Beyond the Orphan Train:
A True Adventure
by Donna Nordmark Aviles
A True Adventure
by Donna Nordmark Aviles
BEYOND THE ORPHAN TRAIN by Donna Nordmark Aviles
Caetgory: Historical
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 12/1/04
Publisher: Wasteland Press
Reviewed by: Allison Fraclose
Rating: 4 Stars
The Orphan Trains that brought thousands of young children from the east side of the United States to live with farming
families in the growing west split many families in the 1800-1900s. One such set of siblings, Oliver and Edward
Nordmark, rode the train to Kansas in 1906. Separated from his younger brother for several years, the now 15-year-old
Oliver has left his adoptive family to make his way in the world and locate the lost Edward.
Riding the rails, he finds himself near the Colorado-Kansas border, and lands steady ranch work with three different
brothers. Oliver learns how to harvest and even build houses made from sod before securing enough money to begin his
search. Will he and Edward ever be together again, as he promised?
This inspiring story is made all the more incredible by the fact that it is based on the real life events of the author’s
grandfather. Photos of Oliver and the places he lived bring the tale to life in ways that will surely pique the interest of any
who never thought history could be interesting.
Although the introduction claims that it is not necessary to have read the first volume (FLY LITTLE BIRD, FLY!) to
enjoy this story, I wish that I had read it, since this book picks up where the last one left off. I hope to review FLY
LITTLE BIRD, FLY! sometime in the near future.
Caetgory: Historical
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 12/1/04
Publisher: Wasteland Press
Reviewed by: Allison Fraclose
Rating: 4 Stars
The Orphan Trains that brought thousands of young children from the east side of the United States to live with farming
families in the growing west split many families in the 1800-1900s. One such set of siblings, Oliver and Edward
Nordmark, rode the train to Kansas in 1906. Separated from his younger brother for several years, the now 15-year-old
Oliver has left his adoptive family to make his way in the world and locate the lost Edward.
Riding the rails, he finds himself near the Colorado-Kansas border, and lands steady ranch work with three different
brothers. Oliver learns how to harvest and even build houses made from sod before securing enough money to begin his
search. Will he and Edward ever be together again, as he promised?
This inspiring story is made all the more incredible by the fact that it is based on the real life events of the author’s
grandfather. Photos of Oliver and the places he lived bring the tale to life in ways that will surely pique the interest of any
who never thought history could be interesting.
Although the introduction claims that it is not necessary to have read the first volume (FLY LITTLE BIRD, FLY!) to
enjoy this story, I wish that I had read it, since this book picks up where the last one left off. I hope to review FLY
LITTLE BIRD, FLY! sometime in the near future.