David's Search

I used this book as part of my ESL curriculum. I had two 5th grade boys share the reading of David's Search with me. It introduced a lot of vocabulary but more than that, it's portrayal of an alienated young man experiencing racial prejudice was especially touching and pertinent to many of the children with whom I work. The boys became engrossed with the story and ultimately wanted to read it themselves without my assistance. I got shut out of our reading group. The story spoke to my students...and to me. The book is especially well written, as are all of the Orphan Train series books I have encountered. Although the story is appropriate for 5th grade and above, the students do not need a 5th grade reading ability to read it. It is especially appropriate for less developed readers for this reason.

It is 1866, and twelve year old Will Scott is not happy to be on the Orphan Train. That is because he is not an orphan .He has a father,Jesse, who is a circus performer. But Jesse tells Will he will have a better family and a better life out west. Will is placed with kindly Mr. and Mrs. Wallace. Will assists Dr. Wallace on his rounds of local farms and finds he is very good at helping people that are sick or hurt. Still, Will misses his father terribly. Then one night Jesse's circus comes to town and Will needs to make a big decision. Will's Choice is a great book for one reason. It teaches about important things in life such as love. It does this by showing us that Will has to choose whether to go back with his father, who originaly dumped him, or stay with the loving Wallaces. I recomend this book cause it has a very important message for all of us.

Young David is sent by his friend, Mickey, to join the Orphan Train and thus escapes the New York streets where they are homeless. David is reluctantly adopted by a childless couple who want free workers for their farm. He is worked hard and they are miserly. He befriends Amos, a former slave, who works on the farm. The KKK moves in and threatens the family for employing and paying a negro. Amos moves on westward and David stays, winning the grudging respect of his adoptive parents. Historical detail seems accurate and story is good, with black and white illustrations. Recomended for 5th graders, and teachers.

David Howard is an eleven year old orphan in 1866. He's lived on the streets of New York City so long, he can barely remember the time when his parents were still living. A friend tells David about the Children's Aid Society, an organization that sends young orphans west on trains to find new homes. That summer, David heads west and finds a new home with the Bauer family on their Missouri farm. But the simple chores they assign to David are hard for a boy who's never been out of the city before. Luckily for David, the Bauers' hired hand, Amos, a former slave, is happy to help David learn about life on a farm. But the Ku Klux Klan has reached the little town of Harwood, where David and his foster family live, and they will stop at nothing to drive Amos away. Now, it's up to David to save his friend. Read this exciting new book in the Orphan Train Children series to find out what happens!