HISTORICAL FICTION

RODZINA

written by Karen Cushman

Clarion Books

New York, New York

2003

SUMMARY

Rodzina Clara Jadwiga Anastazya Brodski appears tough as nails to those around her, but inside she is a scared little girl.  This twelve-year-old girl has lost both of her parents, her father to an accident and her mother to the “fever” and a broken heart.  Both of her brothers perished in a fire and she is all alone in the world.  She survives the streets of Chicago on her own for a short time, taking shelter in doorways and begging food from other homeless children, but eventually she is taken to the orphanage.  She is confident she can take care of herself, but, against her will, she is put on one of the “orphan trains” headed to California in 1881, convinced she and all the other children on this journey will be sold into slavery.  Feeling bitter and angry, Rodzina tries to stay to herself, but, a little at a time, the other children and “Miss Doctor,” who is accompanying them on this trip, find their way into her heart.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Rodzina has many characteristics seen in twelve-year-olds today: stubborn, afraid, wanting to be recognized and trying to fly under the radar at the same time, large, tall, awkward, and afraid.  She is quite believable as she tells her own story, weaving in the details of how she became a girl alone in this world.  The other orphans seem like they could be any of the many children around the country, arguing with each other and fighting against authority.

Cushman has shown the reader a first hand account of what is was like to be an orphan in 1881; she shared the good (Rodzina’s growing relationship with Miss Doctor), the bad (Peony and Oleander, the sisters who wanted her to clean up after their mother and aunties), and the ugly (Mr. Clench choosing her to be his wife and stepmother to his thirteen children). 

The descriptions of Chicago during the late 19^th century as seen through the eyes of a young child seem quite accurate.  Taking the reader through Omaha, Grand Island, Cheyenne, and across the Rocky Mountains, Karen Cushman has kept the pictures close to what would be seen during this time.  Traveling from the train station to the Clench home, the reader gets a feel for the distance and loneliness of homesteading in the late 1800s.

Using the voice of Rodzina, Cushman has incorporated the Polish words that would have come easily for the child of immigrants.  The dialect and choppy sentences enable the reader to actually hear the voices of the characters as the travel across the country.  The dialogue between Rodzina and the other characters of this story help the reader see the cracks develop in Rodzina as the trip progresses.  By linking Rodzina with Miss Doctor at the end, Cushman gives the reader hope that every orphan did not look forward to a bleak existence.  Hope and happy endings.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

School Library Journal - The story features engaging characters, a vivid setting, and a prickly but endearing heroine. The first-person narrative captures the personality and spirit of a child grieving for her lost family, yet resourceful and determined to make her own way. Rodzina's musings and observations provide poignancy, humor, and a keen sense of the human and topographical landscape.

BOOKLIST - A natural for American history or social studies classes, this is especially interesting as a women's history title, with Rodzina portrayed as an unromantic protagonist, big, angry, and tough. The boss of the orphan train is a woman doctor, cold and distant, and as lonely as Rodzina. Yes, it's clear that these two strong women will get together by the end; how that happens makes a great story. Cushman talks about the history in a lengthy final note, and she includes a bibliography of other orphan train books.

BCCB - An engaging, well-fleshed-out heroine...narrative voice is by turns curious, resentful, humorous, and sad...a comfortable and informative read.

KIRKUS REVIEWS - ...story is undemanding and engaging, rolling along with the journey...intriguing cover art...a contemporary feel without anachronism.

THE HORN BOOK - Rodzina is prickly, stubborn, and heart-sore but she's also honest, likable and smart...Enough unpredictability to nicely unsettle expectations.

CONNECTIONS

Students could read other books about the time of the orphan trains and discuss the lives of these children.

           Kline, Christina Baker. Orphan Train A Novel. New York: William Morrow, 2013.

Nixon, Joan Lowery. A Family Apart. New York: Dell Books for Young Readers, 1996.

Nixon, Joan Lowery. A Place to Belong. New York: Bantam Books, 1989.

Nixon, Joan Lowery. Caught in the Act. Toronto: Bantam Books, 1988.

Nixon, Joan Lowery. In the Face of Danger. Toronto: Bantam Books, 1988.

O'Connor, Stephen. Orphan Trains: The Story of Charles Loring Brace and the Children He Saved and Failed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2001.

           Warren, Andrea. We Rode the Orphan Trains. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co, 2001.

           Warren, Andrea. Orphan Train Rider: One Boy's True Story. Boston: Houghton 
           Mifflin, 1996.

        

Students could keep diary/journal entries as if they are the character, keeping an account of their travels.

Students could read other books by Karen Cushman.  Discussing the main character can give students a feel for the types of books Ms. Cushman writes.

AWARDS

Cushman, Karen. Rodzina. New York: Clarion Books, 2003.