The Little Sparrows

The Orphan Trains Trilogy #1

by Al Lacy, JoAnna Lacy

Kearney, Cheyenne, Rawlins. Reno, Sacramento, San Francisco. At each train station, a few lucky orphans from the crowded streets of New York City receive the fulfillment of their a home and family. This "orphan train" is the vision of Charles Loring Brace, founder of the Children's Aid Society, who cannot bear to see innocent children abandoned in the overpopulated cities of the mid-nineteenth-century. Yet it is not just the orphans whose lives need mending -- follow the train along and watch God's hand restore love and laughter to the right family at the right time!

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Christian, Young Adult, New York

355 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Al Lacy has written more than ninety novels, including the Angel of Mercy, Battles of Destiny, and Journeys of the Stranger series. He and his wife, JoAnna Lacy, are coauthors of the Mail Order Bride, Hannah of Fort Bridger, and Shadow of Liberty series. The Lacys make their home in the Colorado Rockies.

Reviews

[Jill]

It's times like these when Goodreads needs some negative stars...

Ohhhh, why does Christan fiction have to be sooo BAD?!? I'm telling you, I'm a Christian, and there's no way I'm ever going to pick up this badly written, boring crap again. It's riddled with inaccuracies about the time period and daily life, the dialogue is totally and ridiculously fakey sounding, and the history this novel is based on is totally slanted. It's like the characters are living in some alternate universe where everything is bright and shiny and squeaky clean all the time, and bad things only happen so that novelists have something to make money on AND an excuse to show how good and pious they would have been if they had only lived back then. Well I think it's crap and I'm sure glad I didn't buy this book and that I can return it to the library as fast as possible.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely the best of The Orphan Trains Trilogy and probably the only one series I even like written by the Lacy's. The little lisping orphan is so sweet and my heart really went out to him.
There are too many characters...and people's way of talking is very unrealistic...and the phrase "They all shared a laugh" really got on my nerves. But, I think people may still manage to enjoy it :)

[Joy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave it a shot but I don't think I will be looking for any more books by these authors.

[Ardith · Rating 2 out of 5]

The authors of this series are attentive to some historical details, yet have a larger purpose in writing the novels: to make very clear the way of salvation. The Little Sparrows is a tear jerker. However, the sense of life in Nebraska and Wyoming, the time it might take to ride a horse several miles, drive a buggy from a ranch into a town, even the time it would take for the passenger train to travel from one location to another are poorly conceived. Amenities like a washroom down the hall in an 1880's ranch home are ludicrous. The characters on-the-other-hand are interesting and are where the strength of the novels lie. I cannot really give this book or its companions in the series a strong recommendation, even to young people, because of the misleading elements of time and space.

[N.M. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Actual rating is .000000 stars. This is the worst book I have ever read. The dialogue is super fake and way too nice. Considering this book is about the Orphan train, it shouldn't be so cheery and innocent all of the time. Absolutely ridiculous. I feel really bad saying this, because the Authors seem like nice people, but goodness this was AWFUL.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took me a little while to get into. I liked the subject matter of the orphan trains, but the flow of the first couple of chapters was more like an essay than a novel. I found it dry and almost juvenile in its structure. But I am glad that I did push through. As key characters began to be introduced, and the story took shape, I came to care about the children and hoped to find them placed with good families. Parts of this book were a bit preachy, rather than faith being woven into the story gently and naturally, it was often in the face of the reader, which again made conversations between characters a bit more stilted at times. I enjoyed the book enough to put a hold on the second in the series. Looking forward to being introduced to new communities and children who found their homes in them.

[Leslie Hayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author. I happened to pick up the first three in a thrift store and I'm so glad I did. While I'm not really a fan of religious books this book was written in a way that showed there is a higher power for everyone.

This book went through all of my emotions: anger at the fact people were so cruel to Jimmy just because of his speech impediment; sorrow for each child who had lost their parents or were forced into a life of abandonment; hope that each child would be adopted into a loving family; shock when the Marston parents came back.

