In the Bookcase

5/28/2010

Book Review: The Orphans' Journey series

The Orphans' Journey
The Orphans' Journey series

written by Arleta Richardson

each book approximately 140 pages

my recommendation for ages 9-14+


"The Orphans' Journey" is one story told in 4 sequential books.
The setting of the books is in the late 1800's, where you meet the Cooper family of 9 siblings, who have no parents. There are too many children to take care of, so 4 of them are sent away to Briarlane Christian Children's Home. This story centers on those 4 kids: Ethan, Alice, Simon, and Will.

Ethan, being the oldest of the four being sent to the orphanage, feels he must be the one to keep his family together. Things get a little crazy & out of hand, as the train is coming to pick up orphans to take them across the country. To add to all the chaos, more challenges are created when bullies appear at the orphanage, and also when the siblings are threatened by being adopted into separate families.

In the Cooper's adventures, they encounter Indians, a dust storm, and meet up with a horrifying bandit. It takes a lot of courage for Ethan to keep track of his other 3 siblings, plus his new friends at the orphanage. He wants to stay with everyone he loves, but decisions have to be made. He finds that looking to God will help him sort his troubles.

In this series, where one book leaves off, the next book continues. It is like reading one big story, divided into 4 books (each of which are approximately 140 pages).
Also, you might recognize the Christian author, Arleta Richardson, writer of the "Grandma's Attic" series.

This was a wonderful series of books. I learned a lot about orphan trains, and other things going on in that time period, etc. I think a lot of kids would definitely enjoy reading these books.

Book One: Looking for Home
Book Two: Whistle-stop West
Book Three: Prairie Homestead
Book Four: Across the Border


Monthly Book Reviews Challenge

I'm participating in the Monthly Book Reviews Challenge. Please stop by Hannah's Hangout for more info, and to see all the other great book reviews for this month!



7 comments:

  1. Anonymous5/28/2010

    Sounds really great! Arleta Richardson is a great author, I love her Grandma's Attic Novels! :) Have a great weekend, Tarissa!

    Hannah (IrishGirl)

    P.S. BLOGSPOT?!?!

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  2. Tarissa-

    Sounds like an awesome series, Tarissa! That's so cool that it's Chrstian as well.

    I take it homeschool-blogger isn't back up yet? Are you switching permanently, then?

    Thanks for joining! If you'd like to enter the giveaway as well, please leave a comment on my blog!

    Blessings!

    Hannah

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  3. Great! Now your on blogspot too. Do you like it better?

    -Hannah

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  4. Nice review, those sound pretty good. I liked the Grandma's Attic books.
    Thanks for following my blog!

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  5. These sound great! I loved the Little House books, which sound like they're in the same historical era. Happy reading!

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  6. Those sound really interesting! I love stories about orphans living on their own!

    Izzy (or the animals of Animal Central)

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  7. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and following.. I am following you back :) I loved hearing that you enjoyed homeschooling. My girls really enjoy it too... well sometimes LOL Congrats on graduating this year! Have a great week!

    http://julia-livelovelaugh.blogspot.com/

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