I observed
the monthly book club at my local library, this month they read The Orphan Train, by Christina Baker
Kline. I did not participate; group discussion really isn’t my thing. The group
was made up of mostly older people (think 60’s plus).The leader, a librarian,
started the meeting and gave a brief summary about the book. There weren’t any
provided snacks or beverages, but several people brought their own beverages. When
the meeting started, the leader was the one asking the questions. The questions
were all discussion questions to facilitate group discussion. Eventually the discussion
took hold, and the group began to lead the discussion themselves. There were
one or two who tended to monopolize the conversation, but that’s not unusual
for older people who live alone. All of the attendees participated, and it was
a friendly and open atmosphere.
The
library system has a whole collection of book club kits: 10 copies of the book,
and a list of discussion questions—the Central group doesn’t use the book club
kits. The group typically reads narrative non-fiction, 90% history based, and
all are Americana. The librarian creates a list of questions to begin the
discussion, and incase conversation lags. The librarian also typically chooses
the book, but he brings several selections for the group to decide on—he always
makes sure that the book chosen has numerous copies throughout the system so
that members have no problem accessing the book. The selection for next month
is American Childhood by Annie Dillard.
Summary of
The Orphan Train:
Between 1854 and 1929, so-called orphan trains ran regularly from the
cities of the East Coast to the farmlands of the Midwest, carrying thousands of
abandoned children whose fates would be determined by pure luck. Would they be
adopted by a kind and loving family, or would they face a childhood and
adolescence of hard labor and servitude? As a young Irish immigrant, Vivian
Daly was one such child, sent by rail from New York City to an uncertain future
a world away. Returning east later in life, Vivian leads a quiet, peaceful
existence on the coast of Maine, the memories of her upbringing rendered a hazy
blur. But in her attic, hidden in trunks, are vestiges of a turbulent past.
Seventeen-year-old Molly Ayer knows that a community-service position helping an
elderly widow clean out her attic is the only thing keeping her out of juvenile
hall. But as Molly helps Vivian sort through her keepsakes and possessions, she
discovers that she and Vivian aren’t as different as they appear. A Penobscot
Indian who has spent her youth in and out of foster homes, Molly is also an
outsider being raised by strangers, and she, too, has unanswered questions
about the past. Moving between contemporary Maine and Depression-era Minnesota,
Orphan Train is a powerful tale of upheaval and resilience, second chances, and
unexpected friendship. (Amazon).
