Looking for Home Book

This was an enjoyable read even though it was probably written for a younger audience!

The series is inspired by a true story--realising orphans in care facilities would have more chance of being adopted in rural locations, the authorities sent them on a westbound 'orphan train.' The train stopped at each station and children were chosen for adoption by families living in that area. It sounds crazy and a bit like a form of shopping for children. However, it seems to have been effective to a certain degree, as the children found new homes and families rather than remaining in institutions until they reached adulthood and it relieved the care crisis at the time.

Four siblings (the oldest is just 8) travel a long distance to reach a care home after their mother dies and their father is unable to care for them. Their older siblings cannot take the responsibility due to being required to work. The story revolves around their life at the care home and covers the type of problems they may have faced at the time. The author has effectively captured the emotional struggles of the children as on the one hand they long for adoption but on the other they wish to be reunited with their families and fear the separation from each other and the home itself as they settle down. The author also documents the struggles of other children particularly those who grow older and know that their chances of being adopted are decreasing as the years pass.

The home is Christian and the principles are woven into the story in the way the staff interact with the children. This book is clean- no bad language, violence or sexual content. The book deals with bullying and low level crime.

I recommend this for teens or those young at heart...