In 1881, 12-year-old Rodzina Clara Jadwiga Anastazya Brodski wishes she didn’t have to board the orphan train in Chicago. But she has no home...
read full description
reviews
Jul 24, 2009
Talia
rated it: 
Rodzina is a 12 year old orphan living in 1881 Chicago when she is forced to board an Orphan Train headed west. As one of the oldest girls on the train, she becomes like a big sister to the younger ones: Joe and Sammy (“Joe ain’t my brother!”), whiny green-eyed Gertie, and the loveably gullible Lacey. Without a home or parents, this is all Rodzina has, and she wonders where fate will place her.
I really enjoyed this story, and it’s a good historical fiction pick that will evoke a lot More...
I really enjoyed this story, and it’s a good historical fiction pick that will evoke a lot More...
Jun 15, 2009
Jan
rated it: 
How did I not know the history of the children's orphan trains in the United States? I found myself fascinated all the way through, not just with the events of this journey, but also with the delightful characters.
Rodzina Brodski, a 12-year-old Polish orphan girl from Chicago, and two dozen other children were put on an orphan train headed west in the hope that they could be adopted by good families. Not every family wants a child to love and cuddle, however. In the early 1880s, w More...
Rodzina Brodski, a 12-year-old Polish orphan girl from Chicago, and two dozen other children were put on an orphan train headed west in the hope that they could be adopted by good families. Not every family wants a child to love and cuddle, however. In the early 1880s, w More...
Jan 18, 2011
Lavender911
rated it:
Rodzina is a twelve year old Polish American girl that was boarded onto an orphan train in Chicago when her parents died and not even the orphanage wanted her. She has fears about traveling to the West and a life of unpaid slavery. On the train, she meets Lacey, a "slow" sweet girl who wants to be Rodzina. She also meets Miss. Doctor a female doctor who is very strict. With the other orphans and Miss. Doctor, she travels to the west and changes her heart.
When I first opened More...
When I first opened More...
Jun 30, 2011
Candi
rated it: 
This story was good and enjoyable but at the same time there wasn't much to it. I think the author tried to be light and fluffy on a heavy subject and it ends up diluting the story a little. It still is an easy read. I also think it's a bit insightful because all of us really just want to be accepted and loved.
Before this book I had no idea there even were orphan trains. It was eye opening. This story does end happy but by the sounds of it there were many true stories that did not en More...
Before this book I had no idea there even were orphan trains. It was eye opening. This story does end happy but by the sounds of it there were many true stories that did not en More...
Nov 13, 2010
Jenny
rated it:
This is a historical fiction story of a Polish girl, Rodzina, who is part of the Orphan Train heading west to be adopted. The two people in charge of these orphans, Miss Doctor and Mr. Spracht (spelling? I listened to this, not read it), often leave Rodzina in charge of the older orphans. Rodzina feels that they are both uncaring and fears she is being taken to be sold as a slave. She desperately wants someone to love her and want her...she wants a family. Yet it seems that no one decent wi
More...
Jun 11, 2009
Marcia
rated it:
The book Rodzina tells the coming-of-age story of a strong female character and her resilience to never give up her search for a family. The story shows Rodzina’s strong will, hope, and personal integrity. Rodzina gave fate a fighting chance. Rodzina is an excellent historical fiction book for upper elementary students. It tells a good story and gives the image of the hardship, loneliness, fear, and struggles of these orphaned children. The author’s note provides additional information on the o
More...
Dec 30, 2010
Sara
rated it:
Doesn't this book make you feel lucky and grateful? Chances are... we haven't had it nearly as rough as most of this book's characters. I admire how the author allows us to admire her characters' strength and it in turn is a reminder to me to be thankful for the era in which I live. Thank goodness that we have regulations over orphanages. Thank goodness we have regulation on what is considered child abuse/neglect. While the setting is tough, the writing and story-telling has plenty of perks s
More...
Aug 27, 2009
Anika
rated it:
It will sound corny, but I have to say again how much I love Karen Cushman. She keeps getting better with every book I read and Rodzina is no exception. From the first paragraph I was hooked, and all I can say is wow. I literally could not put the book down and finished it in four hours. The characters are so interesting and they build as the story continues, taking on new layers with each stop of the train. Though the ending is a bit predictable, it really doesn't become so until the last few c
More...
Oct 17, 2010
Kermit's BFF
rated it:
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 More...
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 More...
Nov 02, 2010
Sandy
rated it:
This book is the story of a 12 year old Polish girl who has lost her family who finds herself aboard the orphantrain in 1881, leaving Chicago and heading west. Supposedly the orphans will be adopted into loving families, but Rodzina is doubtful. Despite the many "failures" of the orphan train, the book has humor and shows Rodzina's determination to see herself "well-settled". There are many interesting characters in the book. In addition, one gains a feel for what it might ha
More...
Sep 11, 2009
Magda
rated it:
Coming from Karen Cushman, I thought it would be better. It's a good book about the orphan train, and I was impressed at the way language was used to convey who the character was, internally, but ... it seemed to lack what I so much enjoyed in Catherine Called Birdy and The Midwife's Apprentice. Maybe I just need to find more children's historical fiction from the medieval period.
More...
Jun 18, 2008
Jackie
rated it:
It is 1881 and Rodzina,12,is an orphan on the streets of Chicago. She is herded into an orphanage for a few days before she will be on the Orphan Train heading west to California. She lost her father to an accident, her mother to the 'fever' and her brothers to a fire. She is alone, scared and not as grown up as she dares to be. The train she is on is filled with 20 orphans all hoping to be placed in a loving home, all the while, they fear it could be a home of slavery, poverty or abuse. Rodzin
More...
