Lee was nine years old and did not think he needed a new family. His mother had died when he was seven, but he still had his Dad, five brothers, and a sister. But Leešs Dad was not able to take care of his large family by himself. So, in 1926, the children were all sent separate ways, and Lee and his brother George were taken to an orphanage.

After two years at the orphanage, the boys learned they were going on a train ride. The train they were to ride was one of the orphan trains, which carried more than 200,000 children from crowded eastern cities to new families in the Midwest, between 1854 and 1930.

Orphan Train Rider tells the true story of Lee Nailling, and also tells the fascinating history of the orphan train experiment. The trains stopped in towns where people who were interested in adopting the children could meet them and select a child. Real photographs of children who rode the orphan trains illustrate this book, including photos of Lee, his brothers, and his adoptive parents.

There are many quotes from Lee describing his feelings of guilt, anger and frustration, as he was separated from his brothers and moved from one home to another before finally finding a loving family. In his new family, Lee grew up to be happy and successful. Then, many years later, when he was 67 years old, he got the biggest surprise of all.

(This review was written by Adoption Clubhouse Staff)