Orphan Train, Book Club and Pizza

“Have you read the Book? Book Club” April’s selection was the Orphan Train

written by, Christina Baker Kline.

Katy was our hostess and we were greeted with the distinct aroma of pizza and a hint of freshly baked goods.

Tomatoes, Grilled Chicken & Red Onions

Pizza is Katy’s signature dish for our gatherings and this time around she used crescent rolls for the crust, topped with olive oil, garlic, basil, mozzarella cheese and fresh tomatoes.  A salad of field greens with feta cheese, sliced apples and pecans, dressed with balsamic dressing completed the meal and was delicious!

Here’s a recipe I found for Cheesy Margherita Pizza and here are several of my pizza recipes:

Pizza with Ground Chicken, Mushrooms, Spinach andTomatoes
Pesto Pizza

After filling our plates and catching up we eventually got around to discussing the book as Katy tempted us with a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies and brownies; of course everyone savored the sweets, yum need I say more.

We all agreed that the book hooked us from the first page, pulling us into a world many of us could never imagine. Personally I could not resist curling up on a Saturday afternoon to read the book and I did not move until I turned the last page.

It is one of those books where we were all reluctant to leave Molly and Vivian’s world. And it is always such a thrill to stumble across a book like the Orphan Train.

The Orphan Train is about a journey which for Vivian who is one of the main characters originates on the shores of Galway Ireland, which is truly a beautiful and thriving village by the sea. From Ellis Island to NYC where disaster befalls Vivian’s family, her world falls apart and she is forced to board the orphan train  heading to the Midwest and finally as an adult retiring in Maine. With what seemed like cool detachment the representatives from the “Children’s Aid Society” who organizes the Orphan train chaperone the children on their journey. It’s difficult to believe that people thought it was in the children’s best interest to send them to an environment they were not prepared for. The Orphan Trains were a real part of our past in the United States and many of us at book club were not familiar the history. Christina Baker Kline has a passion for history and a way of writing about real life events that is a joy to read. 

Sometimes we come across a passage or quote that stays with us; here is my favorite passage from the book which is written in the epigraph:  “In portaging from one river to another, Wabanakis had to carry their canoes and all other possessions. Everyone knew the value of traveling light and understood that it required leaving some things behind. Nothing encumbered movement more than fear, which was often the most difficult burden to surrender.”  This is from the nonfiction book “Women of the Dawn” by Bunny McBride which is about four Wabanaki Indians.
In the book Vivian and Molly face their fears and the concept of portaging relates to not only what possessions they carry from home to home, but their fears as well.
Anyone who enjoys a good telling of a story will be riveted by this wonderful tale.

 As always the discussion was lively filled with lots of laughs and opinions. We all commented on how a teacher in the story had an influence on Vivian and we discussed how a teacher influenced each of our lives. Sometimes all you need is for someone to see you, really see you and your potential.

If your curious and have a desire to learn more about the Orphan Trains click on this link Christina Baker Kline . The Orphan Train is a fascinating story and disturbing part of our history, beautifully written by Christina. So board the Orphan Train and enjoy the ride!

This book truly rates 5 glasses of a nice Merlot or for you white wine fans a crisp Pinot Grigio. Thanks Lea for the wine recommendations and we miss you girl, please join us again soon!

And Katy, finally I made it to your home; last year was the passport emergency and before that who can remember…Beautiful home, family and you are a wonderful hostess!

Just cook something! Cheers! Kary~

For a list of all our books click here“Have you read the Book? Book Club”.