Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who were the chaperones for Niamh's train ride?
Who were the chaperones for Niamh's train ride?
Mrs. Scatcherd and Mr. Curran
What occupation do Mr. and Mrs. Byrne have?
What occupation do Mr. and Mrs. Byrne have?
They are women's clothiers
What was Carmine's distinguishing feature?
What was Carmine's distinguishing feature?
He was cross-eyed
When Dorothy fled her foster home, where did she go?
When Dorothy fled her foster home, where did she go?
With what symbol does Molly identify?
With what symbol does Molly identify?
What were the names of Vivian's twin brothers?
What were the names of Vivian's twin brothers?
What nationality was Hans?
What nationality was Hans?
Which ship did Vivian and her family travel to Ellis Island on?
Which ship did Vivian and her family travel to Ellis Island on?
In Orphan Train, where is Jack's mom from?
In Orphan Train, where is Jack's mom from?
In Orphan Train, when is Vivian's birthday?
In Orphan Train, when is Vivian's birthday?
In Orphan Train, when is Molly's birthday?
In Orphan Train, when is Molly's birthday?
In Orphan Train, where is Molly's turtle tattoo?
In Orphan Train, where is Molly's turtle tattoo?
Who are the Grotes' children?
Who are the Grotes' children?
What does Mr. Grote do to Vivian?
What does Mr. Grote do to Vivian?
Who drives the children to the schoolhouse in his truck when Vivian lived with the Grotes?
Who drives the children to the schoolhouse in his truck when Vivian lived with the Grotes?
Who does Vivian go to live with after leaving the Brynes' house?
Who does Vivian go to live with after leaving the Brynes' house?
What was Judy Garland's birth name, according to Vivian's friend?
What was Judy Garland's birth name, according to Vivian's friend?
At the beginning of the book, how old does Vivian say she is?
At the beginning of the book, how old does Vivian say she is?
What does Fanny give to Vivian as a Christmas gift in 1929?
What does Fanny give to Vivian as a Christmas gift in 1929?
How old is Vivian in 1939 when she goes to Minneapolis with friends?
How old is Vivian in 1939 when she goes to Minneapolis with friends?
In Orphan Train, who is the first seamstress that Mrs. Byrne lets go after the stock market crash?
In Orphan Train, who is the first seamstress that Mrs. Byrne lets go after the stock market crash?
Who is the representative from the Children's Aid Society that comes to take Vivian from the Brynes?
Who is the representative from the Children's Aid Society that comes to take Vivian from the Brynes?
What is the name of the boarding house where Miss Larsen lives in 1930?
What is the name of the boarding house where Miss Larsen lives in 1930?
Who is the driver that picks Miss Larsen and Vivian up after school to take them to the boarding house?
Who is the driver that picks Miss Larsen and Vivian up after school to take them to the boarding house?
Where is Vivian out with her friends in Minneapolis when she encounters Dutchy again in 1939?
Where is Vivian out with her friends in Minneapolis when she encounters Dutchy again in 1939?
In Orphan Train, where in Ireland does Mrs. Murphy say her family is from when she meets Vivian?
In Orphan Train, where in Ireland does Mrs. Murphy say her family is from when she meets Vivian?
Who is Molly's American History teacher?
Who is Molly's American History teacher?
What illness does Vivian contract after she arrives at the boarding house where Miss Larsen lives?
What illness does Vivian contract after she arrives at the boarding house where Miss Larsen lives?
What is the movie that Vivian sees at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis with friends in 1939?
What is the movie that Vivian sees at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis with friends in 1939?
How far does Vivian walk from the Grotes' home to the schoolhouse after she's been kicked out?
How far does Vivian walk from the Grotes' home to the schoolhouse after she's been kicked out?
In Orphan Train, how old does Vivian say she was when her biological parents died?
In Orphan Train, how old does Vivian say she was when her biological parents died?
How old does Vivian say she was when she lost her true love?
How old does Vivian say she was when she lost her true love?
Where does Vivian admit that her mother went after the fire when she first arrives at Miss Larsen's room at the boarding house?
Where does Vivian admit that her mother went after the fire when she first arrives at Miss Larsen's room at the boarding house?
How many rooms comprise Vivian's house?
How many rooms comprise Vivian's house?
In Orphan Train, what are the names of Vivian's friends that she goes to Minneapolis with in 1939?
