve Bunting. I just want to say. Clearing out my "To Read" list starting with the easier picture books that were placed on it 8 years ago or so, I was delighted to see that there are more Eve Bunting picture books I haven't read yet. I read this beautifully illustrated piece about the "orphan trains" heading out from NYC to the midwest through burning blurry eyes and with a constricted throat. And then I just balled. She does this to me all the time.
Upper elementary to middle school teachers: I'm thinking about the new(er) Social Studies Framework inquiry-based approach here and all of the possibilities. This story is a fascinating little piece of fiction that would ignite inquiry about our history, I think. Were there really orphan trains? Are there still? Why not? There is evidence in the narrative that some of the "adoptive parents" were looking for workers rather than children--it felt like the slave auctions, except that these workers (children) were free to take with the signing of a paper. How did it turn out for these kids? Was there oversight and home visits? What may happen to the hundreds of children separated from their families who have been deported right now in our time? How has adoption policies and child protection changed over time? If a mom wants to leave her daughter to "go start a life out west," can she just leave her at an orphanage? What programs and institutions exist now to help children who don't have parents? Oh the research possibilities!
Upper elementary to middle school teachers: I'm thinking about the new(er) Social Studies Framework inquiry-based approach here and all of the possibilities. This story is a fascinating little piece of fiction that would ignite inquiry about our history, I think. Were there really orphan trains? Are there still? Why not? There is evidence in the narrative that some of the "adoptive parents" were looking for workers rather than children--it felt like the slave auctions, except that these workers (children) were free to take with the signing of a paper. How did it turn out for these kids? Was there oversight and home visits? What may happen to the hundreds of children separated from their families who have been deported right now in our time? How has adoption policies and child protection changed over time? If a mom wants to leave her daughter to "go start a life out west," can she just leave her at an orphanage? What programs and institutions exist now to help children who don't have parents? Oh the research possibilities!
November 5, 2009
With beautifully painted realistic pictures this book tells the sad story of 14 orphan children hoping for a better life during the 1920's. As I read the book the beginning scene where the children are led into city hall, I felt myself thinking about slavery as the adults checked out the kids. They pointed out things like that one looks "good for harvest." It really upset me to read this and imagine how the children must have felt. The children are so hopeful for a good life and so sad to leave the comfort of one another. I could feel the pain of the main character as she dreamt of meeting up with her mother again. Even though I have never been an orphan, the author did a good job of making the pain something I could relate to. Most children reading this book have parents, or guardians, looking after them, and every child just wants someone to love and protect them (like the orphans want!). I love the ending to this story as Marianne finds solace in her decision to accept her new family.
I think this is a startingly shocking story that surprised me and opened me to a new persective on the history of our country. I have never been aware of the epidemic of orphans during the 1920's and I learned so much from reading this. Though the story was not a first hand story or based on family told stories, it seems to be an authentic representation of history.
Grades 3-5
I think this is a startingly shocking story that surprised me and opened me to a new persective on the history of our country. I have never been aware of the epidemic of orphans during the 1920's and I learned so much from reading this. Though the story was not a first hand story or based on family told stories, it seems to be an authentic representation of history.
Grades 3-5
November 23, 2015
This book was incredible with the mood. Although it was kind of depressing it had a great theme. When I first read it I had expected a different ending than what actually happened. I recommend this book to you!
January 19, 2020
A Train to Somewhere is fictional story of orphan train riders set in the mid-19th century during the mass migration to New York. Miss Randolph is charged with supervising the adoption process of 14 children as they head west in hopes of an adoptive family and better living conditions. Although not related by blood, Marianne and five year old Nora have become like sisters and don't want to be separated. However, secretly Marianne hopes to find her mom who promised to come for her after making a better life. The girls had planned to introduce themselves as sisters hoping that they get adopted together. One by one as the train stops at small towns orphans get adopted. Will Marianne find her mom? Will she and Nora stay together?
This book can help teachers expose students to social justice issues like abandonment and abuse. It can also highlight prejudice behaviors and injustices children faced then and now.
This book can help teachers expose students to social justice issues like abandonment and abuse. It can also highlight prejudice behaviors and injustices children faced then and now.
