Kids' Books We Love
Book reviews from Youth Services

Rodzina

  Cushman, Karen

---

Publisher: Clarion Books
Number of Pages: 215
Check the availability of this title at Skokie Public Library
More information about this title.

Find audio versions of this title

Genres:

Historical fiction

Material Type/Location:

Youth Fiction

Reading Level:

2-3
4-5
6-8

Awards:

Voice of Youth Award Nominee

Why I liked this title:

It is 1881, and twelve-year-old Rodzina's parents and brothers have died, forcing her to fend for herself on the streets of Chicago. Alone, sad and angry, she finds herself, along with many other children, on an "orphan train." Trains like this really did exist in the late 1800's. They traveled West with the purpose of finding families who would adopt the thousands of city children they carried. Rodzina longs for her parents and her home, but living on the street has made her a survivor. She narrowly escapes slavery and forced marriage, protects other children, and eventually finds a family of her own. This book is about a tough, smart girl who makes her own good luck. If you like historical fiction and a great story, you will love Rodzina.

Reviewed by: Mary Michell on 1/29/2004

Similar Authors:

Joan Lowery Nixon
Avi