Rodzina

Rodzina
Author(s)
Age Range
8+
Release Date
January 11, 2005
ISBN
044041993X
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In 1881, 12-year-old Rodzina Clara Jadwiga Anastazya Brodski wishes she didn’t have to board the orphan train in Chicago. But she has no home, no family, and no choice. Rodzina doesn’t believe the orphans are on their way out West to be adopted by good families. She’s sure they will become slaves to strangers. Anyway, who would ever adopt a large, tough, stubborn girl of Polish origin? As the train heads west, all Rodzina has is a small suitcase and her family memories from the past. Will Rodzina ever step off the train to find the family that deep in her heart she’s searching for?

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There's No Place Like Home
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Do you know of one real orphan, one real live orphan, who turned out all right?


Rodzina, by Karen Cushman, is an historical story about a twelve-year-old orphan in 1881. During this time period, there were many children all by themselves. Immigrants were coming into America each day, but there wasnt enough work, shelter, or food for everybody. Thousands of children turned to the streets to survive. These kids were orphans, kids from poor families, and kids with sick, abusive, or alcoholic parents who couldnt take care of their children. People didnt know what to do with all the kids.


One man, named Charles Loring Brace wanted to help the kids. He founded the Childrens Aid Society, which started the orphan trains. Brace did this because he thought there would be families out west who would need children to help on their farms and that these families would learn to love and accept the orphans.


Rodzina is put an orphan train with several other children. She fears that the families out west will only want her for labor and that she will never have a true family again.


Much of this story takes place on the train. The children are stuck to one spot. They dont have a say in where they are going or whom they go with. At each destination, the children are showcased in a town hall. They must stand still while people poke and prod them, checking their teeth and muscles. If an orphan is chosen, he or she is sent to live with the families. Some kids are lucky and get new homes where they can be happy. Others are not so lucky and eventually run away.


I thought that this was a super story because it taught me about something that I didnt know about before. It made me think about how lucky I am to have a family, a home, and a warm coat when many kids have none of these.


Rodzina is faced with many challenges but she is able to learn from her experiences and we learn something as well. In her search for a new home, we learn that a home means many things, but most of all it is where we are loved and accepted for who we are.

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Take a Ride on the Orphan Train
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Rodzina is a wonderful story of a little known event in America's not-too-distant history. She is so sympathetic I just HAD to know what was going to happen to her. Rodzina meets all kinds of colorful characters on her journey west aboard the "orphan train" and discovers many truths about herself as well. I highly recommend this story!
Good Points
Fantastic characters, details that bring history alive, a true journey story both externally (the train ride and its various stops) and internally (Rodzina's growth).
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