Orphan Train to Kansas

by Donna Nordmark Aviles

Holding tight to one another, vowing never to be separated, Oliver and Edward board the Orphan Train, headed west to start a new life. Will their promise prove impossible to keep, or will they find a home together?From 1854-1929, America’s Orphan Train Movement relocated over 250,000 homeless and neglected children from East Coast cities, to farming communities in the West. Known at the time as “placing out,” it was believed that the children would have a better future in the morally upright home of a Christian farmer. With a success rate of over 80%, this ambitious experiment is now recognized as the beginning of Foster Care in America. Orphan Train To Kansas is the true story of Oliver and Edward Nordmark. Together, the boys traveled from the Children’s Village Orphanage in Dobbs Ferry, arriving in Bern, Kansas in search of a home. Their story is one of perseverance, resilience and brotherly love that will leave you with a deeper understanding of this nearly forgotten piece of American history.“It’s very American - their journey to find their places in the world. I’m attracted to true stories and this one has a lot of heart - a wellspring of drama, humor and adventure. She’s a young writer, new to the craft, and she’s able to accomplish that. It’s very difficult.”—William Rotko, Screenwriter – Breach (Universal Pictures)

168 pages, Paperback

Published November 27, 2018

About the author

A resident of Hockessin, Delaware, Donna Nordmark Aviles is the granddaughter of Oliver Nordmark, the protagonist of her first two books, Fly Little Bird, Fly! and Beyond The Orphan Train. She has worked in many fields including foreign exchange, social services and business. After raising three children, Aviles returned to her early love of writing and is currently working on her third book, PEANUT BUTTER FOR CUPCAKES, a True Story from the Great Depression.

She enjoys visiting schools and community organizations to educate audiences about the Orphan Train Movement.

Reviews

[Kivalina Mauck]

Sweet

Exelant book. Those kids sucffered so much. Oliver was so brave and smart. Wish I knew him. What a guy

[Anne Brown]

A short but heartwarming story about the tenacity of a young orphan and how he tried to care for his younger brother. Also great history about how orphans were treated during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

[Sally]

An interesting true story!

[Ann Tracy]

Book club suggestion. This true coming of age story is both heartbreaking & heartwarming. Sometimes it’s wonderful to read a lesser known writer. Honest, real, much enjoyed.

[Alisha]

Great research.