Rodzina by Karen Cushman

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Cushman, Karen. 2003. RODZINA. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618133518

SUMMARY:
Karen Cushman writes this historical novel that tells the story of a 12 year old Polish American girl who boards an orphan train in Chicago with fears about traveling to the west and a life of unpaid slavery. Rodzina was young girl who had lost her whole family. Her 2 brothers were burned in a house fire, her father died while he was working and her mother passed away from fever. Rodzina lived on the streets of Chicago until an orpan agency picked her up. The novel is set in a time when Orphan Trains took orphans from cities in the east to find homes in the frontier lands out west during the late 1800's and early 1900's. Rodzina finds that the families interested in adopting her only wanted her for working, not as a daughter.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
RODZINA is and excellent historical fiction book probably best suited for upper elementary to middle school students. It tells good story and gives the imaage of the hardship, loneliness, fear and stuggles of orphaned children. It also looks at the history of the Orphan Train and the unwanted American children during the late 1800's. There is information about the origin of orphanages, orphan trains and a bibliography of resources for students to use as reference. This makes this selection all the more credible.

AWARDS/REVIEWS/EXCERPTS:
BOOKLIST TOP 10 HISTORICAL FICTION FOR YOUTH, 2003; ALA United States
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE CHOICE LIST, 2004; Children's Literature; United States
*CHILDREN'S LITERATURE- "The skill and finesse we have come to expect from Karen Cushman weaves a rich and powerful tale of self-discovery, and untimately, hope. The reader will find a detailed history of the orphan train and other similar efforts to 'rehabilitate' orphaned and unwanted children in the back of the book."
LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION- "This historical fiction novel is filled with the atmosphere of the late 19th century: Industrial Chicago, Indian relations, mail order brides, and more."
THE LORGNETTE- HEART OF TEXAS REVIEWS - This is an excellent choice for sixth grade and up. History and other social studies teachers can use this book for report material. Girls will love the strong heroine."

CONNECTIONS:
*Discussion: Orphans and what happened to them during the time period. How are orphans treated differently now than they were back then?
*Discuss the history of the Orpan train.
*Read THE MIDWIFE"S APPRENTICE