Book Review: Orphan Train Children: David's Search

by Pam Connell | More from this Blogger

10 Jul 2007 03:34 PM

Another in a series by Joan Lowery Nixon depicting fictional children who rode the orphan trains in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, David's Search tells the story of an eleven-year-old who lives on the streets of New York. His older chum who looks after him tells him to go to the Children's Aid Society, where he will be sent to a farm, fed three meals a day, and maybe even have real parents. David can just barely remember the parents who died when he was very young, and he dreams of having a mother again.

In 1965 Missouri, the orphans are put on a platform for the townspeople to scrutinize. The Bauers take David home.

Unfortunately, the Bauers are stern people who seem primarily interested in having David work on their farm. But they do keep their promise to feed David and send him to school. Nixon does a good job of giving subtle hints to the Bauers' character, showing by certain remarks and looks that they are rather lonely and desire to be liked by this boy, but are determined to be "firm" and not be taken advantage of.

David is befriended by the African-American farm hand who works for the Bauers. He soon becomes aware, however, that his friend is being targeted by the newly-formed Ku Klux Klan. David is surprised to learn that the Bauers firmness extends to their principles, as they refuse to knuckle under to the Klan or let the Klan tell them who to hire or who to have for dinner. The Bauers also gain respect for David and his efforts to warn and help his friends. While it is hard to imagine them turning into the warm parents of David's barely remembered dreams, we get the sense that this family is learning to appreciate each other.

The appendices to the book contain not only information about the real orphan trains, but also about civil rights and the struggles of African-Americans in the past.

Please see these related blogs:

The Story of the Orphan Trains

Book Review: The Orphan Train Children Series

Orphan Train Children: Will's Choice

Learn more about Pam Connell

Pam Connell is a mother of three by both birth and adoption. She has worked in education, child care, social services, ministry and journalism.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger