By By Dane Roberts Wans On Bookreview
The time period between 1854 and 1929 saw as many as 250,000 children from New York and other Eastern cities sent by trains to towns in midwestern and western states. They were called the orphan trains. Families interested in the orphans would show up and view the orphans on display in local train stations and they were placed often with little or no investigation or oversight.
It is the time period between 1886 to 1903 that the action in this book takes place. Author Kim Vogel Sawyer has concentrated on a family of three Irish children orphaned by a fire in their New York tenement when their parents were killed and they were rescued by the New York Children’s Society, and placed on an orphan train headed to Missouri.
They are separated at the platform in Missouri. Maelle, the oldest, age 8, made a promise to her father that she would take care of the little ones. Also she was handed three family heirlooms by her father: the family Bible, the family picture, and the love letters. She is able to hand the family Bible to Molly, the 1 year old and the family that took her. Maelle gets taken by a photographer who needs an apprentice. The brother is taken by another couple. The brother is given the family picture to hold on to. Maelle keeps the letters. She hopes to be able to relocate them by the items given out.
Often the orphan’s were not treated well. They were used as cheap labor. Some became foster children. Some were used as indentured servants or were abused. Most ended up as homeless street kids.
The story is told from three view points, one for each child. After the placement of all three the story shifts from 1886 to 1902. Their names have been changed. Molly becomes Isabelle. Maelle becomes Mike.
Mattie becomes Matthew. The reader is able to follow because each time the point of view shifts in the beginning Sawyer notes who is who with the Irish name.
The main plot has to do with misuse of children and the need for child labor laws. The sub plot is the hunt for what is lost and reunited.
In this book, Sawyer follows one street kid named Petey, a newsboy, who becomes the link between all three of the main characters. In one way or another all three interface with him. Mike takes his picture as an example of the ill treatment and misuse of the immigrant children in the labor force. Matthew rescues Petey from the ill treatment of his sponsor and takes him under his wing. Isabel houses Petey and a group of street children.
There is tension as each main character comes close to discovering each other but doesn’t. Matthew knows Isabelle and he introduces her to the lawyer who will help pass legislation which will lead to child labor laws.
Matthew also knows Petey. Mike/Maelle, has taken Petey’s picture and also from time to time runs into Isabelle. Yet they don’t connect. It is not until the family heirlooms are revealed that Maelle is able to find that which was lost. It is estimated that one million Americans are descendants of the 150,000 children who were sent on the orphan trains. This book helps us to remember that time in history.
Books are important. They help us remember things, even fiction. I will keep on writing the reviews and you keep on corresponding at
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 23, 2008. Read the original PDF.