"The Train to Somewhere" is a work of historical fiction that tells the story of a young orphan girl named Marianne who is sent on an orphan train to be adopted by a family in the West. Overall, the author does an excellent job of combining real and fictional events to create a realistic story that accurately portrays the historical context of the orphan trains.
One detail that supports the author's skill in combining real and fictional events is the inclusion of historical information about the orphan trains themselves. For example, the author describes how the children were often lined up on stages and inspected by potential adoptive families, which is a historically accurate detail. Additionally, the author includes information about the backgrounds of the children on the train, such as Marianne's experience living in an orphanage, which further adds to the authenticity of the story.
In terms of the believability of the characters, the author also does an excellent job of creating realistic and relatable characters. Marianne, in particular, is a well-developed character who is portrayed as both vulnerable and resilient. The reader is able to sympathize with her situation and root for her as she navigates the challenges of being sent away from her home and family.
Overall, "The Train to Somewhere" is a well-crafted work of historical fiction that combines real and fictional events to create a realistic story. The inclusion of historically accurate details and the believability of the characters both contribute to the overall quality of the book.