On Track for Treasure

September 1, 2014
The kids of Wanderville (2014) are back riding the rails after the sheriff of Whitmore, Kansas, finds their makeshift home. After rescuing more orphans from the horrible conditions at the Pratcherds' beet farm, they jump on the first train heading out of town. Trouble with the law in Kansas City makes their best hope a minister and his wife, who take the eight children to their home in Missouri. But where will the children sleep? Inside the home with real beds? Or out in the barn, where they can keep some of their hard-won independence? McClure focuses on the main characters of Frances, her younger brother, Harold, and the two boys sparring over leadership of the group, Alexander and Jack. These four choose to sleep in the barn, and their "outdoor orphan" status gains the respect of the sharecropper tenants. Underlying themes thread their way through the story, including lessons from both hobos and reverends. The second half of the book covers topics of racism, violence, abandonment and alcoholism. The story speeds up when Eli, an abused and troubled young sharecropper boy, takes the blame for a crime committed by Harold. As this story presents just a slice of the orphan train experience, it's best read in accompaniment with strong nonfiction resources.The ending points the resilient Wanderville kids toward California, ensuring another adventure for fans. (Historical fiction. 8-12)

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July 1, 2014

Gr 3-6-In their second adventure, the Wanderville citizens have finally escaped the Pratchard Farm, only to have Sheriff Routh find their wilderness hideaway. Now Jack, Frances, Harold, and their friends flee to the train tracks in Whitmore, Kansas, to ride the rails to California. But their troubles begin soon after hopping the train. Jack and Alexander are fighting for leadership, while Frances ponders the location of a mysterious treasure mentioned by a hobo friend. Soon, the scary Miss DeHaven returns and tries to herd them back to the Pratchard Farm. The seemingly kind Reverend Carey and his wife rescue the children, though things aren't what they seem on the Carey's farm. This historical fiction series is full of excitement and suspense. Readers will root for the brave residents of Wanderville.-Annette Herbert, F. E. Smith Elementary School, Cortland, NY

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2014
Grades 4-6 The orphan train period of history comes to life in the second book of this series. The children of Wanderville were lucky to escape from the Pratcherd's farm, but now they must also escape the sheriff. Jack, Alexander, Frances, Harold, and friends all hop a train, hoping to travel to California, although they are heading east instead. As luck would have it, some helpful hobos not only tell them how to catch a west-bound train in Kansas City, but also mention a treasure. More trouble follows at the train depot, until the kids are saved by a kind reverend and his wifewho may not be as softhearted as the kids think. This work of historical fiction tells the story of events that most children will not learn about in history class, and it does so in a way that will leave them wanting more. Readers will relate to the characters and their hopes and dreams, and likely understand their desire for independence. Fans of the Swindle series by Gordon Korman may also like this historical caper.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)