Cleo Lampos Releases Heartfelt New Historical Fiction Novel: “Riding the Rails to Home: A Newsie Rides the Orphan Train”

Acclaimed author Cleo Lampos is proud to announce the release of her latest historical fiction novel, “Riding the Rails to Home: A Newsie Rides the Orphan Train.” This captivating and heartfelt story transports readers to the late 1800s, where a young boy’s journey for belonging, identity, and hope unfolds against the backdrop of New York City’s Five Points and the orphan train movement.

In “Riding the Rails to Home,” readers are introduced to Stephen Reily, a street-smart boy living on the unforgiving streets of New York City’s Five Points. His life takes a turn when he secures a job as a newsie, selling newspapers during the day and finding refuge in the Newsboys’ Boarding House at night. Despite the small comforts of a cot, a hot meal, and the chance to attend classes, Stephen longs for something deeper - a permanent home, a place where he truly belongs. But in a city marked by poverty and hardship, who would adopt a forgotten child from the streets?

Stephen’s path to belonging becomes clearer when he is selected to ride the orphan train - a program that sent homeless children to be adopted by families across the United States. After enduring the harsh realities of the orphan train journey, Stephen finds a new life on a farm in Nebraska. There, under the care and patience of his new foster parents, Stephen begins to confront his fears, learn about forgiveness, and wrestle with his faith in a God he cannot see. A quilt square, one of the few reminders of his mother and sister, who was sent to an orphanage, holds deep emotional significance for Stephen, evoking both memories of loss and the possibility of healing.

The novel asks a poignant question: Can a cast-off child ever truly find a home - a place to belong? Through the kindness of his foster parents and the compassionate women of the town, Stephen begins to heal, learning that belonging is not just about finding a place to live, but about finding love, acceptance, and a community that cares.

Cleo Lampos masterfully explores themes of abandonment, redemption, and the resilience of the human spirit in “Riding the Rails to Home.” This emotional and meticulously researched novel highlights the transformative power of love, the importance of community, and the strength required to overcome life’s greatest hardships.

“Riding the Rails to Home: A Newsie Rides the Orphan Train” is now available for purchase at Simply Best Reads https://simplybestreads.com/product/riding-the-rails-to-home-a-newsie-rides-the-orphan-train-paperback, Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Riding-Rails-Home-Newsie-Orphan/dp/168314922X, https://www.amazon.com/RIDING-RAILS-HOME-Newsie-Orphan-ebook/dp/B07VRJVXGW/, and other major retailers and online platforms.

“Riding the Rails to Home: A Newsie Rides the Orphan Train”
Written by Cleo Lampos
Published by Reliant Publishing
Published Date: May 28, 2019
Paperback Price: $48.72

About the Author
Cleo Lampos is a retired teacher who has spent a lifetime surrounded by rural quilters. She lives in the Chicago area on a suburban garden plot with her husband, cat, and 11 visiting grandchildren. The author of numerous magazine articles and seven books, she is a speaker at local college extension programs, book clubs, and women’s groups.

Contact Information

Andy Moore

Project Coordinator

Simply Best Reads

Contact via E-mail