Road to Home

Thirteen-year-old Mem works as a servant for the Palmers, a wealthy family in 1817 Connecticut. When Mrs. Palmer becomes ill and the family faces financial troubles, Mem must make decisions about her future. Mem's journey takes her through rural New England as she searches for opportunities and independence. Her path intersects with the early American textile industry, where young women work in newly established mills along the rivers. This historical novel captures a pivotal time of industrial and social change in America's development. The story explores themes of class differences, women's roles, and the choices available to those seeking to improve their circumstances in the early 19th century.

Readers appreciate how the book illustrates family hardship during The Great Depression through authentic details and a child's perspective. Many note that it helps students understand the historical period in a relatable way. Several parent reviewers mention that the story sparked meaningful discussions with their children about poverty, resilience, and resourcefulness. Teachers report that students connect with the main character Memry and her journey. Some readers found the pacing slow in the middle sections and noted that younger children might struggle with the serious themes and complex vocabulary. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (based on 163 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (25 reviews) Sample reader comments: "Perfect for teaching empathy and history together" - 4th grade teacher on Goodreads "My daughter kept asking questions about the Depression after reading" - Parent reviewer on Amazon "Story drags between chapters 5-8" - Student reviewer on Goodreads

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🌟 Author Mary Jane Auch was inspired to write this historical novel after discovering her own great-grandmother had been placed on an orphan train in the 1850s 🏠 The orphan train movement (1854-1929) relocated approximately 200,000 orphaned, abandoned, or homeless children from Eastern cities to foster homes in rural areas 📚 The book accurately depicts how many children during this era were forced to choose between working as factory laborers in the city or taking their chances on the orphan trains 🚂 The Children's Aid Society, which operated the orphan trains, kept detailed records of the children's placements, allowing many modern descendants to trace their family histories 👗 The main character's skill with a needle and thread reflects a crucial survival skill for young girls in the 1800s, as most clothing was handmade and needed frequent mending