November 19, 2017
I have no idea HOW I keep coming across all of these books that are just turning on the ol' waterworks full force, but I am! Maybe I'm just emotional lately? Don't know.
A teacher turned this one in, and it reminded me of one that I'd read in a basal reader as a child. Sure enough, it was the one! Just as beautiful and thought-provoking as I remember. This was the story that started my long-held obsession with the Orphan Train, which then fueled my boarding school phase. Ah, memories!!
A teacher turned this one in, and it reminded me of one that I'd read in a basal reader as a child. Sure enough, it was the one! Just as beautiful and thought-provoking as I remember. This was the story that started my long-held obsession with the Orphan Train, which then fueled my boarding school phase. Ah, memories!!
January 30, 2019
A sweet and heartwarming story about a girl on an orphan train in the late 1800's.
Ages: 5 - 9
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
Ages: 5 - 9
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
January 19, 2018
The book is about 14 orphans that go on a train ride to find a family. The main little girl Marianne is hoping to not get picked because she is sure her mom will be at one of the stops to get her. After being the last one left after all the stops she seems to find more than she was expecting. The story was cute and touching.
January 15, 2018
A heart breaking story with a sweet ending.
1/15/18 Read with Naomi and Julia.
1/15/18 Read with Naomi and Julia.
September 7, 2021
A poignant story with beautiful illustrations.
September 7, 2016
There was a plethora of children who were orphans or homeless in Amerrica during the years of 1850's through the 1920's. There simply were not enough orphanages to accommodate all those in need. The solution was to place children on trains heading for the mid west where at specific stops, adults would look the children over, and then decide which one to take.
Some children landed in good homes and were loved. Yet, others were used as unpaid help on farms or as house keepers. Naturally, those who wanted a child to love, picked the youngest ones first, leaving older ones to be chosen as workers.
Based on this historical event, the author tells the story of Marianne, who with fourteen other children took the train to locations throughout the midwest in the hope they would first and foremost be wanted and loved. Sadly, Marianne was not a beautiful little child. She was heading toward teen age years, hoping against any probability that at one of the stops her biological mother would be there to claim and love her.
Left at the orphanage, she was promised by her mother that she would come and get her when it was financially possible to raise her. With soft illustrations, Ronald Himler's art and Eve Bunting's ability to tell a poignant story, capture the readers emotions as they route for Marianne to be loved.
Her one little friend Nora is easily taken on one of the first stops. Lying and telling the couple that Marianne is her sister, does not entice the couple to take two children.
Alas, as the train approaches the very last stop, in a small town named "Somewhere," Marianne is the only child left. As tears softly fall on her face, she notices that there is one elder couple on the platform. They long for a child and as they tell her they wanted a boy, they readily accept that she is she is the one for them.
Some children landed in good homes and were loved. Yet, others were used as unpaid help on farms or as house keepers. Naturally, those who wanted a child to love, picked the youngest ones first, leaving older ones to be chosen as workers.
Based on this historical event, the author tells the story of Marianne, who with fourteen other children took the train to locations throughout the midwest in the hope they would first and foremost be wanted and loved. Sadly, Marianne was not a beautiful little child. She was heading toward teen age years, hoping against any probability that at one of the stops her biological mother would be there to claim and love her.
Left at the orphanage, she was promised by her mother that she would come and get her when it was financially possible to raise her. With soft illustrations, Ronald Himler's art and Eve Bunting's ability to tell a poignant story, capture the readers emotions as they route for Marianne to be loved.
Her one little friend Nora is easily taken on one of the first stops. Lying and telling the couple that Marianne is her sister, does not entice the couple to take two children.
Alas, as the train approaches the very last stop, in a small town named "Somewhere," Marianne is the only child left. As tears softly fall on her face, she notices that there is one elder couple on the platform. They long for a child and as they tell her they wanted a boy, they readily accept that she is she is the one for them.
