What do you think?
Rate this book
Based on a True Story
Nettie and Nellie Crook: Orphan Train Sisters
Meet the twins who traveled on the orphan train to find their forever home in this middle grade historical fiction novel, part of the Based on a True Story series.
Can you imagine becoming an orphan while your parents are still alive? That's what happens to Nettie and Nellie Crook, who are only five years old in 1910 when they are removed from their home in New York.
No one tells Nettie and Nellie why their parents can no longer care for them, and later, no one explains why all the orphans are put on a train headed west. The girls soon find themselves put on display in various small town auditoriums, where prospective parents examine and select children for adoption. Nettie and Nellie are taken by Mr. and Mrs. Chapin, but this happy ending isn't what it seems; Mrs. Chapin is cruel and works the girls like slaves. The twins are eventually rescued, finding the "forever" home they've always wanted.
Nettie and Nellie Orphan Train Sisters by Susan Hill writing as E. F. Abbott, with illustrations by Clint Hansen is a fascinating novel for young readers, featuring black-and-white illustrations and photographs throughout. This title has Common Core connections.
The Based on a True Story books by E. F. Abbott are exciting historical fiction stories about real children who lived through extraordinary times in American History. Other books in the Based on a True Story series include Sybil Revolutionary War Rider , John Lincoln Civil War Drummer Boy , and Mary Native American Captive .
"This engaging narrative portrays children facing real hardships. . . . An appended note from Abbott (a pseudonym for Susan Hill) provides information about child welfare in the early 1900s, the orphan trains, and the lives of the real Nettie and Nellie Crook." - Booklist
Can you imagine becoming an orphan while your parents are still alive? That's what happens to Nettie and Nellie Crook, who are only five years old in 1910 when they are removed from their home in New York.
No one tells Nettie and Nellie why their parents can no longer care for them, and later, no one explains why all the orphans are put on a train headed west. The girls soon find themselves put on display in various small town auditoriums, where prospective parents examine and select children for adoption. Nettie and Nellie are taken by Mr. and Mrs. Chapin, but this happy ending isn't what it seems; Mrs. Chapin is cruel and works the girls like slaves. The twins are eventually rescued, finding the "forever" home they've always wanted.
Nettie and Nellie Orphan Train Sisters by Susan Hill writing as E. F. Abbott, with illustrations by Clint Hansen is a fascinating novel for young readers, featuring black-and-white illustrations and photographs throughout. This title has Common Core connections.
The Based on a True Story books by E. F. Abbott are exciting historical fiction stories about real children who lived through extraordinary times in American History. Other books in the Based on a True Story series include Sybil Revolutionary War Rider , John Lincoln Civil War Drummer Boy , and Mary Native American Captive .
"This engaging narrative portrays children facing real hardships. . . . An appended note from Abbott (a pseudonym for Susan Hill) provides information about child welfare in the early 1900s, the orphan trains, and the lives of the real Nettie and Nellie Crook." - Booklist
176 pages, Paperback
First published February 16, 2016
9 people are currently reading
422 people want to read
About the author
E.F. Abbott
4 books23 followersE.F. Abbott is a pseudonym used by multiple authors: Susan Hill, Jane Kelley, Kristin O'Donnell Tubb, and Karen Romano Young.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 13, 2022
Pretty sad, especially knowing it's based on a true story. But well written, easy & fun to read. I never heard of the orphan train until I read this. Really quick read & informative.
March 27, 2016
NETTIE AND NELLIE CROOK: ORPHAN TRAIN SISTERS by E. F. Abbott is based on the true experiences of twin girls in the early 20th century.
When their parents can no longer take care of them, Nettie and Nellie are taken by the Children’s Aid Society to live in an orphanage. Eventually, they travel to Kansas then South Dakota to be adopted.
Orphan train stories are popular with children. Readers will enjoy the biographical information and the historical photographs will bring the time period to life for readers.
Librarians will find that this new series is a good way to introduce middle grade youth to the heartbreaking reality of children’s lives in key time periods in American history. Although written as historical fiction, the books are based on real events. The titles are short and easy-to-read making them useful for classroom activities.
Other books in the new “Based on a True Story” series include Sybil Ludington: Revolutionary War Rider, John Lincoln Clem: Civil War Drummer Boy, and Mary Jamison: Native American Captive.
Published by Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan on February 16, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.
When their parents can no longer take care of them, Nettie and Nellie are taken by the Children’s Aid Society to live in an orphanage. Eventually, they travel to Kansas then South Dakota to be adopted.
