Imagine this, a kid has lost both parents and is sent on a train, to be shipped off to a new family. The kid is sent to a farm where he gets harshly beaten and is starving to death. This kid is not the only one suffering, during 1854 to 1929, kids faced this every day. These events are hard to look back on, but Orphan Train explains them in a way that is enjoyable. My book is an excellent example of historical fiction. The three reasons why are it is set during the time of the Orphan train, the time of discrimination, and the time of the Great Depression.
Orphan Train was set back in 1854 to 1929, the time of the Orphan Train. A time when children faced the struggles of being abandoned or homeless. Kids would ride on a train called the Orphan Train, to be brought to be sold into a new family. They would be brought there from the Eastern, United States to the Midwest, just like Vivian was brought to Minnesota. Vivian was sent to many homes, after being kicked out of the one before. She was abused, not treated well, and was starved. The author showed the struggles kids face that were on the Orphan Train, through the struggles that Vivian faced. This book allows the readers to visualize the events, and not just tell them what happened. The Orphan Train was a real event and affected people’s lives, just like it did for Vivian. “There are about ten adults milling around, and a half-dozen train riders left-me, a few sickly looking teenage boys, and some homely children-undernourished, walleyed, beetle browed. It’s obvious why we weren’t chosen” (Kline 68). This book allows the readers to understand their past history. It incorporates key events in history, but also it allows for a great fictional story.
Orphan Train was also set back in time to when Irish and Catholic people faced discrimination. In the story, people assumed that nobody would want Vivian due to her being an Irish, redhead. “She’s an Irish girl, Viola, so I suspect she’s a Catholic” (Kline 188). Everywhere she went someone commented on her hair and assumed she was Irish. This book did a great job of explaining the way Irish or Catholic people were treated, but in a way everyone could understand. Nowadays, people don’t face as much discrimination, due to being Irish. Also, she was discriminated against for being a Catholic. Each house she stayed at, someone commented on her necklace, asking her to take it off. During the times of the Orphan Train, most of the children are Irish, Catholic immigrants. This book does a great job of explaining the struggles of different people.
Lastly, Orphan Train was set during the Great Depression, in 1929. In the story, a stock market crashed, leaving everyone to salvage what they have. “The stock market crashed today. It’s in free fall. And many lives are…” (Kline 105). In real life, what caused the Great Depression was the stock market crashing. Vivian, throughout the many houses she stayed at, faced the struggle of not having enough. She was left weak, hungry, and struggling to keep working. This event not only affected these fictional characters, but all people during this time. Orphan Train helped to show the emotions and struggles everyone faced during the Great Depression. It is hard for people to read about the Great Depression and enjoy it. This book allows the readers to feel as though they are right there with the people, facing the day to day hardships.
The three events that people faced in the book, are extremely hard to look back on, but this book allows us to enjoy it and be informed at the same time. Orphan Train is not only a fictional story, but it is also a great example of historical fiction. The three reasons why are the story took place during 1854 to 1929, during the times of discrimination, and during the times of the Great Depression. This story captures three of the hardest times people faced in history. The kids were left homeless, and starving to death on the streets. People getting hated on due to them being Irish or Catholic. Lastly, people were left to venture for themselves and gather every last bit to survive. Throughout this story, we could step into their shoes and go through what they had to deal with everyday. Orphan Train allows us to understand a time in our history, but also entertain at the same time. This is a sign of a beautifully written story.
