The inspiration behind the forthcoming Netflix film The innocence of childhood collides with
the stark aftermath of war in this wrenching and ultimately redemptive tale of family
seemingly impossible choices and the winding paths to destiny which sometimes take us to
places far beyond our imaginings. - Lisa Wingate #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of
Before We Were Yours and The Book of Lost Friends Ardone's beautifully crafted story explores
the meaning of identity and belonging...recommended to fans of Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan
novels. - The Library Journal [The Children's Train] leaves you with a great sense of the
importance of family and the tough decisions that must be faced as a result of that love. -
Shelf Awareness Based on true events a heartbreaking story of love family hope and survival
set in post-World War II Italy-written with the heart of Orphan Train and Before We Were
Yours-about poor children from the south sent to live with families in the north to survive
deprivation and the harsh winters. Though Mussolini and the fascists have been defeated the
war has devastated Italy especially the south. Seven-year-old Amerigo lives with his mother
Antonietta in Naples surviving on odd jobs and his wits like the rest of the poor in his
neighborhood. But one day Amerigo learns that a train will take him away from the
rubble-strewn streets of the city to spend the winter with a family in the north where he will
be safe and have warm clothes and food to eat. Together with thousands of other southern
children Amerigo will cross the entire peninsula to a new life. Through his curious innocent
eyes we see a nation rising from the ashes of war reborn. As he comes to enjoy his new
surroundings and the possibilities for a better future Amerigo will make the heartbreaking
choice to leave his mother and become a member of his adoptive family. Amerigo's journey is a
moving story of memory indelible bonds artistry and self-exploration and a soaring
examination of what family can truly mean. Ultimately Amerigo comes to understand that
sometimes we must give up everything even a mother's love to find our destiny. Translated
from the Italian by Clarissa Botsford
