Post by gardenmoma on Nov 9, 2006 22:00:17 GMT -7
After several of us finished reading Jadwiga's Crossing, I asked if anyone knew if there were any more books of this sort written.
Nancy responded that "No, she thought Jadwiga's Crossing was the only one of this kind."
Recently, I found and read Rodzina a book for young people (grades 4 through 7) by Karen Cushman. It tells about twelve-year-old Rodzina Clara Jadwiga Anastazya Brodski and her journey from Chicago across the United States on an orphan train in 1881.
Cushman very skillfully weaves together two stories. The first part is that of the orphan train movement from 1850 to 1929 in which nearly 250,000 poor urban children from American slums of the east and midwest were sent westward to be adopted or employed.
And the second part is about Polish Rodzina who is ophaned by the death of both parents and her siblings. She is overlarge for her age, unpretty and standoffish...but the younger children on the train flock to her (much to her dismay) for protection, warmth and a sense of belonging. Rodzina not only is a keen observer of her surroundings, but has a direct way of asking questions, and a lively sense of imagination which she uses to concoct stories that mesmerize the younger children.
She incorporates memories of her parents (to whom she often "talks") and Poland into her stories. it is through the memories and stories that we can glimpse a look at what it must been like for immigrant (Polish) children. Rodzina also believes she doesn't need to be adopted; she can take care of herself! The book's ending is a surprise!
Cushman named her character Rodzina from the inscription on the gravestone she visited as a child with her grandmother. In checking with her father to make sure the spelling was accurate, she found Rodzina really meant family. She kept the name for her character anyway.
Cushman also provides a bibliography of books about the orphan trains, as well as a Polish pronunciation guide.
This is an exceptionally good book - even as an adult you'll probably enjoy it
GM
Nancy responded that "No, she thought Jadwiga's Crossing was the only one of this kind."
Recently, I found and read Rodzina a book for young people (grades 4 through 7) by Karen Cushman. It tells about twelve-year-old Rodzina Clara Jadwiga Anastazya Brodski and her journey from Chicago across the United States on an orphan train in 1881.
Cushman very skillfully weaves together two stories. The first part is that of the orphan train movement from 1850 to 1929 in which nearly 250,000 poor urban children from American slums of the east and midwest were sent westward to be adopted or employed.
It was thought that hard work in the clean air of the west would offer children a better chance to live happy and productive lives.
And the second part is about Polish Rodzina who is ophaned by the death of both parents and her siblings. She is overlarge for her age, unpretty and standoffish...but the younger children on the train flock to her (much to her dismay) for protection, warmth and a sense of belonging. Rodzina not only is a keen observer of her surroundings, but has a direct way of asking questions, and a lively sense of imagination which she uses to concoct stories that mesmerize the younger children.
She incorporates memories of her parents (to whom she often "talks") and Poland into her stories. it is through the memories and stories that we can glimpse a look at what it must been like for immigrant (Polish) children. Rodzina also believes she doesn't need to be adopted; she can take care of herself! The book's ending is a surprise!
Cushman named her character Rodzina from the inscription on the gravestone she visited as a child with her grandmother. In checking with her father to make sure the spelling was accurate, she found Rodzina really meant family. She kept the name for her character anyway.
Cushman also provides a bibliography of books about the orphan trains, as well as a Polish pronunciation guide.
This is an exceptionally good book - even as an adult you'll probably enjoy it
GM
