What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

This is a children's book about the orphan trains. The main character is a girl who I'm pretty sure is an immigrant, but I'm not sure from where. Her family dies of something and is left all alone in... Chicago? I think it might be Chicago. Also, I think she might have/had a little brother, though I don't know if he died or not.

Um, I don't remember the girl's name, but she's big for her age and tough, I think she has red hair, too.

They take all the kids west to find them homes, mostly with farmers to work. I think they stop a bunch of times before anyone offers to take the girl, it's a farmer. I'm a bit confused about this part. I think he might have taken her and another girl, too, but it might have just been her. It turns out that he needs a new wife to take care of all his kids. I'm not sure how, but the main character either gets back to where all the other orphans are staying or tells the woman in charge of the orphans somehow, but she ends up being taken out of that home.

Eventually they go through all the stops and no one take the girl. But she ends up being taken home with the woman who was in charge of all the orphans and they're very happy together.

I hope that's enough information for someone to help me figure out what book this is! Thank you in advance for anyone who has any suggestions!

That sounds like Rodzina by Karen Cushman.

In 1881, 12-year-old Rodzina Clara Jadwiga Anastazya Brodski wishes she didn’t have to board the orphan train in Chicago. But she has no home, no family, and no choice. Rodzina doesn’t believe the orphans are on their way out West to be adopted by good families. She’s sure they will become slaves to strangers. Anyway, who would ever adopt a large, tough, stubborn girl of Polish origin? As the train heads west, all Rodzina has is a small suitcase and her family memories from the past. Will Rodzina ever step off the train to find the family that deep in her heart she’s searching for?

Grace, when I read your description, I thought, "Oh, I've read that book." And Jackie's suggestion of Rodzina sounds like exactly what you're looking for. But although I'm familiar with Rodzina, I haven't read it! The book I was thinking of is a picture book with a very similar storyline called Train to Somewhere by Eve Bunting. Apparently there are quite a few books about the orphan trains - which I wasn't aware of until trying to figure out which book I HAD read about the orphan train. Several authors, such as Joan Lowery Nixon and Linda Lael Miller have done whole series on them. Anyway, just thought it was interesting.

Yeah. It's definitely Rodzina! Thanks so much.

Luann, I had the exact same problem. I tried looking up books by putting in Orphan train and of course pages and pages of books came up.

Grace, Ok, thanks for letting us know, and thanks everybody for figuring it out. I knew there were a lot of books but had no idea at all which one it might be.

I'll change the topic heading and folder.

Rodzina for the trackable link.