The Boxcar Children: The Boxcar Children Mysteries, Book 1

These are are wonderful books! Interesting stories with relatively easy vocabulary. I read them in grade school- and some more recently.Four siblings, with different personalities. They have adventures with very little supervision.

I read many of this series when I was a child. I wanted them on my Kindle so I can nearly always have access to them.The Kindle version I revived must be the version from the 1920s because although it was the same story there are many differences namely, well, names. They are not the Alden’s in this version and at first their father is still alive. When I realized what I had I was eager to have this version and happy with it despite bad editing and still no satisfying explanation about the children’s parents and the estrangement from the kind grandfather.I, as a writer myself, understand it is easier to simply ignore plot inconsistencies for an overall better story.I do not know of the graphic novel or how some are getting that instead of the original text nor why the second edition, with the altered storyline and names, is not available as well as this one. Just be aware of the fact there are multiple versions and be careful you are choosing what you actually want.As far as the story; it is simple and I believe will inspire children to enjoy reading for recreation and to try other books such as Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings and other children’s and YA literature. Yes, it is dated and children should never try living on their own, still the story is inspiring and touching.I hope this review helps and clears up at least a few things. Please do not pass up this wonderful book (and series because of confusing editions and confusing reviews.

Grammy and 8 yr old grandson spend some quality time together while reading the Boxcar Children #1. He's very much intrigued with how the children are on their own and find their "treasures" in the dump and make them work for things that they need. He also is curious and asks questions about how it was in the "olden days" when the book was written (1940's) - especially about how Henry only earns $1 for all the work he does, but also how much $1 could buy back then. We're a little over half way through book #1, and he has already asked if we could get the rest of the series, so I'd say he likes the saga of the Boxcar Children. He also likes how the black silhouette illustrations are different than those in his other books and likes to explain how they show what's being told in the story, even though they're just black and you can't see faces and other details - it's kind of like figuring out a puzzle to him. The book is written on his reading level, so he follows along well when I'm reading and feels confident when it's his turn to read. We read 2 chapters at each sitting and sometimes that's just right and other times he wants more, but we still keep it to 2 chapters and let his anticipation grow. I wasn't sure how he would react to an older story like this, but the adventures of the children and the differences in the time periods are definitely keeping him involved and liking it. Now, my 5 yr old grandson is a different story... within the first page he decided he wasn't interested and left - however, he does come back each time we sit down for a reading, but still soon leaves. I think he wants to like it, as his big brother does, but it's still a bit beyond him to fully grasp and just can't get into it. Maybe in another year or 2 he may ask Grammy for his time to read the Boxcar Children???

This story is a must have on your children’s shelves! A relaxing read before bed, and an excellent read a loud to sick little ones, I cannot recommend it highly enough.

I didn't realize when I wrote my review that I wasn't reading the 1924 original. I've since found it on-line and read it, and my oh my, I wish it was back in print so readers could experience what the author intended. It's much more colorful. The newer edition is like a Reader's Digest Condensed book in comparison.But still, I did enjoy the revised version, but it was probably more for the memory than the story.This is the story of four orphaned children who take to the road and fend for themselves for a (thankfully) short time. They're resilient, smart, caring, innovative, hard-working, imaginative, polite, clean, thrifty, brave, etc. We worry for them -- briefly -- so there's a little bit of tension in the story -- enough tension to keep the reader interested (as if their adventure isn't enough).When my friends and I first read this book -- probably second or third grade back in the 1950's, we were inspired to make our own boxcar "home". We didn't have access to a boxcar, but we did have access to a dump, and we used it. Our boxcar was a room in a large garage, used with permission of the owner. We scrounged from the dump and from our homes, and for a summer we had our own place. It's one of my favorite memories.I had forgotten that the book was the first in a series. I don't remember if we read the other books or not. Maybe we didn't, because we were having too much fun in our own boxcar.I'd be interested to know how this story resonates with 21st century kids.

Very sweet and an easy read. Good for Kindergarten kids, especially as a bedtime stories as it is calming and interesting. I adored this book, especially the cooking parts, and I have read it many times.

i grew up on The Boxcar Children, and bought this to revisit the story. I was surprised and charmed to realize that this must be an earlier draft of the story; many small variations (Ginseng?!). If you loved TBC, you will enjoy the differences

My favorite book from childhood, it was delivered on time and in perfect condition. I would highly recommend.