Publisher and Publication Date: Originally published by Rand McNally and Company in 1924. E-book created in 2014 by South Oxford Press.
Genre: Children’s fiction. Mystery. Grades 2nd to 6th.
Pages: 160.
Format: E-Book.
Source: Kindle. Amazon purchase.
Audience: Readers of children’s stories.
Rating: Good.

My e-book copy is no longer available at Amazon.

It is available at Project Gutenberg.

Website for The Boxcar Children.

The first 19 books were written by the original creator, Gertrude C. Warner. Other writers have written the continued stories in the series but acknowledge Warner as the creator. Most of the stories are mystery. A few of the stories are considered special. As of the newest book set for publication in March of 2023, there are 161 books.

Summary:

Four siblings are left as orphans. Their names are Henry, Jess, Violet, and Benny. They leave their home not knowing exactly what they should do. They find an abandoned box car and live in it. They stay together. They work together to find things to use in their new home. Henry has a little paying job. Things go well with the children until Violet becomes sick.

The time period for the story is about the time it was written, 1924.

My Thoughts:

The Boxcar Children, book one, is a first time to read for me.

I’d heard of the book and further stories written because my eldest son had read a few of them. I’d also heard reviewers remark about the books. On my Kindle there are seven children’s stories. Actually, one of them has all twelve books in that series, Five Little Peppers. So, a final total of 19 children’s stories to read. I’m determined to read all of them this year.

I am a member of a classics reading challenge that is a Facebook group. For the month of January, the classic to read is a Children’s book, but I will be reading several.

I like this story. I am not in love with it.

The Boxcar Children is a story with moral and teaching points. It is endearing. It is sweet and innocent despite the children’s circumstance and plight.

I love how the children look out for one another. I love how they work together to overcome obstacles.

There is a closure of sorts at the ending because the children now have a better hope for the future.