Orphan Train Girl
By: Christina Baker Kline
Molly Ayer has been in foster care since she was eight years old. Most of the time, Molly knows it’s her attitude that’s the problem, but after being shipped from one family to another, she’s had her fair share of adults treating her like an inconvenience. So when Molly’s forced to help a wealthy elderly woman clean out her attic for community service, Molly is wary.
But from the moment they meet, Molly realizes that Vivian isn’t like any of the adults she’s encountered before. Vivian asks Molly questions about her life and actually listens to the answers.
Soon Molly sees they have more in common than she thought. Vivian was an orphan, too—an Irish immigrant to New York City who was put on a so-called “orphan train” to the Midwest with hundreds of other children—and she can understand, better than anyone else, the emotional binds that have been making Molly’s life so hard.
Together, they not only clear boxes of past mementos from Vivian’s attic, but forge a path of friendship, forgiveness, and new beginnings.
By: Christina Baker Kline
Molly Ayer has been in foster care since she was eight years old. Most of the time, Molly knows it’s her attitude that’s the problem, but after being shipped from one family to another, she’s had her fair share of adults treating her like an inconvenience. So when Molly’s forced to help a wealthy elderly woman clean out her attic for community service, Molly is wary.
But from the moment they meet, Molly realizes that Vivian isn’t like any of the adults she’s encountered before. Vivian asks Molly questions about her life and actually listens to the answers.
Soon Molly sees they have more in common than she thought. Vivian was an orphan, too—an Irish immigrant to New York City who was put on a so-called “orphan train” to the Midwest with hundreds of other children—and she can understand, better than anyone else, the emotional binds that have been making Molly’s life so hard.
Together, they not only clear boxes of past mementos from Vivian’s attic, but forge a path of friendship, forgiveness, and new beginnings.
1. The book switches between the narratives of Vivian and Molly, but leaves out large chunks of many other characters and their history. Pick one of the characters we are missing information about – Dutchy, Vivian’s sister Maisie, the baby Carmine, or Vivian’s daughter Sarah – and fill in their own story, writing in either the first or third person.
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2. Choose one narrative from a real orphan train rider to read and compare to the story of Vivian. How do the stories compare and contrast? What common thread do they have? http://orphantraindepot.org/orphan-train-rider-stories/
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3. Native American Symbolism
Molly's character is interested in symbolism, and particularly the symbolism represented by her jewelry cards and tattoo. Develop a presentation that explores animal symbolism from a Native American standpoint. |