April 24, 2016
Train to Somewhere, by Eve Bunting, takes the reader on a train ride journey with fourteen orphans as they travel from town to town hoping to find a new family by being adopted. Two of the orphans, Nora and Marianne are close friends and hope not to be separated and are longing to be adopted together. But what Marianne wants more than anything is to find her real mother waiting for her at one of the train stops. As the train rolls into each stop, the orphans are quickly being adopted, until Marianne is the only one left. Will she find her mother waiting for her and her biggest wish come true, or will she discover that life sometimes brings better things our way that we never anticipated?
The author's setting of the 19th century time period is easily depicted in the illustrations as the characters are dressed in the dresses and headpieces from that era. The plot of the story takes the reader sequentially from train stop to train stop as the historical events of children being adopted to work on Midwest farms is introduced, and the reader feels the conflict Marianne has each time she doesn't see her mother and then, is still not chosen for adoption. Young readers will experience the theme of what children during this time period endured in losing their original family and being placed at each train stop to be selected by a new family. The historical perspective is evident as the audience gets to experience the viewpoint of Ms. Randolph as their chaperon, and the feelings of the children being lined up for selection, some happy, some sad, some scared and some disappointed. Readers will be able to empathize with the children and develop an understanding of what it would have been like to be orphaned during this time period.
The author's setting of the 19th century time period is easily depicted in the illustrations as the characters are dressed in the dresses and headpieces from that era. The plot of the story takes the reader sequentially from train stop to train stop as the historical events of children being adopted to work on Midwest farms is introduced, and the reader feels the conflict Marianne has each time she doesn't see her mother and then, is still not chosen for adoption. Young readers will experience the theme of what children during this time period endured in losing their original family and being placed at each train stop to be selected by a new family. The historical perspective is evident as the audience gets to experience the viewpoint of Ms. Randolph as their chaperon, and the feelings of the children being lined up for selection, some happy, some sad, some scared and some disappointed. Readers will be able to empathize with the children and develop an understanding of what it would have been like to be orphaned during this time period.
July 1, 2017
Train to Somewhere is an emotional historical fiction picture book written by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Ronald Himler. It is the story of a young child named Marianne, who is riding the orphan train. She is riding in hopes that her mother will pick her up at one of the stops after she starts a new life out West. As the story and plot chug along (see what I did there), your heart is tugged as you hope that she spots her mother. As unfortunate as this tale is, the feeling of hope remains throughout the story for the reader.
The painted illustrations are very realistic and beautiful. They support the chilling tale of orphan trains during the early 1900’s. The pictures allow the reader to feel what it must have felt like riding these sad trains during this time in America’s history. The blurred faces of the fellow train riders is interesting and the main character is the only one brought into focus. The mood and tone of the story are well conveyed through each artistic opportunity. The drawings are realistic, which allows children as well as adults to relate to them through the images.
This story would be a great addition to the historical fiction classroom library. Children who may not have heard of this period in our country’s history can empathize with the story of our young protagonist, Marianne. As sad as the story can become, it leaves the reader with a feeling of hope. The theme of adoption can be a struggle to discuss for children and this story may help youngsters understand better what it might be like.
The painted illustrations are very realistic and beautiful. They support the chilling tale of orphan trains during the early 1900’s. The pictures allow the reader to feel what it must have felt like riding these sad trains during this time in America’s history. The blurred faces of the fellow train riders is interesting and the main character is the only one brought into focus. The mood and tone of the story are well conveyed through each artistic opportunity. The drawings are realistic, which allows children as well as adults to relate to them through the images.
This story would be a great addition to the historical fiction classroom library. Children who may not have heard of this period in our country’s history can empathize with the story of our young protagonist, Marianne. As sad as the story can become, it leaves the reader with a feeling of hope. The theme of adoption can be a struggle to discuss for children and this story may help youngsters understand better what it might be like.
November 1, 2009
Summary:
This story, appropriate for third grade readers and older, tells of a young orphan girl, Marianne, and her journey on an American orphan train headed West. Trains like these ran from the mid-1800's to 1920, carrying homeless children across the country to find families and home where they were needed. At each stop men and women inspect the children for health and a suitable purpose, taking boys for heavy labor and farm hands and pretty girls for housework and childcare. Sadly, at each stop, more and more children are taken, but Marianne is left behind each time. In the beginning Marianne does not seem to care, as she is searching for her own mother, who left her years before "to [go:] West to make a new life for us." She had promised to come back for Marianne, but so many years passed, Marianne now has a chance to go West, too, hoping her mother is waiting at one of the train stops for her. As each stop passes without a sign of her mother, Marianne must deal with the true feeling of being alone and unwanted, both by her real mother and the other men and women who look over her each time. Will she find her mother? Will she find a family where she is wanted? Or will she be taken back to New York to join the next group of children on the next train to Somewhere?