Jul 02, 2008
Bethany
rated it:
This book was all right. It was a fast read, obviously, being juvenile, but I wasn't overly attracted to the characters or the situation. Rodzina is a 12 year old girl who reluctantly boards an orphan train heading west, believing firmly that she would be handed over to someone who would want her for a slave. Rodzina is twice selected by a family at the stops the train makes along the way, and both times, it turns out that she was pretty much right in assuming that these people would want som
More...
Apr 19, 2010
Megan
rated it:
This is another book my sister-in-law's class is reading this year (she is a 5th grade teacher), and she subsequently recommended to me. I was very surprised to learn about the existence of orphan trains, which brought children from over-crowded eastern cities out west to be placed in families. It also serves as a great introduction to America in the late 1800's and talks a bit about immigration, factory work, gender and racial issues, as well as the day-to-day hardships that many families face
More...
Feb 19, 2009
Agnes
rated it:
(US 1881) Rodzina and a group of Chicago orphans travel by train assisted by Miss Doctor, who helps them find hospitable homes. Rodzina bonds with the orphans especially with Lacy who tells prospective parents that she's "slow." Rodzina puts the orphans first and takes great care of them but also longs for a good home for herself. This is a strong first person narrative and a good historical depiction of a journey west with great hopes for the future.
Nov 02, 2010
Janette
rated it:
I think I like Karen Cushman's books because I don't have to worry about any shocking content coming out of the CD player while my children are listening to them. (I know, what a concept--children's books that are actually appropriate for children to listen to.)
I also thought the whole orphan train issue was really interesting from a historic perspective. It makes you wonder how many of these children were able to go on and live happy lives.
I also thought the whole orphan train issue was really interesting from a historic perspective. It makes you wonder how many of these children were able to go on and live happy lives.
Feb 03, 2011
Dotty
rated it:
Only 12 years old but looks almost big enough to be an adult, Rodzina is an orphan. She misses her parents and desperately wants somewhere to belong. She’s been put on an Orphan Train headed west and fears she will be sold as a slave. Due to her size she is often put in charge of the younger orphans, but she really wants someone to be in charge of her. Cross country the trains carry her and the others looking for homes and families.
Jan 11, 2012
Annette
rated it:
What I like about Karen Cushman: Every book she writes has a female heroine who has been given a set of problems to overcome. They always triumph in the end, but they aren't rescued by any prince or knight in shining armor. They learn to work through their problems through hard work and perseverance. The heroine is always feisty and has a lot of spunk which is what makes her keep going when things get rough and what she really want's to do is lay down and die.
Also, you can tell th More...
Also, you can tell th More...
Jun 23, 2011
Stacy
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Aug 14, 2010
Phair
rated it:
Quick read about an interesting topic: the orphan trains of the 1880s. Nice mix of interesting characters and a story that moved along at a good clip. Ending was OK but not clear-cut...almost the potential for a sequel. Not Cushman's best but I liked it. Very informative author's note with resources on the orphan trains and child relocation programs.
Mar 20, 2011
Anne-Marie
rated it:
This book was pretty good... it wasn't terrific, but still, it was fun to read. It's about a girl whose an orphan and her long trip on an orphan train. The weirdest part is when you find out that one of the "boy" passengers is actually a girl. You'd think that it would be too hard to hide that fact for three months!
Nov 18, 2010
Melissa
rated it:
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.
Apr 11, 2010
Whitney
rated it:
This provides an interesting book about the orphan trains because it does not glorify anything but rather talks about the emotions that the children encounter. The plot is very basic and predictable but this book isn't really about the plot, it's about the historical details and the way that the children react to their situation.
Dec 22, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
The orphan girl Rodzina is forced to travel west by train to be adopted by a family. I really like the author and so I was expecting to like this book, which I did. It was interesting and surprising. You end up falling in love with the characters.
Mar 12, 2011
Rebecca
rated it:
One of the most touching books that I have read on the orphan trains. Karen Cushman really handles some of the real horrifying problems that orphans faced during the late 1800s in a way that children can understand without making it too traumatic.
Dec 01, 2008
Jennifer
rated it: 
Story of a Polish girl who immigrated to Chicago with her family. A series of misfortunes leaves her an orphan and forced west on the orphan train. Interesting read about a child's perspective on the unknown west and on the orphan train.
Dec 02, 2010
Judie
rated it:
This is about Rodzina, who finds herself an orphan and an unwilling participant in an orphan train. It is an interesting portrayal of a real event. It also has interesting glimpses into her Polish heritage.
Feb 03, 2010
Patricia
rated it:
characterizations: 5 stars
story line: 4.5 stars -- took me a little while to really get "into it"...Also, the ending was predictable, but it was the ending I wanted.
research: 5 stars
narration: 5 stars
writing style: 5 stars -- impeccable, as usual
highly recommended
story line: 4.5 stars -- took me a little while to really get "into it"...Also, the ending was predictable, but it was the ending I wanted.
research: 5 stars
narration: 5 stars
writing style: 5 stars -- impeccable, as usual
highly recommended
Apr 21, 2009
Shauna
rated it:
I've always wanted to read more about the orphan trains that headed west. Rodzina means family in Polish, and the main character is a girl named Rodzina who is looking for a new family after she lost hers in Chicago.
Nov 28, 2008
Korrin
rated it:
Wonderful story about an orphan who is searching for the perfect family to live with, but it's harder than it seems. Find out if she makes it through this rough journey.
