The Children's Train
Books | Fiction / Historical / 20th Century / World War II
4.2
Viola Ardone
The inspiration behind the forthcoming Netflix film“The innocence of childhood collides with the stark aftermath of war in this wrenching and ultimately redemptive tale of family, seemingly impossible choices, and the winding paths to destiny, which sometimes take us to places far beyond our imaginings.” – Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Before We Were Yours and The Book of Lost Friends"Ardone’s beautifully crafted story explores the meaning of identity and belonging...recommended to fans of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels." – The Library Journal“[The Children’s Train] leaves you with a great sense of the importance of family and the tough decisions that must be faced as a result of that love.” – Shelf AwarenessBased on true events, a heartbreaking story of love, family, hope, and survival set in post-World War II Italy—written with the heart of Orphan Train and Before We Were Yours—about poor children from the south sent to live with families in the north to survive deprivation and the harsh winters.Though Mussolini and the fascists have been defeated, the war has devastated Italy, especially the south. Seven-year-old Amerigo lives with his mother Antonietta in Naples, surviving on odd jobs and his wits like the rest of the poor in his neighborhood. But one day, Amerigo learns that a train will take him away from the rubble-strewn streets of the city to spend the winter with a family in the north, where he will be safe and have warm clothes and food to eat. Together with thousands of other southern children, Amerigo will cross the entire peninsula to a new life. Through his curious, innocent eyes, we see a nation rising from the ashes of war, reborn. As he comes to enjoy his new surroundings and the possibilities for a better future, Amerigo will make the heartbreaking choice to leave his mother and become a member of his adoptive family.Amerigo’s journey is a moving story of memory, indelible bonds, artistry, and self-exploration, and a soaring examination of what family can truly mean. Ultimately Amerigo comes to understand that sometimes we must give up everything, even a mother's love, to find our destiny.Translated from the Italian by Clarissa Botsford
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Author
Viola Ardone
Pages
320
Publisher
HarperCollins
Published Date
2021-01-12
ISBN
006294052X 9780062940520
Ratings
Google: 5
Community ReviewsSee all
"This was a great read"
Alicia Wurm
"This is an excellent example of international history that as an American reader, I would never have known had I not read this book. While it is a work of fiction, the events described here are as heart wrenching as any true story I have heard coming out of the dark days of WWII.<br/><br/>This story revolves around Amerigo, a young boy living in the ruins of post-war southern Italy. Money is tight and food is scarce, so in a desperate attempt to provide a better life for her son, Amerigo's mother sends him on a train as a part of a Communist run program that sets up a home stay in northern Italy. The children stay with the northern families for a year, and they are provided for with food and shelter, and they even have the opportunity to learn a trade based on their host's professions.<br/><br/>The story is narrated by Amerigo himself, and to view this unknown existence through the eyes of a 7-year-old is at times amusing and at times completely heartbreaking. The readers view through his eyes the fear that comes from displacement, and the challenges of understanding the political machinations that drive these sorts of initiatives. We see the raw emotions and reactions to such an impossible situation, as only a child can express.<br/><br/>Amerigo essentially becomes a child of two worlds: the only home he has ever known and a whole knew world of opportunity and understanding. This book is thought provoking and truly incredible from a historical perspective. I highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in world history, and anyone with an interest in the remarkable stories of resilience that come from the horrors of war.<br/>"
A P
Allie Peduto
"I like that is was written in point of view of a seven year old. There were things that I didn’t like. I would give this a rating of 3/5"
Dacey Nolan
