For a child navigating big changes and new, intimidating environments, this story offers a poignant look at finding courage and connection when everything feels unknown.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is facing a significant, scary life change and feels like an outsider. For kids grappling with moving, joining a new family, or simply feeling misunderstood, Rodzina offers a powerful historical parallel. It tells the story of a 12-year-old Polish American girl in 1881 who, after losing her family, is sent west on an orphan train. The book unflinchingly explores themes of grief, resilience, cultural identity, and what it truly means to find a family. Appropriate for mature middle-grade readers, this novel is a great choice for its authentic, complex protagonist who isn't always likable but is always real, providing a nuanced look at finding belonging on one's own terms.
Protagonist faces prejudice and negative stereotypes for being a Polish immigrant.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with the death of a family (off-page, prior to the story's start), grief, and abandonment. The approach is secular and seen through Rodzina's internal, emotional struggle. The hardships of the orphan train system, including child labor, neglect, and prejudice against immigrants (specifically Polish people), are depicted realistically. The resolution is hopeful but pragmatic: Rodzina finds a place of belonging, but it is unconventional and earned through hardship, not a fairytale adoption.
Ideal Reader
A thoughtful reader aged 11-14 who appreciates historical fiction with emotional depth. It's perfect for a child who feels like an outsider, whether due to cultural background, family circumstances (foster care, adoption, a big move), or just a prickly personality. This reader connects with strong, complicated protagonists who don't fit a simple mold.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared for the story's historical harshness. The conditions are not romanticized. The section where Rodzina is placed with the cruel Flimflam family (pages 98-123) is particularly difficult and depicts exploitation. Providing historical context about the real orphan trains would be very beneficial before or during reading. The parent has a child who feels profoundly out of place or is navigating grief. They might hear their child say things like, "I don't belong here," or "No one understands what it's like for me." The parent may be looking for a book to help a child process feelings of loss or the challenges of fitting into a new environment.
Age Experience
A younger reader (10-11) will likely focus on the adventure, the train journey, and Rodzina's survival against mean adults. They will see it as a story of a tough girl who makes it. An older reader (12-14) will grasp the deeper themes of identity, trauma, the psychological weight of grief, and the social critique of how society treated poor immigrants and children.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many orphan stories, Rodzina is not a plucky, optimistic heroine. She is cynical, angry, and often unlikable, which makes her incredibly authentic. The story's focus on her Polish identity as an anchor and a source of pride, not just background color, is unique. It's a realistic, unsentimental look at the orphan train experience from the perspective of a child who refuses to be easily assimilated.
Read plot summary
In 1881 Chicago, 12-year-old Rodzina, a grieving and fiercely proud Polish American orphan, is put on an orphan train bound for the West. Clinging to her identity and the jawbone of her deceased father, she resists the attempts to place her with a new family. The story chronicles her difficult journey, her interactions with the other orphans, and her experiences with several potential families, ranging from neglectful and exploitative to kind but not quite right. It's a journey not just across the country, but toward a new understanding of what "rodzina" (family) can mean.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Rodzina's most prized possession is her father's jawbone. Why do you think she carries it with her, and what does it represent for her journey?
2
When Rodzina lives with the cruel Flimflam family, she is treated horribly. Why do you think she doesn't run away immediately? What does she learn about her own strength in that house?
3
The book is named 'Rodzina,' which is the Polish word for family. By the end of the story, what has Rodzina decided 'family' means to her?
4
Rodzina is often stubborn and angry. Do you think these are good or bad qualities for her to have? How do they help or hurt her on her journey?
