Orphan Train

Part 1

Reading Check

1. Jane Eyre (Pages 3-10)

2. Vivian’s home, cleaning out her attic (Pages 3-10)

3. Kinvara, County Galway, Ireland (Pages 19-24)

4. Nine (Pages 25-32)

Short Answer

1. Both Molly and Vivian have been in the foster care system, starting around the same age: eight-and-a-half and nine. They have both experienced trauma. Also, both speak the truth. (Pages 11-18)

2. Niamh’s neighbors, the Schatzmans, take her to the Children’s Aid Society after her family dies in a fire. They say there is no one else to care for her. (Pages 25-32)

3. The three children are on the orphan train, under the direction of the Children Aid Society. One of the leaders gives Niamh a baby, Carmine, to care for. Later, when Dutchy gets in trouble, the leaders move him to sit with Niamh and Carmine. (Pages 25-38)

Part 2

Reading Check

1. Molly would like to throw out most of the items in the attic. In fact, she makes comments about this to Vivian, but Vivian will not part with much. (Pages 51-56)

2. Dutchy wants himself and Niamh to promise to find each other after they are separated through the process on the orphan train. Niamh does not think it is possible. (Pages 57-60)

Short Answer

1. Molly is vegetarian, even trying to cook vegetarian meals for her foster parents. Her foster mother complains about these vegetarian meals and the cost and continues to insist on meat at every meal, illustrating how little she cares about Molly. (Pages 47-50)

2. When she sees her belongings, Vivian tells stories of her life. The possessions seem to bring back memories for her, almost bringing the past to life. She wants to touch each item and keep it. (Pages 51-56)

3. At the orphan train’s stop in Minneapolis, a couple takes Carmine, another couple looking for help on their farm takes Dutchy, and no family takes Niamh. (Pages 61-68)

Part 3

Reading Check

1. Her copy of Anne of Green Gables (Pages 83-88)

2. With the Grote family (Pages 105-126)

Short Answer

1. The Byrnes take Niamh to help with the sewing business. They prove they do not really care about her. They make her use an outdoor bathroom and barely feed her. They only begrudgingly buy her clothes and keep her from school. (Pages 69-82)

2. Molly now enjoys working with Vivian, going there even when she’s not scheduled. She is also getting invested in Vivian’s stories. Vivian is glad to see Molly. Both of them are less guarded than in the beginning. (Pages 83-94)

3. The Grotes live in a messy home with no doorknob on the door. Mrs. Grotes does not seem to be aware of why Dorothy is there. The children are uncared for, without enough clothes. (Pages 113-118)

Part 4

Reading Check

1. Penobscot (Pages 131-136)

2. To school (Pages 153-160)

Short Answer

1. Molly’s class studies the Wabanaki Indians, who carried all their belongings with them. Portaging was carrying their canoes and belongings across land between two bodies of water. (Pages 131-136)

2. Miss Larsen is kind to Dorothy. She remembers her birthday. Miss Larsen also listens to Dorothy when she shows up at school after being assaulted, takes her home with her, and cares for her as best she can in a boarding house. (Pages 139-168)

3. Dorothy views Mrs. Murphy’s home as wonderful and safe. She is cared for, has enough food, and is welcomed. She worries about having to leave. (Pages 161-168)

Part 5

Reading Check

1. She is Penobscot Indian. (Pages 169-174)

2. The Nielsens (Pages 185-200)

3. The Nielsens ask her to take the name Vivian, which belonged to their daughter who died. (Pages 191-200)

Short Answer

1. Neither has shared much of their past with others. Vivian is starting to as she goes through her belongings. Molly is starting to share as well. (Pages 169-174)

2. Jack helped Molly get her job at Vivian’s house, which puts his mother’s job there at risk if Molly causes any trouble. Though Molly is really becoming friends with Vivian, Jack sees the belongings in the attic remaining instead of being thrown out and worries Molly is taking advantage of Vivian. (Pages 169-174)

3. Vivian’s little sister Maisie survived the fire, though Vivian was told she died. Maisie was adopted by the Schatzmans. She had a large family and died at 83. (Pages 175-178)

Part 6

Reading Check

1. To Vivian’s (Pages 207-212)

2. The Wizard of Oz (Pages 221-228)

3. Piano player (Pages 229-236)

Short Answer

1. Vivian has ideas for how to organize the store and what items to sell. This helps the business grow. She works many hours at the store. (Pages 201-206)

2. They talk all night, fall in love, and soon get married. Experiencing the orphan train together has bonded them for life. (Pages 221-236)

Part 7

Reading Check

1. In World War II (Pages 245-248)

2. At Vivian’s (Pages 253-260)

3. She finds her birth daughter, Carmine, and other riders of the orphan train. (Pages 261-266)

4. Her birth daughter, her husband, and their grandchild (Pages 267-273)

Short Answer

1. Vivian is organized and gets things done well and quickly. Dutchy dreams more and does not always follow through. (Pages 237-244)

2. Molly has started to excel in school and stopped keeping everyone out. She is nominated for an award for her project based on Vivian. Her shifts open up new opportunities for her moving forward. (Pages 261-266)

3. Vivian has a rich community of people she can be open with now, people who want to help her and know more about her past. As she starts to trip on the stairs, everyone tries to help. Opening up about her past has brought friendship and family to her doorstep. (Pages 267-253)