Rodzina

1. Bibliography

Cushman, Karen. 2003. RODZINA. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 9780440419938

2. Summary

In 1881, a twelve-year-old Polish American girl is boarded onto an orphan train in Chicago with fears about traveling to the West and a life of unpaid slavery. The hero of this lively historical novel, Rodzina, is a mean orphan, desperate for home, and her adult mentor is both as tough and as needy as the orphan child.

3. Critical Analysis

Twelve-year-old Rodzina's account of the journey to the West makes the dramatic history immediate. Cushman masterfully weaves period details into this must-read, set in early 1880's America. Through the first-person narrative, Rodzina's voice comes through loud and pugnaciously clear. Rodzina is an engaging heroine whose matter-of-fact narrative voice is by turns curious, resentful, humorous, and sad (“I cried myself to sleep so quietly that no one could hear. Not even me”); her memories of and longing for her dead parents and brothers are particularly moving. Historical fiction and orphan fans will find this a comfortable and informative read. The story is based on fact, as Cushman points out in an author's note, giving some facts about the benevolent societies who from 1850 to 1929 sent children to (it was hoped) happier, healthier lives in the Western United States. She also sketches the "placing out" of Native American children and the sending of children to safety from Hitler in Europe. Cushman talks about the history in a lengthy final note, and she includes a bibliography of other orphan train books.

4. Awards and Review Excerpts

- AWARDS -

Society of School Librarians International Book Awards, 2003 Honor Book Language Arts-Grades K-6 Novels United States

- REVIEW EXCERPTS -

THE BULLITEN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S BOOKS review: “Historical fiction and orphan fans will find this a comfortable and informative read, while social studies teachers may find it useful as a read-aloud that touches on city life vs. rural life, westward expansion, and ethnic, class, and gender inequalities.”

KIRKUS review: “The story is undemanding and engaging, rolling along with the journey, subtly letting readers into Rodzina's memories of the home she once had and of her immigrant parents and her Polish heritage.”

5. Connections

Use as a read-aloud to explore the aspects of westward expansion, women’s rights, and slavery.

Discuss how Rodzina feels throughout the book and why she might have the personality she does due to her circumstances.

Discuss what qualities you might want in an adopted family and if you agree or disagree with Rodzina’s opinion of the families that she meets along her journey.

Follow up by reading other books and exploring the websites mentioned by Cushman at the end of the book.

Discuss city life vs. rural life, westward expansion, and ethnic, class, and gender inequalities