They were children with no homes, no families, and no idea where they were going. Between the 1850s and the 1930s, thousands of kids boarded trains in crowded cities like New York and headed west—alone. What waited for them at the end of the line? New parents? New jobs? A better life? This powerful book tells the real stories of the children who rode those trains, what they left behind, and what they hoped to find.
Written for readers ages 7 to 12, this book dives into one of the most remarkable and often forgotten chapters in American history. Through stories of newsboys, bootblacks, and orphans trying to survive city life, readers will discover why these trains were created, who helped run them, and what happened to the kids once they arrived in faraway towns. Some were welcomed with open arms. Others faced hard work and heartbreak. But every child had a story worth telling.
Filled with emotion, history, and unforgettable moments, this book invites young readers to explore what it meant to be brave, to hope, and to keep going—no matter how tough life got. It's a journey through the past that opens hearts and sparks big questions about kindness, fairness, and how kids can make a difference.