Orphan train stories are popular with children. Readers will enjoy the biographical information and the historical photographs will bring the time period to life for readers.
Librarians will find that this new series is a good way to introduce middle grade youth to the heartbreaking reality of children’s lives in key time periods in American history. Although written as historical fiction, the books are based on real events. The titles are short and easy-to-read making them useful for classroom activities.
Other books in the new “Based on a True Story” series include Sybil Ludington: Revolutionary War Rider, John Lincoln Clem: Civil War Drummer Boy, and Mary Jamison: Native American Captive.
Published by Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan on February 16, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.
July 7, 2016
ARC received courtesy of Goodreads.com First Reads Giveaway
I love well-written books like this that will pull a kid into an historic story and hold their attention. This story is based on a true story with input from both Nettie's and Nellie's real lives. I would use this book in an early middle school classroom to fuel discussion and further knowledge of the Orphan Trains. Children younger than that may have some anxiety as they grapple with the fact that children were taken from their families when they were as young as the twins (5) and "placed out". It's a tough concept, but, an essential concept to explore. The photos included in the book add much to the understanding of the situation that Nettie and Nellie found themselves.
I love well-written books like this that will pull a kid into an historic story and hold their attention. This story is based on a true story with input from both Nettie's and Nellie's real lives. I would use this book in an early middle school classroom to fuel discussion and further knowledge of the Orphan Trains. Children younger than that may have some anxiety as they grapple with the fact that children were taken from their families when they were as young as the twins (5) and "placed out". It's a tough concept, but, an essential concept to explore. The photos included in the book add much to the understanding of the situation that Nettie and Nellie found themselves.
March 27, 2021
The district added this book to my classroom library. I've been fascinated by the orphan train ever since I first learned about it a few years ago. It's a fascinating piece of history.
I think this book was particularly interesting because it was based on the actual stories of real twin sisters who were part of the orphan train. Not only, that--they weren't orphans! I knew in a vague kind of way that not all orphans were actually orphans; some "orphans" were children whose parents were unable to care for them. (Foster care wasn't a thing yet.)
There are photos of the girls growing up. There are stories of abuse--a real problem in those times of too many children and not enough caretakers. There are stories of what happened to them afterwords.
I wonder what happened to their family: their mother, father, and brother. I would like to learn more about other real stories of real orphan train children. I know some stories were not happy but that's no reason to ignore history.
I think this book was particularly interesting because it was based on the actual stories of real twin sisters who were part of the orphan train. Not only, that--they weren't orphans! I knew in a vague kind of way that not all orphans were actually orphans; some "orphans" were children whose parents were unable to care for them. (Foster care wasn't a thing yet.)
There are photos of the girls growing up. There are stories of abuse--a real problem in those times of too many children and not enough caretakers. There are stories of what happened to them afterwords.
I wonder what happened to their family: their mother, father, and brother. I would like to learn more about other real stories of real orphan train children. I know some stories were not happy but that's no reason to ignore history.
September 5, 2024
This is a children's book based on a ture story. I think this would have been scary for me to read as a kid without an adult to frame history. These twins watched their baby sister die, in their NY tenant building, their parents would leave them for weeks at a time - either for work or depression, without a means to feed themselves is traumatizing enough as a kid. Then top that with someone coming into their home, removing them and their older brother, were sent to an orphanage where they were separated from their brother, lived in not great conditions, sent on a train to find a "new family" who turned out to be abusive. This did have a happy ending, with the Children's Aid worker returning and placing in a foster home, which ended up being ther "forever home". Both twins lived to be 90+, reconnected with their dad and brother.
This would have been a story that my little girl heart couldn't take and would need discussion and context and lots of love.
This would have been a story that my little girl heart couldn't take and would need discussion and context and lots of love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2018
This is a great “true story” for kids to read about the life that so many children lived. Where they had either lost their parents or were removed from their parents Home to be sent on an orphan train out West to new families. I really like that the author doesn’t shy away from the hard parts of the twins lives but she also doesn’t make it too graphic and does focus on the positive.
Recommend: 8 and up; the reading level is not too hard but the topic is a little bit heavier; good focus on positive out comes without glossing over how hard parts of their lives were and how some never really got their happy ending; also like that it wraps up with a focus on caring for kids both then and now, moving into the future.
