Orphan!

by John R. Weber

Homer abruptly finds out at age 13 that he's adopted when his gruff father, an Iowa farmer, announces it after dinner one night. Homer is crushed and decides he must find his real family who he learns were in New York City. On his way, he stops to tell his best friend, Jamie, who feels compelled to go along and keep Homer out of trouble. They hop a train and head east, only to run into danger the very next day. Narrowly escaping a brutal demise, they're befriended by Smilin' Jack, a hobo who takes them under his wing. After a series of misadventures and serious scrapes, Jamie falls ill and Homer takes him to the house of their friend Sam, a wealthy girl who had lived in their town but then was sent back East. Sam helps Jamie get the best medical care possible and lends support as Homer traces his origins to a church-run orphanage. As he adjusts to what he learns, his family in Iowa helps raise money for Jamie's experimental care, helping Homer at last know the true meaning of family.

Genres: Historical Fiction

301 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

John R. Weber is currently Director of Secondary education programs at a private school in the mountains of Honduras. After receiving his MA in computer science, John spent twenty-two years working in higher education administration in information technology, and studied fiction at Missouri University.

When he’s not in Honduras, John lives in northwestern Illinois, where he bicycles and teaches whitewater kayaking and backpacking to teens and preteens.

Orphan is his first young adult novel.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the midst of the Depression Homer's life is uprooted with the simple sentence, 'You're an orphan Homer.' This single sentence rocker Homer's world. He couldn't believe that HIS parents were NOT his parents. After everyone goes to bed the night of the big revelation he finds a paper that says his parents can take him out of school after he is 13 and they have to pay him like a hired hand when he is 17 and no longer have to care for him after he turns 18. Homer always assumed he would farm with his dad and eventually take over, but now he is only good enough to be a hired hand?? Homer runs away and decides he needs to find his own parents and find out why they gave him up.

All he knows is he came on an orphan train, his real name and that he came from New York City. After holing up in a barn for a few days he decides that he HAS to go to NYC and find his parents. The only way to do so? Jumping trains of course. He is too scared to go by himself so he convinces Jamie, his best-friend to go with him.

The boys hop on the first train heading east out of their small Iowa farm town. The first time they hop off in Kansas City, is almost their last day on this earth. They are as green to the rails as fresh sailor in the sea. They walk right up to a bull (railroad detective) and the meanest one around at that, to ask directions. He badly beats Homer and almost violates Jamie in the most intimate of ways, until he is stopped by Smilin' Jack. Jack befriends the boys and introduces them to the hoboing life.

The boys have many adventures before they reach NYC and their friends Sam's house. They encounter a whorehouse, rich people unaffected by the Depression and the kindness of many strangers.

When they reach NYC Homer has finally reached the place that holds all of his answers. Will he get them???

I have to say when I started Orphan, I almost didn't even finish it. But I had REQUESTED it, and the premise sounded so good. So I stuck through the first 50 or so pages where I wanted to smack the author and forged on. I am so glad I did. The book completely picks up as soon as the boys hit the rails and it doesn't disappoint anymore. I enjoyed the history that is thrown in and the young adults that this book is aimed at, will be none the wiser.

My problem with the first 50 pages, was the writing. It sounded soooo dumbed down and so simple. Yes the book is for a younger crowd, but it was just ridiculous. When they hit the rails, it is either less noticeable to me because of the action taking place or it indeed did pick up. Almost, like the author became more sure of himself. Regardless, if you are interested in hobos or the Depression era this would be an interesting read for you!

I received this book through the Traveling Arc Tours.

[Anastasia Tuckness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great adventure book that takes place in the 1930s about Homer, who discovers at age 13 that he came to his family in NW Iowa via an orphan train. Determined to discover his "real" parents, he cajoles his best friend Jamie into hopping a train (hobo style) for New York, where the orphanage is. Along the way they encounter many characters, both helpful and harmful, and learn lessons about the world and themselves.

The greatest strength of this book is the action and adventure against the historical backdrop--I think many teen guys would enjoy that aspect. The book does a great job of giving the flavor of life and times during the Depression and Prohibition, the life of hoboes, the contrast between rural life and city life and their technologies, and the disparity between the rich and the poor.

The greatest weakness is that the writing style and dialogue are somewhat stilted.


Another potential drawback is that the book is VERY honest about hard things that happen, including a near-rape, a speakeasy/brothel, beatings, pneumonia, etc. Nothing is dwelt upon but the subject matter is definitely there. Parents in families reading it together for the historical aspect will want to read ahead to be prepared to explain certain sections at the least and perhaps skip some sections with younger children.

I would definitely recommend this book to teen boys who enjoy adventure and history.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is the 1930's and on his 13th birthday Homer learns he was adopted. He and his best friend Jamie set out to find his "real" family in New York. They mode of travel is to hop aboard a train and travel like the hobo's. They quickly learn how dangerous this can be. They are taken under the Wing of Smiling Jack, a hobo and taught all about the code and culture of the hobo. In my opinion, although I was not born during that time this was a very accurate depiction of the 1930's. I believe this will be a great addition to my library at school and a book I will definitely promote. However, having said this I believe that parents should be warned there is some violence and references to sexual content so I would not give it to an upper elementary kid.

[Jamie]

This was a fun YA to read so quickly after the quintessential hobo memoir by Jack Black I'd just finished for my book club. I definitely think the author had gotten his research down.

First the positives, like Homer, Weber is a born storyteller. The plot is fast paced and I care about the characters. (Is there a sequel coming? Are we SUPPOSED to think Smilin' Jack is Homer's father?)

That said, he commits my cardinal sin of historical fiction, in having the characters become mouthpieces to the research. There's way too much explanatory dialogue, which might not but a young reader but bugs me!

[Sarah Tilatitsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a really sad, heartwarming book. Although it's mostly sad, bacause of the depression, people are happy when you tell them tales or play the harmonica. This book is about a boy that found out that he was adopted. He then runs away with his best friend to New York City, to find his parents, or find out who and why they adopted him. Read it, because this book is so hard to explain about its goodness.

[Martha Schwalbe · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm on 116 and am having trouble sticking with the book. I started it on Thursday and can't seem to get into the story. I think the writing is redundant, kind of reminds me of League of Freaks without the accent.
Someone else please read it and let me know what you think. I read a book about the orphan train a few months ago and loved it so I really expected to enjoy this one.

[Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although at times a stretch, I loved the search for self and family within the setting of the depression. The naivety of the boys was appropriate for the time and place. The characters were not as well developed as they could have been.