Ezra's Story

The Orphan Train Saga

by Sherry A. Burton

Ezra’s story begins in New York City in 1915, a volatile time during which droves of immigrants poured into an overly crowded city looking for housing, jobs, and the American dream.

Ezra’s father has lost his job at the docks and starts to drink heavily, which in turn has left the family fearful and hungry. After his parents have a violent argument, Ezra decides to run away and take his brother with him.

Prior to their departure, Ezra is confronted by his father, who is very drunk and unable to control his temper. As the skirmish with his father becomes more intense, Ezra sends his little brother into the streets. Ezra follows shortly afterward, only to find himself alone in the crowded city and unable to find his brother.

As he frantically searches for his sibling, Ezra makes friends with an Irish immigrant who helps him navigate his new life. His new friend teaches him to open his eyes and his heart to the suffering of others, a lesson that seals his fate when an act of kindness sets him up to be sent west on an orphan train to find the life he thought he’d lost forever.

Genres: Historical Fiction

183 pages, Paperback

Published January 13, 2021

About the author

Sherry A. Burton is the author of The Orphan Train Saga novels, a planned eighteen book historical fiction saga that revolves around the Orphan Trains. Books in the saga include Discovery, Shameless, Treachery, Guardian, and Loyal.

Ezra’s Story, the first in The Orphan Train Saga spinoff series.

Sherry's fiction titles include Tears of Betrayal, Love in the Bluegrass, Seems Like Yesterday, The King of My Heart, Somewhere in My Dreams, Surviving the Storm, and Always Faithful, a Jerry McNeal Novella.

Born in Kentucky, Sherry and her Retired Navy Veteran husband live in Michigan’s thumb. When not in the writing chair, Sherry travels the country doing book signings and giving lectures on the orphan trains.

Reviews

[Elizabeth]

I was glad to find out what happened to Ezra in Sherry Burton's Orphan Train series. I was very surprised at the ending!

[Lori]

One of my favorites of the Orphan Train series. I had always wondered what happened to Ezra and was thrilled that Sherry Burton wrote this to finish his story. It was exciting that she used the little known family placement program that was an important part of the Orphan Train movement.

[Natalie Beechum]

Very good and interesting.

[Vanessa Krauss]

Give me horror, schlock, sexy times, but the one thing that makes me more emotionally wrecked than anything else is starving children and overall food insecurity. Just hoping this little midge can find food and a dry place to sleep than anything else. But he finds support and employment, and eventually a better life, where all it takes is some compassion from others to give this sweet boy a chance. Was endeared to his plight, and hoping for the best for him. Not a typical gripe from me, but I wish for more at the ending. Maybe a few years down the line, how as an adult he passes along kindness and charity. But, it's a satisfying enough ending and a good read.

[Betty Mullaney]

Such a moving series.

I hemmed and hawed about reading this series. For some reason, I had a preconceived notion of what the books were about. I was so wrong! This series is told with heartbreaking but completely engaging historical fiction. The orphan trains were real, and these stories are likely an accurate depiction of what was reality at the time. Each book tells the story in the voice of a different orphan. I won't give away any spoilers, but I will say, please don't waste time getting started like I did. These books just might surprise you by becoming one of your favorite series.

[NATIVE TEXAN]

Adventure of a seven-year-old boy living alone on the streets

EZRA'S STORY, Orphan Train Saga Bonus, Sherry Burton, 03/16/2025
Covers Ezra's time on the streets after he saw his mother dead then stabbed his father, lost his 4-year-old brother in their haste to escape the building where they lived. Found by a kindly Irishman who took him in for several years, then Ezra's stint as a doorman for B. Altman, after which his mother found him at the YMCA and they went to Nebraska to join his now-sober father, to live with his grandparents on their farm. Quite a contrast to living alone on the streets of New York City.

[Deloris Brinks]

Great short story of a boy who thought he had lost his famiky.

I liked this story because it told about the boys experience of trying to live on his own while the goodness in him brought him extra help that many others were privileged to get. I'd recommend this story to someone who is interested in the orphan train stories and a true look at them. I gave this rating because it was very believable.

