Orphan Train -by Christina Baker Kline

Between 1854 and 1929, so-called orphan trains carried over 200,000 abandoned children across America to uncertain futures. Christina Baker Kline weaves this haunting piece of history into an unforgettable story about two women, generations apart, who discover they share more than they ever imagined.

Molly is a seventeen-year-old foster kid with a chip on her shoulder and community service hours to complete. Vivian is a wealthy widow in her nineties, haunted by a past she’s never spoken about. When Molly helps Vivian sort through her attic, she uncovers the story of a young Irish immigrant who rode an orphan train west—a journey that would shape everything to come.

What begins as an assignment becomes something deeper: a connection that bridges decades of silence, loss, and resilience. As Vivian’s story unfolds, Molly begins to see her own struggles reflected back—and discovers that she’s not as alone as she thought.

Kline’s storytelling is both tender and unflinching, honoring a forgotten chapter of American history while exploring timeless questions about family, identity, and belonging. This is a novel about the families we lose and the families we make, about the stories we carry and the courage it takes to share them.

Perfect for readers who loved The Nightingale or All the Light We Cannot See, Orphan Train is a deeply moving exploration of resilience that will stay with you long after the last page.