This book hooked me from the description. Once I picked it up it was hard to put it back down. I'm so glad I have the next two so I can read them.

[Bilbo]

DNF at 11%

I really liked this series when I was a young teen going through my super-Christian phase to get me through a heavy depression. I picked it up again recently to see if it still interested me. That would be a no. I’m not going to rate it, because I am NOT this book’s intended audience anymore, and I only made it about 11% in.

The dialogue in this book is horrible. The characters are shallow and perfect pantomimes of idyllic Christians. The message of evangelism starts right at the beginning and is extremely heavy-handed. It doesn’t feel realistic at all. I’m glad I found some enjoyment out of it when I was young and needed that message, but my tastes have definitely changed.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Kearney, Cheyenne, Rawlins. Reno, Sacramento, San Francisco. At each train station, a few lucky orphans from the crowded streets of New York City receive the fulfillment of their a home and family. This "orphan train" is the vision of Charles Loring Brace, founder of the Children's Aid Society, who cannot bear to see innocent children abandoned in the overpopulated cities of the mid-nineteenth-century. Yet it is not just the orphans whose lives need mending -- follow the train along and watch God's hand restore love and laughter to the right family at the right time!"

I enjoyed the historical aspect and storyline of this book but thought the Christian aspect was too didactic for me.

[Audrey Frazier · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an old Christian fiction book for kids. It has great explanations of the gospel throughout. However, it’s very outdated in the politically correct sense. Kids from hard places should not read this as it has very triggering themes. It’s also not a great picture of what foster care is really like. I’m sure there were actual stories from the orphan trains that are similar, but I’m sure there is much heartache left out. Of course, it was intended for a young audience, so I’m sure they were going for happy endings. It was well written and kept the readers attention nonetheless.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Orphan Train

The Little Sparrows is the first of the Orphan Train Trilogy by AL and Joanna Lacy. We follow a number of orphans from all sorts of circumstances from NYC to San Francisco with many stops along the way, placing children in Christian homes at each stop. It is a fast read, and my first acquaintance with the orphan trains and the authors. I will be reading more.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

To start, I will say it is very preachy, even for a Christian. The multiple storylines are hard to follow, and I couldn’t really get into it. But I did eventually fall in love with the sweet little orphans. I was surprised how much death and despair was included in the book which I feel is a pretty honest representation. Probably wouldn’t read it again.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Little Sparrows is the first of the Orphan Train Trilogy by AL and Joanna Lacy. It speaks of children who have been orphaned or left on the street; and their lives are changed when they meet new parents on the orphan train. too much Christian preaching or would have enjoyed book more.

[Mary Shreffler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The orphan train started by Charles ran from NY where there were thousands of orphans on the street dying and starving. The train took children out west stopping in many western cities for adoption. Lovely story with happy endings

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think children actually talked like they did in this book, but, it was still enjoyable.

[Katie Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was really good as well as a being kinda sad. The saddest parts were when Mary, Johnny, and Lizzy’s parents died and when Johnny’s friend is captured.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. Religion overpowered the story line and historical aspect. The repetitiveness/retelling of many phrases was off-putting.

[Gerry E · Rating 1 out of 5]

This heathen was not interested in all the JEESUUUS in this book! I gave it a star because it is a book 😝

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story good, but pretty predictable.

[Beth Troon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't stop reading these books, all of the train trilogy books are really good.

[Joyce Shutts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart rendering book. Great story but have kleenex ready!

[Michelle Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a heart-wrenching book. I cried several times. I could have never went by those trains as I would have wanted to take all of the children.

[Jess Simmons · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - the dialogue in this book was so fake I couldn’t even make it to chapter 3

[Stephanie Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will definitely need tissues with this one! So good!

