Resource Family Book Club ~ Reading Between the Lines

Come and join us for a fun and relaxing book club! Each month we will read a portion of the book and have a meaningful discussion.



Contact ACRF for a copy of the book if you need one and join us!

Sponsored by:


SEPTEMBER 11: ASSIGNMENT FOR BOOK CLUB MEETING Read Pages 1-93

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  • According to the sponsors, what is the goal of the Orphan Train?
  • What terms do adults have to agree to in order to be given an orphan form the orphan train? Are there any safeguards in place to protect the children from potentially abusive homes?
  • What details suggest that Molly is making an effort to stay in her current foster home? At this point in the novel, what do you think is motivating her to stay?
  • After observing the interactions of her foster parents, Molly “can’t quite figure out how Ralph fits into all of this” (49). What is your opinion of Ralph and Dina’s relationship?
  • Why is Terry suspicious of Molly? Do you think her suspicion is understandable?


OCTOBER 9: ASSIGNMENT FOR BOOK CLUB MEETING Read Pages 95-184

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  1. What is significant about Mrs. Byrne’s decision to provide Niamh with clothes? Based on the revelations in this section, why do you think Vivian kept the jacket for so long?
  2. Is life at the Grotes’ homestead an improvement over the Byrnes’, or is it worse? Explain your answer.
  3. Why do you think Niamh turns down Miss. Larsen’s offer to call her by her real name?
  4. What details suggest that Vivian and Molly are growing close to each other as they work together on Molly’s school project?
  5. Do you have things that you don’t use or are stored away but you can’t part with? What are those things and why do you keep them?

NOVEMBER 13: ASSIGNMENT: Read Pages 185-275

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

  1. How does Molly’s flight from her foster home mirror Vivian’s experiences as a child? How do you think Vivian’s past informs the way she interacts with Molly?
  2. How does her relationship with Dutchy help Vivian come to terms with her past?
  3. Read Vivian’s thoughts during the birth of her daughter on pages 246-7. How do Vivian’s thoughts help you understand her decision to make an adoption plan for her child?
  4. What similarities or differences are there between the past shown in the story and our present foster care system?
  5. Were orphan trains a good thing? Why or why not? What, if any, better options were available at the time?