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What do you think will be the most appealing aspect of this book to the general public?

I think the story itself is interesting enough to pull the public in. At least that's how I get pulled in to books. If the story line is good enough I'd be willing to read almost anything.

The most appealing part is the beginning when the subject of the orphan trains was explained. This really drew me into the story since it was a part of history I knew nothing about. It was amazing to me that young children were put on trains and given to strangers to be used as slave labor in most cases.

I loved mostly how the two main character's lives were woven together in the story. The modern day girl with her modern day problems and yesterday's child with all her hardships – both coming together in a healing and loving way. You can't get much better than that.

DennisK wrote:I loved mostly how the two main character's lives were woven together in the story. The modern day girl with her modern day problems and yesterday's child with all her hardships – both coming together in a healing and loving way. You can't get much better than that.

Ditto!

bookowlie wrote:The most appealing part is the beginning when the subject of the orphan trains was explained. This really drew me into the story since it was a part of history I knew nothing about. It was amazing to me that young children were put on trains and given to strangers to be used as slave labor in most cases.

I agree! The Orphan Train aspect is what drew me into this story. I was so ignorant about this topic before, and now I have learned, at least, a fraction of what these children had to endure.

hsimone wrote:

bookowlie wrote:The most appealing part is the beginning when the subject of the orphan trains was explained. This really drew me into the story since it was a part of history I knew nothing about. It was amazing to me that young children were put on trains and given to strangers to be used as slave labor in most cases.

I agree! The Orphan Train aspect is what drew me into this story. I was so ignorant about this topic before, and now I have learned, at least, a fraction of what these children had to endure.

It just shows how desperate things can get. I remember attending an open air story teller's convention where one lecturer was a person who told of his family's history. His father was on the orphan train, and he and his brother were separated because a foster parent wanted only one boy. The lecturer's father was left on the train, to be chosen further down the line. He spent his life looking for his brother. If I remember correctly, he never found him. History shows us things can get a lot worse - something we all should keep in mind.

DennisK wrote:

hsimone wrote:

bookowlie wrote:The most appealing part is the beginning when the subject of the orphan trains was explained. This really drew me into the story since it was a part of history I knew nothing about. It was amazing to me that young children were put on trains and given to strangers to be used as slave labor in most cases.

I agree! The Orphan Train aspect is what drew me into this story. I was so ignorant about this topic before, and now I have learned, at least, a fraction of what these children had to endure.

It just shows how desperate things can get. I remember attending an open air story teller's convention where one lecturer was a person who told of his family's history. His father was on the orphan train, and he and his brother were separated because a foster parent wanted only one boy. The lecturer's father was left on the train, to be chosen further down the line. He spent his life looking for his brother. If I remember correctly, he never found him. History shows us things can get a lot worse - something we all should keep in mind.

Thank you for sharing that story. Wow. It amazes me how fortunate many of us are. You are completely right - "History shows us things can get a lot worse - something we all should keep in mind."

Just like all the others, I too absolutely loved the beginning of the story. The whole concept of Orphan Trains was really new and fascinating to me. It made me realize that there's so much more in the world that we don't know about. Actually, that's the thing I llove about books, they show you a side on this world which is untouched, unexplored.

DennisK wrote:
I loved mostly how the two main character's lives were woven together in the story. The modern day girl with her modern day problems and yesterday's child with all her hardships – both coming together in a healing and loving way. You can't get much better than that.

I agree with you - it makes a beautiful story!

I think something very appealing about this book is the fact that it explores a topic that many people are not educated about. Rather than simply being taught about it however, readers get to experience it through the narrative almost as if they had the experience themselves.

I just wanted you guys to know the first time I heard of this book I shied away from it. Once I read all the comments it made me interested to read it. My mom even said the same thing that she shied away from it but now I have her interested as well. So thank you for all the comments. I am looking forward to a good book.

I feel like the writing would be very engaging, especially since the story is addressing a topic that is not very well-known. The story's themes were very powerful as well, and I feel like they would definitely appeal to people who wanted to know more about history, but in a powerful narrative style that would feel like people were living the story and not just reading about it.

bookowlie wrote:The most appealing part is the beginning when the subject of the orphan trains was explained. This really drew me into the story since it was a part of history I knew nothing about. It was amazing to me that young children were put on trains and given to strangers to be used as slave labor in most cases.

I agree!
I had known a little about this topic; it was referenced in a book I read a while back called Austerlitz. But that was the first I had read of these orphan trains.

I love historical fictions; I always have. What I like the most about this specific kind of novel is that it often reveals some part of history that is never taught. I honestly had no idea that children were shipped off in this way. While I'm sure the children's aid society had good intentions when they started this program, I can't help but see massive flaws in the plan. I think knowing that this story isn't too far from the truth in many cases is what appeals to people.