This is an old Christian fiction book for kids. It has great explanations of the gospel throughout. However, it’s very outdated in the politically correct sense. Kids from hard places should not read this as it has very triggering themes. It’s also not a great picture of what foster care is really like. I’m sure there were actual stories from the orphan trains that are similar, but I’m sure there is much heartache left out. Of course, it was intended for a young audience, so I’m sure they were going for happy endings. It was well written and kept the readers attention nonetheless.

Like all of Al & Joanna Lacy's books this one is in your face unapologetically christian. A moving tale about the children who are sent west on the Orphan train and the families that will take them in.

This heathen was not interested in all the JEESUUUS in this book! I gave it a star because it is a book

I'm ok with books that can be predictable..but this one was just too much. There was way too much dialogue just going over ridiculous pieces of information that didn't add to the plot of the story at all. I think the overall idea for the story was great - showing different orphans who traveled on the orphan trails and their individual stories...but the way the author described them was just boring.

This was my first book by this author. I happened to pick up the first three in a thrift store and I'm so glad I did. While I'm not really a fan of religious books this book was written in a way that showed there is a higher power for everyone.

This book went through all of my emotions: anger at the fact people were so cruel to Jimmy just because of his speech impediment; sorrow for each child who had lost their parents or were forced into a life of abandonment; hope that each child would be adopted into a loving family; shock when the Marston parents came back.

This book hooked me from the description. Once I picked it up it was hard to put it back down. I'm so glad I have the next two so I can read them.

This book took me a little while to get into. I liked the subject matter of the orphan trains, but the flow of the first couple of chapters was more like an essay than a novel. I found it dry and almost juvenile in its structure. But I am glad that I did push through. As key characters began to be introduced, and the story took shape, I came to care about the children and hoped to find them placed with good families. Parts of this book were a bit preachy, rather than faith being woven into the story gently and naturally, it was often in the face of the reader, which again made conversations between characters a bit more stilted at times. I enjoyed the book enough to put a hold on the second in the series. Looking forward to being introduced to new communities and children who found their homes in them.

I don't think children actually talked like they did in this book, but, it was still enjoyable.

So heartwrentching..

This was such a heart-wrenching book. I cried several times. I could have never went by those trains as I would have wanted to take all of the children.

The Little Sparrows was my introduction to Al & Joanna Lacy. I enjoyed the very simple literary style. I pre-read this book for my son's history. I had not heard of the Orphan Trains prior to reading this book,but found myself researching more to learn about this interesting part of US History. I enjoyed the message of "suffer not the little children" and the message of hope against the backdrop of a very discouraging time in US History.

To start, I will say it is very preachy, even for a Christian. The multiple storylines are hard to follow, and I couldn’t really get into it. But I did eventually fall in love with the sweet little orphans. I was surprised how much death and despair was included in the book which I feel is a pretty honest representation. Probably wouldn’t read it again.

It's interesting how these little kids had to get homes.