Recommend: 8 and up; the reading level is not too hard but the topic is a little bit heavier; good focus on positive out comes without glossing over how hard parts of their lives were and how some never really got their happy ending; also like that it wraps up with a focus on caring for kids both then and now, moving into the future.
February 23, 2018
This was the great reads book club book this month. We didn't make it to the book club, but the girls and I read it anyway.
Orphan train - trigger warning: abandonment, abuse
Sandy and I started reading it and she was quite upset. I ended up reading the historical note at the end so she could see how it all ended. She finished reading it on her own that night. I was very worried about Abby reading it and so I put it in my take back pile.
Abby picked it up and read it anyway. I heard her sobbing hysterically and went in and saw she had read most of the book. I read the rest with her.
This was well-written, good glimpse of history. I suggest previewing, though, and probably reading with your child if they are under 10.
Orphan train - trigger warning: abandonment, abuse
Sandy and I started reading it and she was quite upset. I ended up reading the historical note at the end so she could see how it all ended. She finished reading it on her own that night. I was very worried about Abby reading it and so I put it in my take back pile.
Abby picked it up and read it anyway. I heard her sobbing hysterically and went in and saw she had read most of the book. I read the rest with her.
This was well-written, good glimpse of history. I suggest previewing, though, and probably reading with your child if they are under 10.
June 12, 2018
I read another adult historical fiction called The Orphan Train and I was astounded that this 'auctioning' off of orphans happened. Another little known piece of our history that isn't talked about much. So, when I saw this book in the children's section I had to read it.
This story tells the story of Nettie and Nellie Crook who were actual Orphan Train children. They were taken when they were only 5 and dropped into an orphanage. The orphanage was brutal and there was no love shown to the girls or any of the orphans. Shortly thereafter they were told they get to board the train and aren't given too many specifics on it. They learned they will be on this train to find parents. Nettie and Nellie had to put up with so much heartbreak and so much wrongness at an early age. They were such tough girls and thankfully they found their happy ending with the most unlikely of parents. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this wonderful book and I passed it my son who immediately started reading it. He loved the book as well and didn't like Mrs. Chapin at all.
This story tells the story of Nettie and Nellie Crook who were actual Orphan Train children. They were taken when they were only 5 and dropped into an orphanage. The orphanage was brutal and there was no love shown to the girls or any of the orphans. Shortly thereafter they were told they get to board the train and aren't given too many specifics on it. They learned they will be on this train to find parents. Nettie and Nellie had to put up with so much heartbreak and so much wrongness at an early age. They were such tough girls and thankfully they found their happy ending with the most unlikely of parents. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this wonderful book and I passed it my son who immediately started reading it. He loved the book as well and didn't like Mrs. Chapin at all.
January 4, 2020
My first book of the library challenge! Took me two hours and it was a delight. I'd never heard of the orphan trains until this book, and now I'm genuinely interested in the history behind these ladies.
While Nellie and Nettie faced hopeless situations, they kept each other strong while they were so young. A fast, easy delightful read and I loved Mother Darrah and that Nellie and Nettie found her.
'I like to sit safe right here at my kitchen table and watch that storm come in. And then I watch it roll on out again. And I say to myself, 'Well, Mary Darrah, isn't that just the way of it?''
While Nellie and Nettie faced hopeless situations, they kept each other strong while they were so young. A fast, easy delightful read and I loved Mother Darrah and that Nellie and Nettie found her.
'I like to sit safe right here at my kitchen table and watch that storm come in. And then I watch it roll on out again. And I say to myself, 'Well, Mary Darrah, isn't that just the way of it?''
March 29, 2023
Absolutely fantastic read about twins from NYC on the Orphan Train. Their very close attachment to each other as twins is explored, the kind people along the way who helped and loved them and the mean abusers who sought to humiliate & destroy them. We visited the Orphan Train historical museum in Concordia, KS , which peaked our interest in this historical event. A great museum & research facility is where I bought this small book, probably for preteens but it told the story we’ll. I loved the twins & Miss Hill from the Children’s Aid Society. Enjoy!
May 2, 2018
I liked Mr. Chapin because he always helped the twins when his wife did not. Mrs. Chapin did not like them. The book was exciting, and I liked that it had a happy ending. And I also liked that there was a picture at the end to see what they actually looked like. People were always mistaking them.
September 14, 2018
It's a good book for telling children about the orphan train experience.
I was disappointed because I had heard that it takes place (at least partly) in Manhattan, KS. It did not. The only mention was a brief tidbit at the end that the twins attended KSU.