This story, appropriate for third grade readers and older, tells of a young orphan girl, Marianne, and her journey on an American orphan train headed West. Trains like these ran from the mid-1800's to 1920, carrying homeless children across the country to find families and home where they were needed. At each stop men and women inspect the children for health and a suitable purpose, taking boys for heavy labor and farm hands and pretty girls for housework and childcare. Sadly, at each stop, more and more children are taken, but Marianne is left behind each time. In the beginning Marianne does not seem to care, as she is searching for her own mother, who left her years before "to [go:] West to make a new life for us." She had promised to come back for Marianne, but so many years passed, Marianne now has a chance to go West, too, hoping her mother is waiting at one of the train stops for her. As each stop passes without a sign of her mother, Marianne must deal with the true feeling of being alone and unwanted, both by her real mother and the other men and women who look over her each time. Will she find her mother? Will she find a family where she is wanted? Or will she be taken back to New York to join the next group of children on the next train to Somewhere?
February 24, 2010
Train To Somewhere is an elementary age book about the orphan trains from around the beginning of the 20th century. There are many children on the train that will travel west. Marianne is an older child who knows she is not as young and cute as she would need to be in order to be picked first. She is okay with this since she is hoping to find her mother who went west years earlier. As the train travels, she is separated from her friends and it starts to bother her that no one wants her. At the final stop there is one older couple waiting. She wasn’t what they expected and they aren’t what she hoped for, but they see how they can care for each other.
I can see this story being used for a read aloud, but I don’t think I would be able to keep it together at the end. This story was so sad, but very good. I felt so bad for the girl when she was holding out hope for her mom, when she was the last one, and when she decided to give up hope for her mom. The story was of very high quality, just kind of sad. I think the end is very hopeful once you get over the initial sad parts.
I can see this story being used for a read aloud, but I don’t think I would be able to keep it together at the end. This story was so sad, but very good. I felt so bad for the girl when she was holding out hope for her mom, when she was the last one, and when she decided to give up hope for her mom. The story was of very high quality, just kind of sad. I think the end is very hopeful once you get over the initial sad parts.
February 24, 2013
This picture book is recommended for grades 3 and up, however it can definitely be used in older grades (5 and up) to explore larger social concepts of the time. This book tells the story of a girl who is put on a train with the expectations that her mother will be coming back for her and picking her up at one of the stops off of the train. Throughout the story, we see the intense emotions these orphans feel, with the main character longing for her mother, and the others longing to have a family. The illustrations are especially interesting, as some show specific orphans with faces blurred out, while the main character becomes the focus. I found the book to be well done and would be comfortable using it in middle school to explore social and political issues of the time as they relate to concepts we explore in class. I would definitely recommend this book as part of a classroom historical-fiction picture book collection.
January 26, 2017
Train to Somewhere by Eve Bunting was a moving historical fiction book. This orphan train traveled from New York to Somewhere, Iowa. There were two little girls who had developed a close relationship while living together in their orphanage and the elder of the two hoped she and her mother would be reunited on her journey. Their guardian, from the orphanage, cared for each of them deeply and wanted the best for each child. Her internal battle was evident throughout the story as different people "took" the children from her care. Prior to this book I knew little about Orphan Trains, and this book helped me to see changes in family dynamic, the way children are viewed and the way people look at adoption in general since the early 1900s.
The illustrations offered a perspective on life at the time. I liked that the images left out some detail in an effort to draw the reader into the picture by filling in detail with their imagination.
Historical Fiction
The illustrations offered a perspective on life at the time. I liked that the images left out some detail in an effort to draw the reader into the picture by filling in detail with their imagination.
