Aggie's Home

Orphan Train Children #3

by Joan Lowery Nixon

Aggie Mae Vaughn is 12 years old in 1866, and she lives in the Asylum for Homeless Waifs in New York City. Aggie hates being called a waif almost as much as she hates the orphanage, where she's always in trouble.

Now she's going west on the orphan train, and she doesn't know what to expect. What is it like to live in a real home? Will she be treated like a daughter, or like a worker? And most of all--will anyone want her?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Historical, Novels

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

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

[Bev Walkling · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book that I received through inter-library loan.After the author finished her Orphan Train Quartet she went on to write quite a few more books which I found to be geared to a lower reading level. Each book included some historical information about the orphan trains and the time period and it appeared to be the same in both books that I read. Each book contained words for spelling or for definition.

This book focused on Aggie, a girl whose mother had given her up as a young child in the hopes that that she would lead a better life as a result. Unfortunately she was bullied a lot and ultimately that led to her travels on the orphan train. Aggie had major issues relating to self esteem but proved herself capable even when facing a difficult situation in order to help free slaves. It would probably be interesting for a younger reader but after the earlier books in the series this one didn't quite reach their level.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read and held interest for the kids over a few sessions (ages 3 and 9). I appreciate that the author included historical information about women suffrage movement as well as characters that embraced and encouraged creativity and independent thought. Definitely recommend for an early/mid reader and honestly, I might check out more of the series. For the kids of course 😁

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This children's book was a quick read. I chose it because my book club is reading Orphan Train and I was curious as to what the children's version was like. Very simple, but interesting.

[Congetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story and easy to read. I read it as an adult as I was curious about this topic in history and wanted to see how it told to kids. The history of orphan trains and the women's movement was interesting and the book had pictures of kids from back then as well as ads. I still want to learn more as this topic is associated with other fringe historical topics from that time which I find interesting.

[Allison Tubaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: historical fiction
Grades 3-6

Aggie is an orphan who is ready to find her new forever home, but she’s never been in a real home before or even had a real family. she got on a train and is now heading west. Will this be her chance with a new life and a new family? To find that out you’ll have to read oOrphan Train Children by Lowery Nixon

[Mamiko · Rating 2 out of 5]

Less interesting than the other two Orphan Train Children I'd read. Felt as if the author rushed to include the women's suffrage movement in the plot, and it felt a little too busy as a story. I did appreciate the author's effort to make this series as educational as possible while also entertaining.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely children's fiction, I really liked this quick read. It captures for children a very difficult time of history, helping them internalize the experience, and realize just how difficult it would have been to be an orphan at that point of history. I like how i described how the heroin felt at the mercy of others, but came to realize she still had power and influence in the outcome of her life. Sweet ending.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is from a spin off series (of Nixon's Orphan Train Adventures)and brings back one the original orphan train orphans as a social worker. The stories are a little predictable but bring up some interesting historical context and would be interesting to the intended audience.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am fascinated by the orphan train I would prefer to read stories based on real life experiences, but this short novel was good too. My heart breaks for orphans like Aggie, who feel too young and unattractive to ever be adopted. I loved the heart of her forever family though!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

1866. Aggie is homeless and lives in an Asylum for the homeless in New York. She's always in trouble with the head teacher. She doesn't know what to expect when she is shipped off on the Orphan Train.

[Rosalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely story

[Andrea P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This awesome book the genere is historical fiction