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Robert Noonan
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I lived on the far North side of Chicago all of my life. Recently, I moved to my country home in Wisconsin where I completed my trilogy; Wildflowers, Bridie's Daughter and Secrets. I have received many phone calls asking me to continue this series, people wanting to know what happens to my characters. I must admit, I did leave it open-ended and in need for continuation. Promoting these three books is keeping me from writing my next novel. I'm working on it in my head.
A 19th century photo of an abused child laborer, a girl about nine-years-old, inspired me to write my first book, Wildflowers. Half way through the novel I saw where I could connect it to a second book. I decided, "Why two? Make it a trilogy." And so it was done. I changed the theme from abused child laborers to children who rode the orphan trains to an uncertain future. Some found loving homes; others experienced physical and mental abuse. Over 200,000 children left New York City to be adopted in the West and Southwest between 1854 and 1929.
I am a member of the National Orphan Train Complex, an organization dedicated to keeping alive this little-known corner of United States History. No one in my family was a rider. I joined because of my interest in the subject.
Birth Place: Chicago, IL USA
Accomplishments: Being my trilogy was recently released, I haven't had much time to expose them to many competitions. In May, all three of my novels were among ten Finalists in the 2008 Indie Book Awards-Historical Fiction, an international competition. I am waiting for results from other contests. To date, all book reviews have rated my trilogy five stars.
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Books
|  | Bridie's Daughter by Robert Noonan
This haunting segment of United States history is about homeless children who traveled from New York City to find homes in the West and Southwest at the end of the 19th century. Some children found loving homes; others experienced horrendous physical and mental abuse.
Filled with vivid historical detail and heartfelt emotion, Noonan delivers a compelling look at a little-known event in Un...
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 | Secrets by Robert Noonan
Third story in the Orphan Train Trilogy.
In Secrets, we see the development of family love and friendship that blossoms within families that take children into their home. For most, their new life has improved, yet, many of the characters have secrets from their past that could have devastating consequences, if discovered. Some secrets are revealed; others better left untold. Overcoming t...
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 | Wildflowers by Robert Noonan
First Story in my Orphan Train Trilogy.
A little-known corner of U.S. History.
A riveting tale that deftly portrays everyday life in a small American mill town where innocent children are forced to operate dangerous machinery and even darker abuses are committed against them....
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Poetry
Why I Write History by Robert Noonan
I write to bring the past to the present; sharing times long forgotten....
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Articles
Orphan Train Trilogy has three Finalists in International Competition. by Robert Noonan
A little-known corner of U.S. History. From 1854-1929 over 200,000 homeless children left New York City to find homes in the Wesr and Southwest....
Orphan Train Trilogy by Robert Noonan
All three novels of Orphan Train Trilogy are among ten finalists in International Competition....
Orphan Train: Letter-4 by Robert Noonan
This is the fourth and last letter written by an orphan train rider that I will be submitting. I wish I had many more to share with you.
This boy appears content with his lot living on a farm...
Orphan Train: Letter-2 by Robert Noonan
Over 200,000 children left New York City to find new homes in the West and Southwest between 1854-1929. Many of the children wrote letters to the Agent who rode the train with them, telling of their n...
Orphan Train: Letter-1 by Robert Noonan
Read Letters written by children who rode the orphan trains over one hundred years ago. Some are a joy to read; others are not....
Orphan Train: Letter-3 by Robert Noonan
This is the third of four letters written by orphan train riders that I will be submitting. No homeless child knew in advance what kind of life they would find out West. Most children found permanent ...
Orphan Train Trilogy by Robert Noonan
For an emotional experience read letters written by children that rode the orphan trains over a century ago....
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News
Orphan Train Trilogy has three Finalists in International Competition by Robert Noonan
A little-known corner of U.S. History. From 1854-1929 over 200,000 homeless children left New York City to find new homes in the West and Southwest....
Letters written by Orphan Train Riders by Robert Noonan
Children who rode the Orphan Trains between 1854-1929 wrote letters to the Agent who rode the train with them, telling about their new life ... good or bad....
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Links
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| Orphan Train Trilogy
"A must read." Click on the link above. This blog contains a short Biography of the author, an extensive description of each novel and book reviews.
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Additional information
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| This Wednesday, July 16, I will present the third of four letters I am posting that were written by homeless children that rode the orphan trains. The letter is dated, 1878. Her's is not a happy letter, but gives good insight as to what some of the children experienced. It will be submitted late afternoon. |
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Contact
Information
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