Rodzina Clara Jadwiga Anastazya Brodski, a strong and stubborn Polish orphan, leaves Chicago on an orphan train, expecting to be adopted and turned into a slave—or worse, not to be adopted at all. As the train rattles westward, she  begins to develop attachments to her fellow travelers, even the frosty orphan guardian, and to believe that there might be good homes for orphans—maybe even for a big, combative Polish girl. But no placement seems right for the formidable Rodzina, and she cleverly finds a way out of one unfortunate situation after another until at last she finds the family that is right for her. 

The compelling narrative is laced with wry humor and keen observation, full of memorable characters, and a thoroughly researched Afterword.

Karen Cushman's acclaimed historical novels include Catherine, Called Birdy, a Newbery Honor winner, and The Midwife's Apprentice, which received the Newbery Medal. She lives on Vashon Island in Washington State. Visit her online at karencushman.com and on Twitter @cushmanbooks.

Categories

• Juvenile Fiction / Girls & Women
• Juvenile Fiction / Family / Orphans & Foster Homes
• Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / 19th Century

Product Details

ISBN: 9780358097518
ISBN-10: 0358097517
Publisher: Clarion Books
Publication Date: November 24th, 2020
Pages: 240
Language: English

Recommended Reading Level

Minimum Age: 8
Maximum Age: 12
Minimum Grade Level: 3
Maximum Grade Level: 7

"Especially interesting as a women's history title...a great story." ALA BOOKLIST, STARRED REVIEW Booklist, ALA, Starred Review    "An engaging, well-fleshed-out heroine...narrative voice is by turns curious, resentful, humorous, and sad...a comfortable and informative read" BULLETIN FOR THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books    "A contemporary feel without anachronism." KIRKUS REVEIWS Kirkus Reviews    "Engaging characters, a vivid setting, and a prickly but endearing heroine... first-person narrative captures [her] personality and spirit [with] poignancy amd humor." SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, STARRED REVIEW School Library Journal, Starred    "Rodzina is prickly, stubborn, and heart-sore but she's also honest, likable and smart...Enough unpredictability to nicely unsettle expectations." THE HORN BOOK Horn Book    "[Cushman's] choice of subjects is always excellent...a delightful, thoroughly Polish, heroine." NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW The New York Times Book Review —