Author Renee Wendinger

Extra! Extra! The Orphan Trains and Newsboys of New York reaches the heart of the reader, and the heart of America! As the developer of the musical theatrical production Orphan Train The Musical, I only hope this dramatic piece is as touching and important as this incredible book written by author Renée Wendinger.”

Patricia Birch

Emmy Award winner, director and choreographer for musical theatre and film.

http://orphantrainmusical.com

“Fending for oneself as a child is a rough endeavor. Extra! Extra! The Orphan Trains and Newsboys of New York tells the story of the fate of many children in the early twentieth century, and how the Children's Aid Society sought to help these young people through their early lives. From helping them find homes in rural America through the infamous orphan trains, to giving the newsboys of New York places to stay, the Children's Aid Society engaged in remarkable work. This book is a fascinating survey of the history of child welfare in the United States.”

Midwest Book Review

Last Train Home: An Orphan Train Story is a richly detailed  and intriguing narrative that draws upon the real-life stories of  train riders, John Ausers and Sophia Kaminsky,. The story humanizes the thousands of children who rode the orphan trains. Renée  Wendinger knows the history of the orphan trains very well. "

Publisher's Weekly

"Renée Wendinger has written a thoughtful and moving history based on the real life stories of two orphan train riders, Johnny and Sophia, both orphaned in the early 1900s under heart-wrenchingly difficult circumstances. I was struck by the similarities between the characters in Last Train Home: An Orphan Train Story and my grandmother's creation, Anne of Green Gables, and the will to live a positive and productive life. This author is clearly a gifted writer."

Kate Macdonald Butler

Heirs of L.M. Montgomery Inc.

Deftly written by Renée Wendinger and charmingly illustrated by Sharon Grey, Charlie's Chalk Stick  is a delightfully engaging children's book based on a historic figure born out of America's Great Depression -- the hobo. This is the kind of story that will give children the opportunity to visit a particular period in America's past while learning something valuable about the human condition at the same time. While very highly recommended for elementary school and community library children's book collections, it should be noted for parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

Children's Bookwatch 

Beautifully written and illustrated. Charlie's Chalk Stick is a lovely, timeless story that will teach children about the Depression and also about compassion for those less fortunate than they are. The easy writing style of Wendinger and engaging illustrations by Gray will entertain and also impart subtle but important messages to children. They will learn without realizing they are learning. Highly recommended. 

Amazon Book Review