Historical Fiction
November 28, 2016
This isn’t an ordinary train to somewhere. This is an Orphan Train headed to the town of Somewhere, Iowa. The train makes stops along the way as one after another the orphans are adopted by waiting crowds at each station. There is only one orphan girl left when the train makes its final stop. She is still holding onto the hope that her mother will come for her as it pulls into the station.
This historical picture book focuses on the mid 1850- late 1920’s when homeless children were sent by train from New York City to small towns in the Midwest in hopes to place them with families. The illustrations help transport the reader in time by showing the clothing style of the time period. The setting is described in the text and shown through the illustrations as the train travels across the states making its way to Somewhere, Iowa.
This historical picture book focuses on the mid 1850- late 1920’s when homeless children were sent by train from New York City to small towns in the Midwest in hopes to place them with families. The illustrations help transport the reader in time by showing the clothing style of the time period. The setting is described in the text and shown through the illustrations as the train travels across the states making its way to Somewhere, Iowa.
November 28, 2016
This is the story of a young girl named Maryann who is put on an orphan train headed west. She desperately hopes that her mother will be at one of the train’s stops waiting for her. As the train makes it’s stops, all of the other orphans are placed, and Maryann is the last child on the train.
Through the use of text and illustrations, the author is able to give us an idea of what it was like to be an orphan. Maryann believing that her mother was coming for her, and feeling as though no one wanted her, was a normal feeling for an older orphan who was not chosen until the last stop. Although the characters are fiction, the situations and feelings the orphans had are realistic. This book falls under the category of Historical Fiction, because it is based off of a time in the past, but the story itself is fiction.
Through the use of text and illustrations, the author is able to give us an idea of what it was like to be an orphan. Maryann believing that her mother was coming for her, and feeling as though no one wanted her, was a normal feeling for an older orphan who was not chosen until the last stop. Although the characters are fiction, the situations and feelings the orphans had are realistic. This book falls under the category of Historical Fiction, because it is based off of a time in the past, but the story itself is fiction.
November 30, 2016
This picture book is historical non-fiction. Although Marianne (the main character) may not be a real person; the experiences the orphans went through is accurate. This book gives insight to a different time and to situation that most children won’t have to face today. Marianne is traveling by train with Ms. Randolph along with 13 other children, in the hopes of being adopted. Marianne doesn’t think she is pretty enough to be adopted and she hangs on to the idea that her mother will be at each stop. When Marianne is the last child on the train it’s Ms. Randolph that brightens her up and Marianne is adopted at the last stop.
The artwork is beautiful. The colors are warm and rich. The style is a barely detailed watercolor art. The use of light is apparent, the pictures really add to the story. The folk art style is really fitting with the warm story.
The artwork is beautiful. The colors are warm and rich. The style is a barely detailed watercolor art. The use of light is apparent, the pictures really add to the story. The folk art style is really fitting with the warm story.
November 30, 2016
This story is about orphans during the 1920's. They are being sent from New York to small towns and farms in the Mid West. It show what it was like to be an orphan in the 1920's. Since there was not enough room in the orphanages they send them out to the Mid West where they can work or get adopted. At each platform they are either adopted or taken to work in the fields. At every stop they are put on display almost like a animal auction. At every platform more children are taken and either adopted to a home or taken for working in the field. The illustrations are watercolor like. It shows what it was like to be an orphan in the 1920's. It is the sad truth of what it was like in the 1920's.
November 30, 2016
This historical fiction takes the reader through the lens of Marianne, an orphan who is expecting to see her birth mom throughout a train ride. But this is no ordinary train, this train is the setting of the story as numerous children from orphanages from the East Coast to the West Coast. You get to experience the highs and lows of this journey together with Marianne as you witness her beginning to learn from each event in the story.
You’ll want to share this story with family and/or close friends because the illustrations compliment your imaginative thoughts on what life was like in the early 1900’s.
You’ll want to share this story with family and/or close friends because the illustrations compliment your imaginative thoughts on what life was like in the early 1900’s.