I was disappointed because I had heard that it takes place (at least partly) in Manhattan, KS. It did not. The only mention was a brief tidbit at the end that the twins attended KSU.
February 27, 2017
My girls read this for Mother-Daughter book club. I didn't actually read it--but they all did and really enjoyed it. I think they really liked the fact that it's based on a true story, with real pictures of the girls. Glad their story finally ended well.
May 12, 2016
Nettie and Nellie Crook, Orphan Train sisters, is a book by E.F Abbot about two girl’s journey on the orphan train, a vehicle that placed orphans in homes in the beginning of the 20th century. At the tender age of five, they are taken from their unstable family home, even though both their parents were alive. The two girls find themselves in an orphanage, where the meals are dreadful and people unhappy.
But their stay at the orphanage was short-lived when they board the orphan train and are moved from town to town to be possibly chosen by new parents. They are delighted at the prospect of leaving the orphanage, but watching the train break up two brother’s strikes fear in their hearts. Finally, they are adopted by Mr. and Ms. Chapin, and told this will be their forever home. Will the girls receive the kindness they always deserved, or find themselves back on the orphan train? Read the book to find out.
The story of Nettie and Nellie Crook is a true one, and highlights just one of thousands of cases on the orphan trains of the early 1900’s. The train gave many orphans a second chance, but some of those adopted had poor living conditions and were abused. In troubled times in New York, the train was a dream come true for some children, and a nightmare for others.
I recommend this book for ages nine through twelve because the book had lots of graphics and reader-friendly features that would appeal most to this age group. In addition, it had important ideas about the time period and events that I think those below nine would struggle to understand.
I give this book four stars because I loved how effectively it tied in the author’s opinion about the train and the girl’s actual story. I would have preferred a lengthened description of the setting and train system, because both of those were very interesting to me. Overall, it was a wonderful story that showed the strength of two girl’s mutual love and affection, and the reality for orphans in the early 1900’s. It was an enjoyable read, and the story of Nellie and Nettie Crook should never be forgotten.
Anya A., 11, Metropolitan Washington Mensa
But their stay at the orphanage was short-lived when they board the orphan train and are moved from town to town to be possibly chosen by new parents. They are delighted at the prospect of leaving the orphanage, but watching the train break up two brother’s strikes fear in their hearts. Finally, they are adopted by Mr. and Ms. Chapin, and told this will be their forever home. Will the girls receive the kindness they always deserved, or find themselves back on the orphan train? Read the book to find out.
The story of Nettie and Nellie Crook is a true one, and highlights just one of thousands of cases on the orphan trains of the early 1900’s. The train gave many orphans a second chance, but some of those adopted had poor living conditions and were abused. In troubled times in New York, the train was a dream come true for some children, and a nightmare for others.
I recommend this book for ages nine through twelve because the book had lots of graphics and reader-friendly features that would appeal most to this age group. In addition, it had important ideas about the time period and events that I think those below nine would struggle to understand.
I give this book four stars because I loved how effectively it tied in the author’s opinion about the train and the girl’s actual story. I would have preferred a lengthened description of the setting and train system, because both of those were very interesting to me. Overall, it was a wonderful story that showed the strength of two girl’s mutual love and affection, and the reality for orphans in the early 1900’s. It was an enjoyable read, and the story of Nellie and Nettie Crook should never be forgotten.
Anya A., 11, Metropolitan Washington Mensa
September 24, 2016
The “Based on a True Story” historical fiction series focuses on tales of real children from America’s past. “Nettie and Nellie Crook: Orphan Train Sisters,” is the story of twin sisters who are only five years old when they are removed from their New York home. Though their parents are still living, the sisters are put on an “orphan train” headed west, where they are put on display in a number of small towns for prospective parents to examine for adoption.
The girls are initially adopted by the Chapins, a grocer and his wife. The placement is a poor fit. Mr. Chapin is kindly, but Mrs. Chapin is harsh and demands a great deal of work from the youngsters. The Children’s Aid Society steps in, and eventually the sisters find a home with a new family, the Darrahs, where they are better-treated and stay.
The vintage photographs included in the books enrich the reader’s experience, enhancing understanding of Nettie and Nellie’s plight. Combined with biographical information and solid story-telling, Abbott brings this era to life for young readers. This volume is a good tie-in for history units on the Western Expansion. It will certainly provide a springboard for discussion of the orphan train movement, the historical treatment of children, adoption, and families. Fans of the Joan Lowery Nixon Orphan Train series, will enjoy this story.
