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Summary
Summary
Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book
Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Books, Best of the Best
Missouri State Teachers Association Reading Circle Recommended Book
Twelve-year-old orphan Rory Fitzpatrick lives with her younger sister Violet at New York City's Foundling Hospital in the early 1900s. But when Rory discovers that Violet will be sent to the Arizona Territory to be adopted, her world is shattered.
Although too old to be adopted herself, Rory--brave and smart--is determined to stay with her sister, even if it means hiding out on a train traveling west. When Rory and Violet arrive in Arizona, everything that could go wrong does go wrong. Will Rory give up? This uplifting novel about the power of faith and the true meaning of family launches the Hidden Histories series, spotlighting little-known tales from America's past, and the children behind those stories. Includes authors' note and further resources.
Author Notes
Michaela MacColl has published several historical fiction novels. Prisoners in the Palace received a starred review from School Library Journal and was selected as an Indie Next Choice. Promise the Night received starred reviews and was selected for the ALA Amelia Bloomer List, IRA's Notable Books for a Global Society, and Bank Street College's Best Books of 2012. She has degrees in multi-disciplinary history from Vassar College and Yale University. Rory's Promise is the first in the Hidden Histories series published by Calkins Creek books. She and her family live in Connecticut. michaelamaccoll.com.
Rosemary Nichols has loved history all her life, especially the history of ordinary people. She has two history degrees from the University of Washington and a law degree from the University of Chicago. This is her first book for children. She lives in upstate New York. rosemarygailnichols.com.
Reviews (5)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Inspired by historical events in the early 1900s, MacColl (Nobody's Secret) and debut author Nichols launch the Hidden Histories series with the gripping story of 12-year-old Rory Fitzpatrick and her determination to stay with her younger sister, Violet. Ever since their parents died three years earlier, the girls have lived in New York City's Foundling Hospital, where Rory assists the nuns in caring for the children there. In order to make room for new arrivals, Violet and other young ones are being sent to a town in Arizona Territory, where Catholic families will adopt them. Strong-willed and brash, Rory sneaks onto the orphan train and talks her way into meeting Violet's new family. When Rory arrives in the town of Clifton, there's no gas or electricity, frequent flooding, and a violent rift between the "Mexicanos," who have arranged to adopt the children, and the "Anglos," who dislike the idea of white children being adopted by Hispanic families, and aim to steal the children away. Endearing (and enduring) relationships and a suspenseful plot make for an exciting and at times wrenching voyage into America's past. Ages 9-12. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
Outspoken twelve-year-old Rory, who lives in NYC's Catholic Foundling Hospital in 1904, vows to protect her sister, Violet. When Violet is placed with a family in racially divided Arizona Territory, Rory sneaks aboard the train headed west. Despite some lackluster dialogue and underdeveloped characters, Rory is a feisty and compelling protagonist in an action-packed story based on historical events. (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
MacColl and Nichols team up for the first title in the new Hidden Histories series, which spotlights lesser-known historical moments. Twelve-year-old Rory Fitzpatrick's life at New York City's Foundling Hospital is upended when her younger sister, Violet, is set to be adopted in Clifton, a town in the Arizona Territory. Unbeknownst to the nuns in charge, Rory sneaks onto an orphan train to stick with her sister. Upon arrival in the mining town, they are thrust into an ongoing disagreement between the wealthier Anglo women and their intended adoptive parents, Mexican Catholics. Though the pace sometimes slows thanks to the dry narrative style, intrepid Rory is a likable protagonist with determination and heart, all of which will endear her to readers. Multifaceted adult characters drawn from history, especially Sister Anna, bring to life the complex dynamics in Clifton at the turn of the last century. Extensive back matter provides further historical context and lesson tie-ins. Pair with Christina Baker Kline's Orphan Train (2013) for an even more comprehensive look at this part of American history.--Barnes, Jennifer Copyright 2014 Booklist
School Library Journal Review
Gr 5 Up-Twelve-year-old Rory Fitzpatrick, a feisty red-haired orphan, helps care for the youngest children at the Foundling Hospital in New York where she lives with her younger sister, Violet. When Rory finds out that about 50 of the youngest orphans, including Violet, will be sent by train to "good Catholic homes" in the West, she secretly vows to accompany them, making a promise to Violet that they will always stay together. Despite the firm and loving guidance of head nun Sister Anna, Rory stows away on the train leaving behind the safety and comforts of the orphanage, (running water, hot meals). When she's finally discovered, the overwhelmed nuns let her stay on and assist with the journey. Fairly predictable up to this point, the story takes a dramatic and unexpected turn when the train arrives in the isolated mining town of Clifton, in the territory of Arizona. The only adoption location not to be pre-vetted in person because of distance, Clifton is inhospitable from the start. Smoke and fumes from the mining operations fill the sky and a menacing mob of women meets the train. Issues of racial violence and environmental illness have deeply divided the town. Most of the women are unable to bear children so when the predominantly white orphans arrive intended for Catholic (Mexican) families, the Caucasian families demand justice on moral grounds-and kidnap the children. Rory is caught in a desperate situation as she struggles to keep herself and Violet safe. Readers will enjoy the fast-paced action and likable main character. Based on a true story and an actual event that took place in 1904, this is a historical novel with a unique topic and plenty of substance, making it especially suitable for class or group discussions.- Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
This first in the Hidden Histories series of middle-grade novels highlights an episode in which New York City's Foundling Hospital sent white youth to unfamiliar Arizona Territory to be adopted by Mexican Catholics, raising the ire of Protestant Anglos and revealing the depths of their prejudice.Ever since Rory Fitzpatrick and her baby sister, Violet, arrived at the Foundling after their parents died, Rory has worked to remain with Vi. It seems for naught when Sister Anna decides to send Vi west to be placed. Rather than lose her last family member, Rory stows away on the train, appearing only when she cannot be sent back. It's a good thing, too, as the nuns cannot care for the tots without Rory's help. And when they arrive in Clifton to a riot caused by desperate, angry white women, only Rory fully understands the threat. Although Rory's heroism is improbable, youngsters will find it heartening. Rory escapes when kidnapped, then negotiates a deal to secure safe passage for the majority of orphans and nunsall before the happy ending. The injustice, drama and action will have readers riveted. A historical note sheds some light on the complicated issues. However, why so many women gave up their babies will warrant discussion, given Rory's conflicted view of the matter (she makes a somewhat disturbing distinction between being an orphan and a foundling). Despite this point, children will find this an exciting, eye-opening read. (Historical fiction. 9-11) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
