One of the many things that I learned about Stockton now that I am halfway through the semester is that there are constantly events happening somewhere on campus. Even one-time events such as the Freshman Convocation are frequent. Freshman Convocation was an information presentation followed by a question and answer session with Christina Baker Kline, who wrote Orphan Train. When I first opened this freshman common reading novel, I was instantly enthralled. The story follows two separate lives that connect in interesting ways. A panel that focused just on what the author had to say about the novel was an opportunity for growth and learning.
At Freshman Convocation, Baker Kline came to the Performing Arts Center and spoke to a huge crowd of freshmen about the inspirations for the book and any other details about it. It was very interesting to hear first-hand from the woman who created such a story based on real-life events. Although the novel itself focused on two story lines, Vivian’s being particularly dark, it was eye-opening to see that this bouncing from home to home actually happened to real children. It was enlightening and depressing to see the pictures that Baker Kline displayed as she talked. It made the events in the story much more real and raw, and really made me appreciate even more what I have.
The PAC was packed with students; and it was rather overwhelming. Everyone wanted to hear what Baker Kline had to say about Orphan Train. This one-time event was on Thursday, September 25th and sponsored by the freshmen seminar program and Student Senate. For me at least, being able to hear directly from the one who wrote this novel was amazing. She told the story of the lives she herself learned about that the main characters, Molly and Vivian, were based off of. Also, she informed us that there is a movie in the works. It is certainly an event that should be continued for future freshmen classes. It was a very enlightening experience, followed by a book signing, that deepened my appreciation for Orphan Train.