Orphan!

Gr 7 Up—Life in the early 1930s is illuminated by this tale of two pals, impetuous Homer and more-thoughtful Jamie. Growing up in rural, northwest Iowa, Homer is shocked when his plain-speaking farmer father tells him on his 13th birthday that he, Homer, was adopted off an orphan train as a toddler. Convinced that he'll never, thus, inherit the farm he loves, he is determined to go to New York City to find his biological parents and drafts Jamie to assist. Along the way, they encounter a violent, pedophile railroad "bull" in Kansas City, are rescued by an honorable hobo, and are helped by a variety of kindly folks including Big Lottie in her Dubuque whorehouse; a friendly railroad porter in Ohio; and by a girl they call Sam, now living in New York, whom they befriended during her earlier, brief stay in their Iowa community. The author cleverly incorporates the use of the telephone party line as a sort of pre-digital Facebook. Death by illness, deprivation, and poverty are realistically shown to have been the order of the day. Less successful is the repeated use of postcards and letters to move the plot along and inconsistent pacing. Most of the period details are on target. The boys' changing relationship and personal growth are well handled, and the themes about self-reliance, sharing, and following your dreams are clear. Recommend to readers who like their history personal.—Joel Shoemaker, formerly at South East Junior High School, Iowa City, IA