November 5, 2017
The water illustrations are beautiful and evoke emotion. The author does a great job stirring curiosity from the very first pages. The writing style allows readers to visualize the story very easily. It appears the author is very knowledgeable of the time period as the language used is unusual for current time; it sounds olden. A wonderful story. My favorite line, “Sometimes what you get turns out to be better than what you wanted in the first place.�
February 14, 2017
Train to Somewhere was a very good/emotional book. The fact that children were sent on trains across the US in hopes of getting adopted was just crazy to me. I can not imagine how Marianne, the main character, was feeling when she was the last one to get adopted. That feeling of being unwanted is something a child should never have to feel. (historical Fiction )
April 15, 2021
Eve Bunting does such a great job with juvenile historical fiction. This is a hauntingly beautiful tale of the Orphan Train And has a happyish ending for the main character.
2021: upgraded to 5 stars.
2021: upgraded to 5 stars.
December 23, 2015
This story almost made me cry. I was both sad and happy for Marianne.
July 3, 2017
Train to Somewhere, written by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Ronald Himler, is the story about the children that were put on orphan trains during the 1850’s through the 1920’s from eastern cities for new homes in the New West (Great Plains). Marianne has a dream of being reunited with her mother, she recalls her mother telling her that she was leaving but that they would be together again soon. As the train goes on, Marianne keeps her hopes up of being reunited with her and is happy that she is not chosen by adoptive parents. Zachery, a little boy from England is one of the first children to be adopted. Each time a child is adopted Miss Randolph, the children’s escort has each family sign agreement papers to guarantee the child’s safety, she is discernibly upset each time a child is taken but knows that there is no room for all the children in the orphanage. Marianne is the only child left on the train with Miss Randolph, all of the other 13 children on the train are taken. They go to the last stop in the town of Somewhere, Iowa. Marianne does not see her mother and the only prospective parents are an older couple who hold a locomotive that they hoped to give to a little boy. They talk to Marianne and decide it's a match
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The point of view in this story is first person narrative, the main character Marianne is hoping to reunite with her mother. The themes in this story could include the hope for a new beginning. Marianne does find acceptance from a couple and a new life. The pain of abandonment and the strength to move forward could be another theme. Adventure and acceptance of circumstance, the children had to put on their best clothes and smiles, not knowing where they would be and how they would be treated but still learning to think positively. These themes are seen through the main character and narrator Marianne, and her journey to find the mother who abandoned her and her search for acceptance and belonging,� Sometimes what you get turns out to be better than what you wanted in the first place.� The other main character is Miss Randolph, who obviously cares about each of the 14 children that were on this orphan train, and persists in providing comfort and support to Marianne. The watercolor paintings offer expressive portraits of the period as they transmit the plot's substantial emotion that is heard in the text throughout this sad and bittersweet experience.
The historical context in this story is about the plight of homeless children during the mid1850s to late1920s. The social/economic development of the Great Plains was a part of the history that lead to the solution for the overcrowded orphanages in Eastern cities, children were needed to help with the homesteads so there were more families willing to adopt older children. There are historical facts mentioned like the statistics for the highest number of orphan trains in the year 1877.
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The point of view in this story is first person narrative, the main character Marianne is hoping to reunite with her mother. The themes in this story could include the hope for a new beginning. Marianne does find acceptance from a couple and a new life. The pain of abandonment and the strength to move forward could be another theme. Adventure and acceptance of circumstance, the children had to put on their best clothes and smiles, not knowing where they would be and how they would be treated but still learning to think positively. These themes are seen through the main character and narrator Marianne, and her journey to find the mother who abandoned her and her search for acceptance and belonging,� Sometimes what you get turns out to be better than what you wanted in the first place.� The other main character is Miss Randolph, who obviously cares about each of the 14 children that were on this orphan train, and persists in providing comfort and support to Marianne. The watercolor paintings offer expressive portraits of the period as they transmit the plot's substantial emotion that is heard in the text throughout this sad and bittersweet experience.
The historical context in this story is about the plight of homeless children during the mid1850s to late1920s. The social/economic development of the Great Plains was a part of the history that lead to the solution for the overcrowded orphanages in Eastern cities, children were needed to help with the homesteads so there were more families willing to adopt older children. There are historical facts mentioned like the statistics for the highest number of orphan trains in the year 1877.
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