Welcome to some bookish fun today as we share Book Beginnings, hosted by Rose City Reader; and as we showcase The Friday 56 with Freda’s Voice.
To join in, just grab a book and share the opening lines…along with any thoughts you wish to give us; then turn to page 56 and excerpt anything on the page.
Then give us the title of the book, so others can add it to their lists!
If you have been wanting to participate, but haven’t yet tried, now is the time!
What better way to spend a Friday?
Let’s gather around and chat about books.
Today I’m eagerly sharing a book from next week’s pile. Orphan Train, by Christina Baker Kline, is a story about friendship and second chances.
Beginning: Spruce Harbor, Maine, 2011
Through her bedroom wall Molly can hear her foster parents talking about her in the living room, just beyond her door. “This is not what we signed up for,” Dina is saying. “If I’d known she had this many problems, I never would’ve agreed to it.”
This takes me back to my days in social work, when foster parents threw in the towel over a kid who was challenging.
***
56: The Milwaukee Train, 1929
I sleep badly the last night on the train. Carmine is up several times in the night, irritable and fidgety, and though I try to soothe him, he cries fitfully for a long time, disturbing the children around us.
***
Amazon Description: Orphan Train is a gripping story of friendship and second chances from Christina Baker Kline, author of Bird in Hand and The Way Life Should Be.
Penobscot Indian Molly Ayer is close to “aging out” out of the foster care system. A community service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping Molly out of juvie and worse…
As she helps Vivian sort through her possessions and memories, Molly learns that she and Vivian aren’t as different as they seem to be. A young Irish immigrant orphaned in New York City, Vivian was put on a train to the Midwest with hundreds of other children whose destinies would be determined by luck and chance.
Molly discovers that she has the power to help Vivian find answers to mysteries that have haunted her for her entire life – answers that will ultimately free them both.
Rich in detail and epic in scope, Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline is a powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of unexpected friendship, and of the secrets we carry that keep us from finding out who we are.
***
I can’t wait to read this one! And now I’m off to see what books to add to my list!
SNOW SPARKS 
this sounds really good Laurel=Rain! love both the beginning and the 56! thank you and have a great weekend! 🙂
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Thanks, Aobibliophile…I’m glad you could stop by and share your thoughts. Enjoy your read!
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This sounds sad. One of my best friends is a social worker. Sometime she tells me things…and a lot of kids are in some unfortunate situations.
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Yes, Amber, social work is the kind of career you can’t really leave behind when you go home….and here I am still reading books about these issues. But, alas, I seem compelled to do so! Thanks for visiting.
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It’s way to easy to give up on kids nowadays. Stick with it and maybe they stand a chance. I know, I have an 17 yr old who is trying at times, but doesn’t stand a chance without moms’ foot in his behind. If I gave up on him, his life would turn into a life of crime and crap.
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Definitely, Freda….I think that’s what kids need, too…someone to stick with them. Thanks for stopping by.
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Every time I read one of your posts, I add another book to my TBR pile! I’ve always been fascinated by the orphan trains, so I know I’d love this book. Thank you for posting excerpts from it.
Today I’m featuring LOVE AND SLEEPLESS NIGHTS on my blog.
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I think it sounds wonderful, too, Sandra. I read another book awhile ago that had the orphan trains as part of the story. I’m still trying to remember which book it was, though…lol
Thanks for stopping by.
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Should you be adding any more? What would happen if we did not add a single book for 30 days? Lol..could we really do it?
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When I make that vow, something shows up on a blog or on Vine, and I’m sunk….lol
Thanks for visiting, Patty.
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I really want to read this book…your excerpts make me want to read it even more.
THANK YOU.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Book Beginnings
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I couldn’t resist this one, Elizabeth…it called to me. Thanks for stopping by.
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It seems to be a choice and perhaps an easy one to just give up or give in. Nobody said it was going to be easy to be a parent and yet are society is flooded with hurting abandoned people. Whatever happened to commitment and trust through the challenges?! This one sounds real good, Laurel.
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Very good questions to ponder, Lady D. Thanks for visiting…and I hope the book will be as captivating as I think.
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This sounds like it could be an emotional rollercoaster!
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Definitely, Brona…thanks for visiting…enjoy your weekend.
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That beginning…what an awful thing for a child to have to hear. An emotional read, for sure. Here’s my Friday Post.
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Oh, I know, Bev….I used to have to move kids between foster homes (as a social worker) and the kids would have such stories to tell. And sometimes their bags were large trash bags instead of suitcases.
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This sounds really good. Have a great weekend!
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Thanks, Yvonne…I’m looking forward to it! Glad you could stop by, and have a great weekend.
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