The Orphan Train Trilogy

I am a complete sucker for orphan train books, and this trilogy is well worth the time to read. For those who don't know about orphan trains, here's a brief summary. In the early 19th century, New York City was flooded with street children, some of whom were orphans, others who had been turned out of their homes by parents who could not afford to take care of them, and some who had run away. By 1852, there were an estimated 30,000 street children. Charles Loring Brace came up with the idea of sending them west to be adopted by families who would have the space and ability to care for them. So began the orphan trains, which ran from 1854 until 1929 and placed around 250,000 children in homes across the west. It was an opportunity for a child to find a home, love, security, and a future, and these books explore the stories of several fictional children. They are a joy to read - though be warned that you may need a tissue at hand.