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lillygabriella's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
cahistorygeek's review against another edition
4.0
I love Karen Cushman- her books are so funny and bring up some great historical issues. She writes it from the point of view of Rodzina, an orphaned polish immigrant girl. Her main characters always leave me laughing out loud and the history always leaves me wanting to learn more. I can't wait to read some of her others.
misajane79's review against another edition
4.0
Really charming book about a girl heading west on the oprhan trains. Plenty of fun characters, and Rodzina herself is a gem. I love that she uses the word "radishes" as a fake curse word. Great historical details that didn't feel forced.
Of course, everyone ends up all right in the end, but I think I'm okay with that.
Of course, everyone ends up all right in the end, but I think I'm okay with that.
compass_rose's review against another edition
4.0
Another great read by Cushman. Sad, but hopeful in the end.
jennybeastie's review against another edition
5.0
I'm a sucker for orphan train stories, and boy, is this a great one. Rodzina is such a forthright, grumpy, kindly character. It's great to get to know her and cheer her on.
mrsjhasbooks's review against another edition
3.0
My 8 year old was given this book by my grandmother, who is fascinated by this historical er and orphan trains in general. My 8yo insisted I read this book, and so I obliged. Rodzina is a head strong 12 year old who is charged with looking after other children on the orphan train, all while mourning the deaths of her parents and struggling to avoid being adopted by people who want to enslave or marry her. Her resilience and willingness to fight are a great message to young readers, but I’d be curious about author Cushman’s research and own voices insofar as Rodzina’s Polish heritage are concerned.
holtfan's review against another edition
4.0
I KNEW I had read this book! KNEW KNEW KNEW IT!!! All it took was finding the right cover *feels triumphant*
Its been a while since I read this book. Several years in fact! Yet I can never forget it. Never forget the main character and the things she went through on the orphan train. I could't put it down. I rooted for her, loved the ending, and never forgot it. Ironically, it was one of the last books I read in the kid section before moving up to teens, which explains why I never found it again. Cushman is such an amazing author, every single one of her books leaves a lasting impression.
Its been a while since I read this book. Several years in fact! Yet I can never forget it. Never forget the main character and the things she went through on the orphan train. I could't put it down. I rooted for her, loved the ending, and never forgot it. Ironically, it was one of the last books I read in the kid section before moving up to teens, which explains why I never found it again. Cushman is such an amazing author, every single one of her books leaves a lasting impression.
mimima's review against another edition
3.0
Like a dear friend, I felt that this was not up to the usual caliber of Karen Cushman books. It was an interesting story about the Orphan Trains, the chaperone, and an older, plain Polish girl on the train. It was never fantastic, though.