In Orphan Train, what are the names of Vivian's friends that she goes to Minneapolis with in 1939?
In Orphan Train, where does Mrs. Grund work as a sales clerk?
In Orphan Train, where does Mrs. Grund work as a sales clerk?
Where had Vivian and her husband owned a department store before moving to the northeast?
Where had Vivian and her husband owned a department store before moving to the northeast?
What is Mrs. Grote's first name?
What is Mrs. Grote's first name?
Where did Niamh sleep when the Brynes took her in?
Where did Niamh sleep when the Brynes took her in?
What position did Vivian have at the Nielson's store?
What position did Vivian have at the Nielson's store?
Where was Dutchy killed?
Where was Dutchy killed?
In Orphan Train, how old was Vivian's sister when she died?
In Orphan Train, how old was Vivian's sister when she died?
How is Becca similar to Vivian?
How is Becca similar to Vivian?
Who was Niamh's cross necklace a gift from?
Who was Niamh's cross necklace a gift from?
What does the fish charm on Molly's necklace do?
What does the fish charm on Molly's necklace do?
What does the bear charm on Molly's necklace do?
What does the bear charm on Molly's necklace do?
In Orphan Train, what does the raven charm on Molly's necklace do?
In Orphan Train, what does the raven charm on Molly's necklace do?
In Orphan Train, how did Molly's father die?
In Orphan Train, how did Molly's father die?
Of what descent was Molly?
Of what descent was Molly?
How many hours of community service does she have to perform?
How many hours of community service does she have to perform?
Where does Vivian come from New York through?
Where does Vivian come from New York through?
What are Vivian's names before it became Vivian?
What are Vivian's names before it became Vivian?
In Orphan Train, what family does Vivian go to first?
In Orphan Train, what family does Vivian go to first?
Why does Vivian have to leave the Byrne's home?
Why does Vivian have to leave the Byrne's home?
Whose home does she go to after leaving the Byrne's?
Whose home does she go to after leaving the Byrne's?
What is one of Vivian's favorite books?
What is one of Vivian's favorite books?
Who is Vivian's teacher?
Who is Vivian's teacher?
Whose home does Mrs. Larsen take Vivian to?
Whose home does Mrs. Larsen take Vivian to?
Who finally adopts her?
Who finally adopts her?
How did Vivian acquire the name Vivian?
How did Vivian acquire the name Vivian?
What did Vivian look like when she was young?
What did Vivian look like when she was young?
How old is Vivian when her parents die?
How old is Vivian when her parents die?
How old is Molly when her dad died?
How old is Molly when her dad died?
What 21st century year did the Molly perspective take place?
What 21st century year did the Molly perspective take place?
What does Vivian name her daughter?
What does Vivian name her daughter?
In Orphan Train, what did Vivian's daughter's adopted parents name her?
In Orphan Train, what did Vivian's daughter's adopted parents name her?
In Orphan Train, what is Sarah's daughter's name?
In Orphan Train, what is Sarah's daughter's name?
Who did Vivian go out with the day she saw Dutchy again?
Who did Vivian go out with the day she saw Dutchy again?
What was Dutchy doing?
What was Dutchy doing?
What is Dutchy's real name?
What is Dutchy's real name?
How old was Molly when she got her tattoo?
How old was Molly when she got her tattoo?
Where does Vivian live when she comes to America?
Where does Vivian live when she comes to America?
How much did they pay for rent?
How much did they pay for rent?
What was the estimated amount of children who rode the trains?
What was the estimated amount of children who rode the trains?
Who does Vivian marry after Dutchy dies?
Who does Vivian marry after Dutchy dies?
What does Molly find out about her mother on the Internet?
What does Molly find out about her mother on the Internet?
Why is Molly's mom in jail?
Why is Molly's mom in jail?
In Orphan Train, what does Fanny give Dorothy for Christmas?
In Orphan Train, what does Fanny give Dorothy for Christmas?
What two names are embroidered on Molly's duffel bag?
What two names are embroidered on Molly's duffel bag?
Why does Vivian not want to leave for college?
Why does Vivian not want to leave for college?
What was Vivian's last name before she came to America?
What was Vivian's last name before she came to America?
How is Niamh's name mispronounced by Mrs. Byrne?
How is Niamh's name mispronounced by Mrs. Byrne?
In Orphan Train, who changes Niamh's name to Dorothy?
In Orphan Train, who changes Niamh's name to Dorothy?
