A Place to Belong

Orphan Train Adventures #4

by Joan Lowery Nixon

Danny and his younger sister, Peg, are placed in St. Joseph, Missouri, with kind Alfrid and Olga Swenson. Danny is thrilled to have a "real" father again, but when Olga suddenly dies, he is devastated—until he thinks of an ingenious plan to find Alfrid a new wife.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Historical, Childrens, Middle Grade, Family

162 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Author of more than one hundred books, Joan Lowery Nixon is the only writer to have won four Edgar Allan Poe Awards for Juvenile Mysteries (and been nominated several other times) from the Mystery Writers of America. Creating contemporary teenage characters who have both a personal problem and a mystery to solve, Nixon captured the attention of legions of teenage readers since the publication of her first YA novel more than twenty years ago. In addition to mystery/suspense novels, she wrote nonfiction and fiction for children and middle graders, as well as several short stories. Nixon was the first person to write novels for teens about the orphan trains of the nineteenth century. She followed those with historical novels about Ellis Island and, more recently for younger readers, Colonial Williamsburg. Joan Lowery Nixon died on June 28, 2003—a great loss for all of us.

Reviews

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite thus far in the Orphan Train series. I loved Danny and Peg's story. Although, this was more about Danny than Peg.

Danny and Peg were taken in by Alfrid and Olga. I just loved Danny's little bit ornery streak, Alfrid's dependability, and Olga's kindness.

Honestly, I didn't care for Maw (Danny and Peg's real mom). I was slightly disappointed in the way the story ended up, but I saw it coming. Even with the disappointment, I loved watching Danny's growth and his father/son relationship develop with Alfrid.

Very clean, and an easy read.

[Elsa K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one focuses on Danny and Peg. I found myself excited to hear about Ma again, but I got a little annoyed with her. I think I was on Danny's side. :) I love these characters and hearing a little about what life was like then.

[Tracy · Rating 1 out of 5]

In A Place to Belong, the next story in the Orphan Train saga, Danny Kelly wishes his family were back together. Danny’s a mix of Meg and Mike to some degree but lacks the rich characterization of his siblings in the previous three books. In his story, his younger sister Peg and he are adopted by Alfrid and Olga Swenson , not far from St. Joseph. Like in A Family Apart, there is a lot of abolitionist and anti-abolitionist talk as Abraham Lincoln is elected president. It’s been awhile since I’ve read about the Civil War, but they way the characters talk about slavery and the election of 1860 comes across very anachronistically. There’s no talk of state’s rights, or republicanism, or even the slaves themselves, its just pro slavery or anti-slavery and everyone falls too neatly into either camp (oh, and there is also the hilarious scene when Danny meets John Wilkes Booth and just knows he’s evil). I know it’s a children’s book but still both Mike’s and Meg’s books managed to make the world at least a little bit gray.

Olga dies with little fanfare and in then pages or less Alfrid is convinced by his ten year old foster son to marry Mrs. Kelly. Mrs. Kelly agrees and comes to St. Joseph to be with her children. From here the plot becomes so melodramatic (kidnapping, fire, love triangle) that I had to skim through until the end. Upon rereading this I remembered why I lost interest in the series, sans A Dangerous Promise. Basically, Mrs. Kelly and Alfrid decide not to get married and she goes on to marry the town blacksmith. Peg goes to live with them and Danny stays with Alfrid for I suppose valid reasons (didn’t want to lose another father) but still bugs me ten yeas after I first read this book. Mrs. Kelly and her new husband cannot financially support the other four children, Frances Mary, Megan, Mike, and Petey, plus they don’t want to leave their new foster families anyway so it all works out- I guess. Even at twelve I didn’t enjoy the plot nor did I think it was historically realistic or interesting. Young adults readers it is okay to skip this one.

[McKaela Magaldi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book, "A Place to Belong" is realistic fiction written by Joan Lowery Nixon. It is book 4 out of 7. In the book, "A Place to Belong", Danny and his younger sister Peg have a new home. Danny is not fond of the idea of being far from his family, he just wants things to be the same again. When Peg starts calling their new mother; mamma, Danny wants to think of a plan to be back together with his family again. About a month later, after Danny got used to his new parents, his new mom dies. Danny realizes that he loves his new home, and doesn't want to lose his new father. His father must marry soon, and he is told he might have to marry his widow neighbor, witch bosses Danny around a lot. Then to make things even worse, Danny bumps into a scam doctor from New York that lies about his fake products to earn lots of money. When Danny does something to show the people of his new town that the doctor is a fraud, he made the doctor very mad, and the doctor said he be back and give what he deserved. Now Danny has to watch his back and think of a plan to help his father.
If you enjoyed any of the books from the series; book 1, book 2, book 3. ( I recommend reading from book 1-7, it would make more sense in order.) I liked this book a lot!

[Ruthe Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danny and his sister Peg are sent out west on an orphan train, and are adopted together by a dear couple who take them to their farm in St. Joseph, MO. Tragedy strikes a few months later, which disrupts the home. Danny thinks he has a plan to make everything alright again. Will his plan work? I find “The Orphan Train Adventures” to be very well written and very instructive in historical value, as well as teaching other qualities and values that are just as necessary today as they were in the 1860’s.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline in this one went off the rails a bit, and the end seemed a little strange to me. I still plan to finish the rest of the series, and it's surprising me how little I remember about what actually happens in the books!

[BookishDitz123 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this so much as a kid. The lessons in being good in the face of hardship and adversity. It really stayed with me. I read this book so many times when I was young the cover has creases. And I still read it when I need comfort and strength

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

On par with the previous books in the series.

[Christin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danny and Peg, the last of the Kellys, are adopted by a kind couple. When their new mother dies, Danny hatches a plan to get his family back together that he feels can't fail!

[Kyla Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this series as a kid, and still remember the impact it had on me. A fun re-read and walk down memory lane.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one made us happy. :)

[Jenny Clifford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got the four first books in this series in a children's book club when I was young, and I remember loving them. I did not know that there are more books in the series until a couple of weeks ago (it's been over 30 years since I first read them), and I am now thinking that I need to get those books too and read them as an adult.
These books are very good. The story about sending poor kids out west in America to get a better life is heartbreaking, and I loved to see what became of all the siblings.

[Mercurialgem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, me and this book go allll the way back to junior high school. I do remember reading this in the 7th grade and loving these books. I just looked it up and there are seven books to The Orphan Train Adventures. I think I only read two or three so I definitely want to read this series again but this time in order and all of them. I remember one of the stories made me cry. These books have always lingered in the back of my mind so I will make it a goal to get to them in 2015. =)

[Rshelite · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not sure but I think this is the last of the orphan train adventures. I liked it the best because the adopted mother dies and the kids convince their adopted father to bring her to where they live and marry her. Well it doesn't quite work out that way, but it is good.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, it gave me more info about the characters and it gives understanding to history at the time.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

amazing!!!!!!!
im not reading it but my teacher is doing it for read aloud
but its super sad

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

These were my absolute favorites as a teen, I read them several times over!

[Shauntel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book as much as some of the other books in the series.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tualatin County Library

[Jacque · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely the hardest orphan train book to read. We didn't enjoy it as much as the other books in the series. We will take a break before reading the final book.

[Kate Matson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was extremely good and I couldn't put it down. I had to know what happened next.

[Xenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this family and this series. I love being able to follow them all and to see what happens to each.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one just went too soap-opera-ish for me.

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely one of my favorites.
It is so easy to get sucked into these kid's story's. These books are such a light, easy, enjoyable read!

[Cws]

JAR5-Nix

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ack! Why aren't there any more books?

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story.