The Accidental Orphan

Ellen, 11, becomes a stowaway aboard a steamship bound for Canada in 1885 an unwilling member of a band of orphans headed for new families on the Prairies.

In this exciting novel from BC Book Prize and Silver Birch nominee Constance Horne, eleven-year-old Ellen finds herself wrongly accused of stealing while selling flowers on the Liverpool docks. In her escape she becomes a stowaway aboard a steamship bound for Canada, an unwilling member of a band of orphans headed for new families on the Prairies. Adopted by the Aitkens, a family on a Manitoba homestead, she soon lands herself at the centre of a number of calamities, unexpectedly learning about rural life in the New World and the value of family ties, both those forged in blood and those forged in trust.

Eleven-year-old Barclay Thorne yearns for the quiet life of a mushroom farmer, but after unwittingly bonding with a beast in the forbidden Woods, he must seek Lore Keepers to break the bond and return home.

From Christina Baker Kline comes a novel about two women: one about to age out of the foster care system, the other 90 years old and carrying both a tremendous secret and a story of a life formed by a part of American history almost entirely forgotten: the Orphan Trains Molly Ayer has one last chance, and she knows it. Close to being kicked out of her foster home -- just months from turning 18 and “aging out” of the system -- Molly should be grateful that her boyfriend found her a community service project: helping an old lady clean out her home. Molly can’t help but think that the 50 hours will be tedious, but at least they’ll keep her out of juvie, and right now that’s all she cares about. Ninety-one-year-old Vivian Daly has lived a quiet life on the coast of Maine for decades. But in her attic, hidden in trunks, are keys to a turbulent past. Molly is about to discover -- as she and Vivian unpack her possessions, and memories -- that Vivian’s story is a piece of America’s tumultuous history now largely forgotten: the tale of a young Irish immigrant, orphaned in New York City and put on a train to the Midwest with hundreds of other orphaned children whose destiny would be determined by luck and chance. As Molly digs deeper, she finds surprising parallels in her own experience as a Penobscot Indian and Vivian’s story -- and Molly realizes that she has the power to help Vivian find answers to mysteries that have haunted her for her entire life. Rich in detail and epic in scope, THE TRAIN RIDER is a powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of second chances, of unexpected friendships, and of the secrets we carry with us that keep us from finding out who we are.

Document from the year 2015 in the subject Didactics - English - Literature, Works, University of Marburg, language: English, abstract: The manifold topics related to what is commonly known as the catchphrase ‘Duplessis orphans’ have shocked (and still do shock) many Canadians. Fact is that scientists of different research fields talk about a dark spot of contemporary Canadian history, which until today has left many questions unanswered. To tackle the subject of physical, mental and sexual abuse, along with students, at a German modern secondary school and to present the finding at university first seemed to be a difficult task to master. However, the present discussion of sexual abuse of children and teenagers in church-run institutions in Ireland or Germany hint at the importance of this matter. German students have already encountered this problem in connection with Australia, where ‘The Stolen Generation’ is a matter in form 9. In order to give an objective (but critical) reflection of this topic, an interdisciplinary approach seems advisable, since we regard a problem which originates in many different backgrounds. Students can thus use historical, sociological, religious and psychological information to better understand the practice of child abuse in the widest sense. The topic is also close to the students’ own life experience, and an in-depth analysis of the Canadian example enables them to work on a specific example with the possibility to better understand this complex matter. The Canadian background which geographically centers around the Quebec area also teaches them a lot about Canada and helps them see how closely related the Duplessis orphans are to Canada’s past and present. The shocking fact that child abuse has been tolerated for such a long time also shows that Canada – like all former colonies of France and Great Britain – has been a victim of colonization that exercised the so-called ‘four Cs’ (conquest, civilization, commerce and, above all, Christianity) to deal with their colonies.

Following a tragic accident that claimed the lives of both parents, Jared and David Jackson were sent to Milton Hershey School for Boys in Pennsylvania. Upon their release, the orphans took very different paths. Jared’s seven-year search to locate his wayward brother ended when fate put him in touch with David. Jared’s love for the guitar is his driving force to succeed. A law degree from Pitt sets him up for life. David goes West and finds adventure and love in Yellowstone County. A hero to many, his journey finds a road strewn with sadness and a broken heart. A distraught Jared takes his guitar and law degree, back to where it all began. This is a work of fiction. Some of the characters, organizations and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. About the Author Frederick Eshelman is a very common man, born in the coal mining town of Pittston, Pennsylvania. He was blessed with an outgoing personality and a vivid imagination. A storyteller for the past seven decades, he has an uncanny ability to recall, in great detail, his travels across America. These stories were published as nonfiction in 2014. After a four-year stint in the Air Force, he worked for major retailers and spent his final years as Group Travel Director for Martz Trailways. In retirement he left the cold of Pennsylvania and has made Ft. Myers, Florida home for 25 years. He and wife Catherine enjoy their visits with family and friends who stop by.

Raised in an orphanage since birth, sixteen-year-old Tony Cole has seen more disappointment than successbut his life changes forever after he meets billionaire and philanthropist Jonathan Stuyvesant. Jonathon spends twelve years mentoring Tony, helping him to become a financial wizard. After he dies, he leaves Tony a vast fortunewith a catch. During the reading of his last will and testament, Jonathon issues a challenge to Tonyto become the next man to acquire a wealth of over three billion dollars. Suddenly overwhelmed by the curious reporters who surround him after the news is announced, Tony decides to leave on a vacation to sort things out and determine on his course of action. A brilliant and shrewd businessman, Tony is motivated by the challenge and soon begins building an empire like no other. But he is soon distracted from his goals by two womana married woman, out of his reach, whom he loves deeply but cannot have, and the beautiful movie star whose love distracts him from his obsession with the first. In this intriguing tale of high finance, joy, and tragedy, Tony attempts to grapple with his emotions, but soon realizes that love has more power over the course of his life than he ever realized.