[Tj Walker]

Enjoyed Ezra's Story

I have read books 1-3 in the Orphan Train saga when I discovered Ezra's story! It was a really great read. In order to have no spoilers, I won't go into detail but I truly enjoyed it! I think it was better after I had already read the first few books because I had a bit of the background to relate to the book.

[Gurunam Kaur Khalsa]

Ezra's story started out sad, but tried to do the right things and was treated kindly in return.

Ezra is a kind and thoughtful boy and when he winds up on the streets he wants his mother, in heaven to still be proud of his behavior. Kind people notice that he doesn't steal even when he' hungry and is kind to others and offer him help. This is a very uplifting tale!

[Brenda Tippie]

The Orphan Train Saga

Incredible series in which I shed many tears! Beautifully written! I wonder if the author might consider writing off lives of Linda and Cindy prior to discovering the journals hidden in the attic of Cindy’s grandmother? Anxiously awaiting for Dorthia’s story!

[Patricia]

Outstanding

Another outstanding story from author Sherry A. Burton. Once again I was amazed at the story being told, this time, by Ezra. About the kindness he was shown by strangers, though they didn't have much to give.

[Nancy Thierry]

Great story

I loved this book, it answered some of the questions hanging out there with Tobias. Her books make all the characters come to life. Sherry is great always wanting to keep the stories from this series connecting. Can't wait for the next book!

[Vikki Vaught]

My Musings

What an absorbing novel, I Ezra was so fortunate to have Angus take him under his wing. It made me sad that Tobias didn't reunite with his parents as Ezra did. Great story. I am so glad I found this one in Kindle Unlimited. Happy reading!

[Beverly Kee]

What a emotional story!

After reading the first five books this one left me in tears for the way Tobias ended up! So many if only a slight difference had happened! But so goes a great story as that is what made them so real. Congratulations to the author!

[Anita Rohn]

Ezra

A very difficult life for a little boy. But, this one found a way to manage day to day without causing others anquish. And strong men who taught right from wrong. A broken family begins to heal.

[Anthony Gallagher]

Ezra’s Story

One seldom knows the difficulties of people they meet but kindness extended often imparts blessings to both. A delightful story, five star really, which I would recommend to anyone wishing a good read.

[Susan Gallagher]

History

A good story about a time in our short past. Follow the children and see how they made out.
This is the second series I have read from this author and I couldn't stop reading.

[Carol Engler]

Ezra

The last child life story told in the Orphan train books. This one was totally different since his path was very much different from his siblings. I never really felt that Ezra had the true orphan experience. But what he did was still life amfrim.

[Dawn Baffa]

Another great story

This is an update to another character from the Orphan train saga. I strongly recommend this series, it gives a lot of incite about the Orphan trains.

[Charlene Kirk Giles]

Great short book to know more about the second characters.

[Georgia LaRue]

Ezra

This book was amazing and a great read. The ending was not what I expected but it was happy and great.

[Avid Reader]

Great and Surprising Read.

Please make sure you read this one! It is a terrific and very surprising read! If you read the others this one is a must! Great read!

[Alisa Yancey]

This is a very sweet, short story, that gives wonderful examples of being kind and helping those around you 😊

[Vicki Bordieri]

Thank you

After reading all the others I often wondered about Ezra. Thanks for this I enjoyed it as much as the rest.

[Isaac]

Ezra

Another excellent but short story about Ezra. I want to know about Clara, her head mistress mom, dorthia and the others.

[Beverly Jones]

Ezra's Story

I liked this book, and I am glad Ezra found his family. I wish the.others had found some happiness, too.

[Linda]

Good short story to add to the Orphans Train Saga Collection.

[Brenda McLaughlin]

Such a good book. So sad how people struggled just to survive another night. Ezra got lucky when he met Angus. He was one of the lucky ones b

[Harry Green]

Read

I definitely enjoyed this book and all of the orphan train books I've read thus far. I would encourage all my friends and other reading enthusiasts to read.

[Claudia]

a beautiful story

So glad the Ezra seems to be making a good life for himself. Hope that jacket continues to serve him well.