[ACS Book-finder · Rating 4 out of 5]

About the book: Kearney, Cheyenne, Rawlins. Reno, Sacramento, San Francisco. At each train station, a few lucky orphans from the crowded streets of New York City receive the fulfillment of their dreams: a home and family. This "orphan train" is the vision of Charles Loring Brace, founder of the Children's Aid Society, who cannot bear to see innocent children abandoned in the overpopulated cities of the mid-nineteenth-century. Yet it is not just the orphans whose lives need mending — follow the train along and watch God's hand restore love and laughter to the right family at the right time!

Review: People who write reviews for books have opinions either strong or negative. The Little Sparrows written by Al and Joanna Lacy is a very entertaining book. The genre is Historical Fiction, and I find this type of genre very interesting. Placing historical facts in the realm of fictional characters is an interesting way to portray history.

Al and Joanna Lacy have written other works about the Trail of Tears and the Texas War of Independence. Those works were very interesting with the fictional characters intertwined with historical facts. This particular novel represents the orphan trains also interweave a little known aspect of history.

There were many different reasons and situations that children were placed onto the orphan train seeking new homes and lives. One particularly interesting part tells about siblings whose parents supposedly perished in a shipwreck, and the subsequent search for these siblings when they returned to full health.

Throughout this story the authors have woven Christian faiths and beliefs. We learn that the gentleman who originally created the orphan train was himself a Christian. Trust in God plays a major part throughout the book. The message of salvation is repeatedly preached.

Having read other novels by Al and Joanna Lacy, I was slightly disappointed with how predictable several story lines were. Yet, although some of the suspense level was diminished, the amazing historical facts about the orphan trains were enough to keep me turning the pages. (rev. D.Bodley)

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of The Little Sparrows was provided by WaterBrook Multnomah to facilitate our honest review without any obligation for a favorable report. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story starts out in New York in 1874 and tells the stories of several children that had become orphans and are being transported by "The Orphan Train" out West to be adopted by families. The Orphan Train was started in 1854 by Dr. Charles Loring Brace after hearing of more than 30,000 children (orphans or run-aways) living on the streets of New York. For the next 75 years, until the last train in 1929, more than 250,000 children were placed in homes in every western state and territory except Arizona.

This was an interesting subject and good storyline.......however, it did get too preachy at times. I don't mind mention of religion and God in any book I am reading, but it was sometimes a bit overwhelming.

[Ruthie Sellers · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the jacket and was hooked. How interesting can this be! An Orphan Train in the 1800's? Heck yeah! The prologue (non fiction) was fantastic! However, I made it through exactly 2 chapters before giving up. First of all, what 12 year old girl, living on a ranch in 18something still call her mother "Mommy". Second, while I am a fan of Christian fiction (love the Amish genre), I do not wish to read about God's enduring love repreatedly. Especially when I picked up this book to read about AN ORPHAN TRAIN. Finally, of the two chapters I read, there were approximately 3-4 pages that directly revolved around THE ORPHAN TRAIN. I will not be finishing this book or series.

[Joyce E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book with a wholesome plot. It is easy to predict what's going to happen throughout. A look at the happier moments of the orphans and families who traveled the orphan trains. An easy read that leaves you with a feeling that God truly watches over the little sparrows. If you are looking for an action packed book...don't choose this book. The Little Sparrows would be a good book to read when you are fed up with the drama and struggles that real life presents. Read this when you just need to relax and be reminded that God is in control!

[Morgan Lindey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very cute and the children characters will melt your heart. I really enjoyed this book but, some parts are a little to good to be true. The book also gets a tad bit repetitive. I understand that there needs to be a set up for all the children to get on the train, but it is a little hard to follow all of the characters and remember who is who. The ending is very sweet and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, but it is pretty unrealistic. I overall really enjoyed this book, and thought it was a fun read.

[Karla M · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Little Sparrows was my introduction to Al & Joanna Lacy. I enjoyed the very simple literary style. I pre-read this book for my son's history. I had not heard of the Orphan Trains prior to reading this book,but found myself researching more to learn about this interesting part of US History. I enjoyed the message of "suffer not the little children" and the message of hope against the backdrop of a very discouraging time in US History.