Circle of Love

Orphan Train Adventures #7

by Joan Lowery Nixon

The Civil War has officially ended, and Frances Mary Kelly's true love, Johnny, is back from the war. But to Frances's dismay, Johnny is hesitant to marry her. Attempting to ease her aching heart, Frances accepts an offer to go to New York City and escort a group of orphans out West to new homes. Along the way she must deal with a flood of painful memories and a threatening stranger. Will Frances be able to complete her mission...and return home to find out what her future will be?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult, Fiction, Middle Grade, Historical, Civil War

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

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 3 out of 5]

This was probably my least favorite in the series.

The story is sweet, but it was just sooooo predictable.

Still, this was a nice way to wrap up the series. I guess I just wish it had been a tad less cheesy.

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A disappointing end to the orphan train series. It's now 1866 and Frances Mary concludes the story which began in 1860. Frances is now 19 years old and hoping to marry Johnny a boy she grew up with. However, he is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after spending years in a Confederate prison during the Civil War. She wants him to forget his unhappy past and look to a future with her. Unfortunately, Johnny wants to hold off on marriage until he is well both mentally and physically. Therefore in anger, Frances decides to travel to New York City and help with the Orphan Train, coming full circle from the first book, A Family Apart.

What was disappointing is that non of the Kelly children make an appearance and the plot follows the same path as previous books. We learn that Mike went out west at 17. But did he reenlist in the war as he promised? Did he find gold or excitement in California? Megan, 18 is smitten with a boy in her hometown. Did she become a teacher like Frances? Was she ever reunited with her family? Little is said about poor Petey now 12. Frances took great pains to be placed with him in the first book, but throughout the series he is never seen nor discussed by the family. Why then did Nixon write him in? Peg, 14, is still one-dimensional and little is mentioned about the aftermath of Danny's death and its effect on her.

What we do get is a flat story about a new set of children sent out west and bank robber thrown in. At 19 Frances Mary is written exactly how she was at 13. She annoyingly refuses to look at any of the negative aspects of life yet manages to both get her boyfriend back and turn a member of Jesse James' gang to the "good side". On the plus side, the children in Frances' care are likable and sets up for Nixon's later spin off series on them. In the end Frances and Johnny marry and decide to adopt Eddie, an orphan that no one else wanted.

[Kate Matson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:
The Civil War has officially ended and Frances Mary Kelly's true love, Johnny, is back from the war. But to Frances's dismay, Johnny is hesitant to marry her. Attempting to ease her aching heart, Frances accepts an offer to go to New York City and escort a group of orphans out West to new homes. Along the way, she must deal with a flood of painful memories and a threatening stranger. Will Frances be able to complete her mission... and return home to find out what her future will be?
Plot:
I absolutely adored this plot! I couldn't turn the page fast enough, and I had to know what happened. It was adventurous, exciting, and every other happy feel out there. It was captivating and intriguing all the way through.
Writing:
Joan Lowery Nixon has to be one of my favorite authors of all time. I was drawn In by her writing and everything that she said.
Characters:
The characters were delightful and amazing. I wish I could read more and more about Frances Mary Kelly and Johnny. Wow, all the feels for these characters.
Overall:
Love, love, LOVE!!! I couldn't get enough of this story, and I wish it was 500 pages longer! I need another one! This book reminded me how much I love historical fiction.
Recommendations:
Everyone!!! Everyone needs to read this series. I think it's perfect for 5th+. Any age above 5th grade can immensely enjoy this book.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frances Mary Kelly teaches school in Kansas. It is summer vacation and she is asked to accompany an orphan boy to New York City. The boy's foster family did not work out so he is being sent back to orphan train headquarters; Frances was on an orphan train herself six years ago, so she sympathizes with orphans. When she reaches New York there is an emergency with the chaperone not being able
able to take 30 children west, so she is persuaded to do the job. There are people in three towns scheduled to meet the orphans with the hope that all the orphans will find new families.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good ending to the series, and the storyline seems to come full circle with Frances repeating the same journey she and her siblings originally took on the "orphan train". There were a few minor things that bothered me -- the main character's naivete, the mother's lack of boundaries, and not a lot of info about the other siblings -- but overall there was enough good character development and a bit of wild west adventure to please any young readers.

[C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable account of life for children who are sent from town to town in search of appropriate families. Some of the children are not orphans, but their parents do not have means to adequately care for them. The story is memorable and the characters endearing. I think this would be a great book for teens

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last book.... We all enjoyed it; the kids more than I, of course. :) They gave 5 stars, I'd give 4. The ride Frances took on the orphan train as an older, wiser girl, was touching. How she could relate to the children and help them out.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frances doesn't have nearly enough sympathy for PTSD (which of course Frances in 1866 would have no way of categorizing, but Joan Lowery Nixon in 1997 should have known that no one holds grudges or obsesses about revenge for the fun of it.)

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent ending to the series, though I would have read 100 more of them.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series - wish there were more!

[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.

[McKaela Magaldi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book, "Circle of Love", is a realistic fiction written by Joan Lowery Nixson. It is the last book in the series; 7/7. Frances is now all grown up, and she ready to start a family of her own, but her lover Jhonny came back from the war and wants nothing to do with marriage. He loves Frances, but he's just not in the mood after what he had seen. This makes Frances mad, so when she finds an opportunity to help deliver this orphan boy to his aunt and uncle in New York, she takes it. Not just to get away from the big argument she had with Jhonny, but to see her old home again. I bet Frances didn't know that this trip would be longer than expected when she is asked to help the Children's aid Society find homes for 30 orphan Train kids, She accepts. (when Frances was 13, she was and her siblings were a part of the Children's Aid Society, on a search for new homes) Each day is full of crazy adventures, twists/turns, and each day she misses Jhonny with all her heart. Read to find out what Frances and Jhonny's argument was about(you might already have an idea!), what did her old home in New York look like now? Did the boy safely get to his aunt and Uncle? Did all 30 kids get a new home? What are the plots and twits ahead?
I absolutely love this series! The more I read each book, the more I love them! Every book is so unique and I had a great time reading each one!
If you read any of the books from the series, I think you will enjoy, "Circle of Love".

[Jacque · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great conclusion to the Orphan Train series. I read aloud all seven books to my kids and they really enjoyed them. I appreciated that each book taught a lesson and was full of good morals!

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book Francis Mary helps a group of children on an orphan train find homes. This process brings back memories of her own orphan train experience and gives her more wisdom. She learns that you can't trust everyone and that some people need a little extra love and time for healing.
Very clean and easy read.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last book of the Orphan Tran Adventure series.
(There are seven total.)
I really wish more people could read these series! They are amazing and so heart-touching!!

[Xenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!! Love this series!! Perfect for your child!! Explains so many grown up emotions but in a way children can understand!

[Beth Kaminske · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good finish to a very nice historical fiction series for kids 9-13