The girls are initially adopted by the Chapins, a grocer and his wife. The placement is a poor fit. Mr. Chapin is kindly, but Mrs. Chapin is harsh and demands a great deal of work from the youngsters. The Children’s Aid Society steps in, and eventually the sisters find a home with a new family, the Darrahs, where they are better-treated and stay.
The vintage photographs included in the books enrich the reader’s experience, enhancing understanding of Nettie and Nellie’s plight. Combined with biographical information and solid story-telling, Abbott brings this era to life for young readers. This volume is a good tie-in for history units on the Western Expansion. It will certainly provide a springboard for discussion of the orphan train movement, the historical treatment of children, adoption, and families. Fans of the Joan Lowery Nixon Orphan Train series, will enjoy this story.
May 1, 2016
Based on a true story, this title recounts the experiences of twin girls, Nettie and Nellie Crook, who are removed from the parents' care in 1910 and placed in an orphanage when they are five. Neither parent was able to take care of the girls, and they eventually are sent on an orphan train that travels from New York to Kansas where they are placed with the Chapin family. While the father is kind-hearted, his wife is not, and she puts the six-year-old girls to work immediately and punishes them severely for any mistake. Eventually, the Children's Aid Society gets wind of the abuse and removes the girls. Although their next placement is meant to be temporary, they find a real home with the Darrahs. The story will appeal to many intermediate grade readers, especially since it is based on real characters and their life experiences and contains several archival photographs. Readers can only wonder at how the girls must have felt during all these events and be thankful that, miraculously, they were never separated. This is part of a useful series highlighting events in history that will make the subjects it explores come alive for young readers. My heart was touched by the plight of these children.
July 27, 2016
This is the story of two children who were taken from their parents who were for reasons unknown seemed not to be able to take care of their family. They disappeared for long periods of time, leaving the children to take care of themselves. The girls and their brother were taken from their parents and placed in an orphanage. This is not a pleasant for the two five year old twins. They are put on one of the orphan trains and then place with a very cruel woman and their lives become even worse. The illustrations were done with line drawings and photos of the time. While this book is part of a fiction series, these two girls actually lived-pictures of the girls are shown as well in the text. A great look at history for kids written in a very friendly format of fiction. The details of the story are gleamed from actual history and like all fiction these facts are written in a narrative style that will engage the reader. Good addition to a series about children in history.
October 18, 2016
Nettie and Nellie Crook: Orphan Train Sisters is an enjoyable middle grade read based on real life events. Sisters Nettie and Nellie Crook were among the thousands of children who rode on the Orphan Train during the beginning of the 20th century. Although the girls weren't orphans they did live a life of extreme poverty with parents who were unable to provide adequate care. I enjoyed reading about the lives of these two resilient twins who had a rough start in life but who made it through and ended up finding their forever family. Sweet story perfect for young history buffs.
August 2, 2016
This book is based on a true story of girls from the orphan train. Their story is pretty intense, so I am not sure how well really young readers can handle the subject matter, even though the text is very accessible. I liked how the author's note shares a lot of information about the sisters and their experience to fill in the blanks.
June 4, 2016
This was a great historical nonfiction book for children. It is engaging and does not feel as though you are reading nonfiction. However, it is based on a true story and incorporates real events and people.
December 21, 2016
I loved this book. It is middle grade and there is illustrations and pictures in it that only add to the story being told. Your heart goes out to these twins and their brother (and all the others!), and you end up rooting for them so much by the end. I would recommend this book. 5 out of 5 stars.
July 7, 2016
Based on a true story, this is a wonderful introduction to the orphan train era.
November 16, 2016
Way fast read...good intro to the orphan trains. would like to learn more about them.
February 1, 2017
This is a really great book. For me it is four and a half stars. It is about two twins who get separated from their family.
April 30, 2017
I came across this searching the BPL evoke collection for children's books about the orphan trains. From a new series, "Based on a True Story," the story was emotionally difficult--children being yanked from their parents to be put on the "orphan trains" out west, enduring unimaginable hardships. This was the life for indigent children in the 1910s, before homeless shelters and the foster care system. The historical background is minimally covered in the back matter of the book, and left me wanting to learn more. I love the integration of primary sources, e.g., photos from the Library of Congress, which lends authenticity to the short novel. Each book in the series is written by a pseudonymous author. I'll probably purchase all of them for my library. Recommended for mature grades 3+
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews