Product Description

History comes alive in this entertaining and educational series for readers ages 7-11, written by the beloved author of the Orphan Train Adventures.

David Howard has been living on the streets of New York City so long he can barely remember his parents. Through the Children's Aid Society, he finds a new home with the Bauer family in Missouri. But farm life isn't easy, especially for a boy who's never seen a cow before.

Luckily, the Bauers' hired hand, Amos, an ex-slave, comes to David's rescue. When an unexpected danger threatens Amos, David wants to help his friend. But how can an 11-year-old boy help a grown man?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #768582 in Books
• Published on: 2000-06-13
• Released on: 2000-06-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6?Formulaic? Sure, but Nixon's title also provides a sympathetic protagonist in 11-year-old David and an uncluttered, absorbing plot. After leaving New York City in 1866 on an orphan train, the boy is "adopted" by the unlikable and childless Bauers of Missouri. His strongest connection is with the hired hand, an African American, whose friendly instruction and mentoring help offset the stern implacability of his new family. As David learns the ropes of farm life, he also worries about local prejudice against Amos and rumors that the Ku Klux Klan is in town. When the rumors become reality, Amos leaves for friendlier climes, but not before the child has the chance to see that, for all their coldness, the Bauers are also principled and decent people, willing to stand up to prejudice and violence. Intended for a younger audience than earlier titles in the series, the story is appropriate for reluctant readers and the young chapter-book crowd. The novel's after-matter includes two short historical essays?one on the orphan trains and the other on the Civil Rights movement. Mistakes in the CIP summary and subject headings suggest that this book takes place in Texas.?Coop Renner, Coldwell Elementary-Intermediate School, El Paso, TX
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap
History comes alive in this entertaining and educational series for readers ages 7-11, written by the beloved author of the Orphan Train Adventures.

David Howard has been living on the streets of New York City so long he can barely remember his parents. Through the Children's Aid Society, he finds a new home with the Bauer family in Missouri. But farm life isn't easy, especially for a boy who's never seen a cow before.

Luckily, the Bauers' hired hand, Amos, an ex-slave, comes to David's rescue. When an unexpected danger threatens Amos, David wants to help his friend. But how can an 11-year-old boy help a grown man?

About the Author
Joan Lowery Nixon is the author of more than 100 books for young people, including the award-winning Orphan Train Adventures, the Ellis Island novels, and four Edgar Award-winning young adult mysteries.

Customer Reviews

A great new Orphan Train Children book!
David Howard is an eleven year old orphan in 1866. He's lived on the streets of New York City so long, he can barely remember the time when his parents were still living. A friend tells David about the Children's Aid Society, an organization that sends young orphans west on trains to find new homes. That summer, David heads west and finds a new home with the Bauer family on their Missouri farm. But the simple chores they assign to David are hard for a boy who's never been out of the city before. Luckily for David, the Bauers' hired hand, Amos, a former slave, is happy to help David learn about life on a farm. But the Ku Klux Klan has reached the little town of Harwood, where David and his foster family live, and they will stop at nothing to drive Amos away. Now, it's up to David to save his friend. Read this exciting new book in the Orphan Train Children series to find out what happens!

Orphan Train Children: David's Search
Young David is sent by his friend, Mickey, to join the Orphan Train and thus escapes the New York streets where they are homeless. David is reluctantly adopted by a childless couple who want free workers for their farm. He is worked hard and they are miserly. He befriends Amos, a former slave, who works on the farm. The KKK moves in and threatens the family for employing and paying a negro. Amos moves on westward and David stays, winning the grudging respect of his adoptive parents. Historical detail seems accurate and story is good, with black and white illustrations. Recomended for 5th graders, and teachers.

David's Search/Our Find
I used this book as part of my ESL curriculum. I had two 5th grade boys share the reading of David's Search with me. It introduced a lot of vocabulary but more than that, it's portrayal of an alienated young man experiencing racial prejudice was especially touching and pertinent to many of the children with whom I work. The boys became engrossed with the story and ultimately wanted to read it themselves without my assistance. I got shut out of our reading group. The story spoke to my students...and to me. The book is especially well written, as are all of the Orphan Train series books I have encountered. Although the story is appropriate for 5th grade and above, the students do not need a 5th grade reading ability to read it. It is especially appropriate for less developed readers for this reason.