Where and in what year is Niamh adopted by the Byrnes?
Where and in what year is Niamh adopted by the Byrnes?
What book does Vivian give to Molly?
What book does Vivian give to Molly?
According to Molly, why hasn't she looked for her mother?
According to Molly, why hasn't she looked for her mother?
What symbolic importance is the turtle tattoo for Molly?
What symbolic importance is the turtle tattoo for Molly?
In order for Terry to give Molly credit for community service, what must Molly do?
In order for Terry to give Molly credit for community service, what must Molly do?
Who is the greatest Irish hero, according to Mr. Byrne?
Who is the greatest Irish hero, according to Mr. Byrne?
At the Byrnes's, which of Dorothy's coworkers is unkind to her?
At the Byrnes's, which of Dorothy's coworkers is unkind to her?
What are the first words of Orphan Train?
What are the first words of Orphan Train?
In Orphan Train, what is Dina's job?
In Orphan Train, what is Dina's job?
Why does Molly copy down vocabulary words in a notebook, such as 'harridan, pusillanimous, and talisman'?
Why does Molly copy down vocabulary words in a notebook, such as 'harridan, pusillanimous, and talisman'?
Who gave the charm necklace to Molly?
Who gave the charm necklace to Molly?
Who are Molly's foster parents?
Who are Molly's foster parents?
In Orphan Train, who is Jack's mom who works for Vivian Daly?
In Orphan Train, who is Jack's mom who works for Vivian Daly?
What town was Niamh originally from in Ireland?
What town was Niamh originally from in Ireland?
What landmark did Niamh's family immigrate through?
What landmark did Niamh's family immigrate through?
In Orphan Train, what is the Irish symbol Niamh wears around her neck?
In Orphan Train, what is the Irish symbol Niamh wears around her neck?
How long do adoptive parents have to 'send a child back' after adopting them from the train?
How long do adoptive parents have to 'send a child back' after adopting them from the train?
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Study Notes
Characters and Relationships
- Niamh's train chaperones are Mrs. Scatcherd and Mr. Curran.
- Mr. and Mrs. Byrne work as women's clothiers.
- Vivian had twin brothers named Dominick and James; she later lives with the Grotes and is known as Dorothy during her time there.
- Molly, a central character, identifies with the turtle symbol, reflecting her personal journey and resilience.
- Dutchy, whose real name is Hans, is a close figure to Vivian, with whom she reconnects later.
Significant Events
- Dorothy fled her foster home to escape to the school.
- Vivian's birthday is in April, while Molly’s is in January.
- The stock market crash of 1929 impacts Vivian, forcing her to leave the Byrne’s home due to their loss of wealth.
- After being kicked out of the Grotes' home, Vivian walks four miles to school.
Cultural Context and Themes
- Vivian's family immigrated to America through Ellis Island on the ship Agnes Pauline.
- The story touches upon the historical backdrop of orphan trains, with an estimated 200,000 children riding them.
- Vivian’s various names (Niamh, Dorothy) signify her transformation throughout her life experiences.
- Molly reflects modern issues, highlighted by her mother's struggles with the law due to drug-related offenses.
Personal Traits and Experiences
- Vivian was characterized by red hair and brown/hazel eyes in her youth.
- Molly possesses a turtle tattoo on her hip, symbolizing strength and belonging, representing her desire for stability.
- After her parents died, Vivian was just 9 years old and later lost her true love at the age of 23.
Important Objects and Symbols
- Vivian receives gloves and mittens as a Christmas gift from Fanny in 1929, symbolizing warmth and care.
- The charms on Molly's necklace, including a fish, bear, and raven, serve protective and symbolic functions in her life.
- Vivian’s favorite book, “Anne of Green Gables,” connects her to a yearning for belonging and family.
Locations and Background
- Vivian's early life in Ireland was based in Kinvara, and she later lived on Elizabeth Street upon arriving in America.
- The boarding house where Miss Larsen lives is called Hemingford Home for Young Ladies, a setting that significantly shapes Vivian's experiences.
- Vivian has ties to Minnesota, where she previously owned a department store before moving to the northeast.
Conclusion of Major Themes
- The narrative explores themes of identity, belonging, and the impact of historical events on personal lives.
- Relationships reflect both familial and societal connections, demonstrating resilience amidst adversity.
- The intertwining lives of Vivian and Molly illustrate generational struggles and the search for identity.
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