Christina Baker Kline's Orphan Train

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline is a historical fiction novel that compares the lives of two orphans, Molly and Vivian. Molly is a teenager who becomes an orphan after her father dies since her mother is not allowed to take care of her because her mother is addicted to drugs. Molly has moved to several different homes with many different families and currently lives with foster parents. Vivian, on the other hand, is a 91 year old woman who immigrates from Ireland in the 1930’s after her family dies in a large fire. She has migrated to a few homes and experiences horrible conditions such as being forced to work tirelessly and living in filth. Eventually Vivian is transferred to her third foster parents where she is finally treated like a daughter. Molly and Vivian meet each other when Molly has to do her community service hours by cleaning Vivian’s attic. The best gift that Vivian gives to Molly is a loving family and a suitable place to live. This home is the first where Molly is accepted. Moreover, Vivian is

All of her previous foster parents have either given her away because they did not like her, or she has been taken away from abusive foster parents. Molly remembers, “...there is [not] much to stress over—a few drunk drivers, the occasional black eye, petty thefts, accidents.”(3). Molly explains how she is used to not having moral foster parents because her word choice sounds like she thinks abuse and careless parents are not such a horrible threat even though it really affects her lifestyle. After being exposed to such a life, Molly has nearly gone to juvie for theft, and she has taken drugs. Molly’s previous parents do not take care of her, and this is shown when she almost goes to juvie for stealing a book. Molly stays out of a life of crime with her new foster parents because they care about her actions since they think of Molly as their own