"Train to Somewhere" Reflection

Train to Somewhere 

Bunting, E. (1996). Train to Somewhere. New York: Clarion Books.

Genre: picture books, historical fiction

Train to Somewhere is a picture book unlike any other. This sad story begins with the main character Marianne and thirteen other orphan children boarding a train in hopes of finding a new family. Marianne is an older child who believes her mother will be waiting for her in one of the towns the train stops in. The chronological plot goes on as many of the younger, cuter, stronger, or funnier children get chosen by families looking to adopt. Bunting uses flashback to show the day when Marianne was dropped off at the orphanage by her mother.  She tells her she is moving west to make a better life for them and that she will come back before Christmas. Marianne states that it has been many Christmases since that day, and her mother has never come back for her. She still has hope that she will be waiting for her at one of the train stops. 

This is a very somber, touching story that reminds me how much adversity many children are put through, even today. However, this could be a wonderful learning experience and empathy lesson for children eight or older. Unfortunately, I have children in my class whom could relate to that feeling of having a parent leave and tell them they will come back soon, to never see them again, or see them very rarely. For those who cannot relate, this story would give them a chance to try and put themselves in someone else's shoes and think about what it would feel like to not have a home where you belong. 

I believe this would be a good story for intermediate (3-6) grades, as it is too mature for primary. There are many discussion questions that could be formed from this story:

1. Describe how Marianne was feeling at the beginning of the story. How do you think she felt about herself? What was her self-image like?

2. Train to Somewhere takes places in the mid 1850s, what details from the story show you this?

3. Imagine you were riding on this train. What would you be thinking? How would you feel as other children were getting chosen by families and you were not?