Reviews (43)

Mai Nou's Review
Wow! I think The Boxcar Children is the best book I ever read. It was about four chldren that run away from their grandfather. They think that their grandfather is mean. Henry the oldest works for a doctor in town. Jessie the third loves to cook. Violet the second oldest loves to sew. Benny the youngest loves to make stuff.They tell about the characters and why they are homeless. I'm in love with Jessie's foods. I like when they create their own things. I recommend this book to fourth and fifth graders. I would love to read the next book. I give this book 5 stars.

The BoxCar Children
Wow! This fantastic book changed my whole life in reading.This book was about 4 wonderful orphans who are runaways. Their mother and father had died.They had a grandfather. They thought he was as mean as a tiger biting people's arms off that was why they wouldn't go live with him. They found a boxcar. Henry, the oldest child, went to find work in town and that was how they got their money.There was a wonderful race and it's up to you to find out who wins and gets the great prize. Also, you get to find out if their grandfather is mean or nice.I like this book because it is a mystery and a suspenseful book. I would recommened this book to people who like these kinds of books. I would give this book 5 stars because it is cool and rocks.

Give your child a love for reading
I read these books in 3rd grade. I'm 25 now. I still think fondly about the times when I read the Boxcar Children series. I still remember the vivid explaination by Gertrude Chandler Warner of the treasures the children find including a cup with a chip in it that they use to survive while living in the boxcar.

This is one of the many books that helped me develop a great love for reading. As an educator, I can now say that this is one of the literary gems out there that is timeless for students (and adults) of all ages to enjoy.

My review of The Boxcar Children
I liked this book. It's because it's not a boring book, it's an interesting book. You can solve the mystery along with them. They are mostly mysteries.

The Boxcar Children; An outdated series; By a 6th grader
The Boxcar Children: I wouldn't recommend this book to the suggested age group; which is from ages 9 - 12. It is unrealistic to conclude that 4th - 6th graders would be the right age group. I would say 1st - 3rd grade. Perhaps the reading level is that of some 9 - 12 years olds, but the plot isn't advanced enough. I used to read these in second grade; after reading about nine of these (I didn't catch on too fast); I realized "wow, these are all the same". The plots are often fine and mystery filled...but the characters are almost impossible to relate to, not to mention the fact that all of the mysteries/crimes they encounter can be stomped out by a group of elementary-schoolers in around sixteen chapters. The characters seem strangely prefabricated and unrealistic. The dialogue is the same way. It doesn't seem like people are talking. I am quoting another review, but no-matter what these children go through, guess what, they never complain, they are always smiling. These siblings are almost impossible to relate to. They have seemingly cute habits, but in the end, they turn out fairly annoying such as the reference to a cup that the youngest sibling from the time spent in the boxcar...Let's face it; children's literature has certainly advanced since the 1950's. Really: 2.5 stars. There are certain things that I've mentioned in this review which may not matter as much to younger readers. ... Read more

Book Description

Read by Phyllis Newman
Two cassettes / 1 hour 54 minutes

Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny, four orphaned brothers and sisters, suddenly appear in a small town.No one knows who these young wanderers are or where they have come from.Frightened to live with a grandfather they have never met, the children make a home for themselves in an abandoned red boxcar they discover in the woods.Henry, the oldest, goes to town to earn money and buy food and supplies.

Ambitious and resourceful, the plucky children make a happy life themselves--until Violet gets too sick for her brothers and sister to care for her.

This unabridged recording will delight any child who has fantasized about being on his or her own and overcoming every obstacle. ... Read more

Reviews (86)

What a wonderful book!
It is a book that my teacher make me to read it, it is hard for me at first,but not for now.
It was about four children, Benny, Henry, Violet and Jessie who lost their mom and dad, and they didn't go find their grandpa because they think he will be mean to them. They got only a little money, so Henry go out and work for the doctor. And when the doctor look at the news paper, it said that two boys and two girls was missing, whoever find them will get a lot of money. And he think that it was Henry and his brother and sisters.
One day, Violet was sick, so Henry ran to the doctor and tell him that his sister was very sick. The doctor go to their home and take Violet to his home.
Will the doctor call their grandpa and get the money? And why this story his to do with the boxcar? To find out, read it!

By Billy Hau

I found a passion for reading as a child - it began here..
Before I read the Boxcar Children, in Elementary School, our class would make frequent visits to the library where I would check out books regularly. With the same regularity, however, I would usually turn them in unfinished, or unread altogether. I picked up this book, recommended to me by a teacher in the 3rd grade, and became earnestly engrossed in literature for the first time; I read the book 4 times. The central characters in this book are 4 children of various age, who find what they need to survive without parents to guide their decisions. The young central characters and the vivid descriptions make it easy for young readers to empathize with the children and visualize each event vicariously. The wilderness, the boxcar, the confrontations, the simple yet clever comforts they create for themselves, and the uncertainty of their future are among those things that make this book an enthralling and memorable read. I remember getting a chill at the "finish". A great book and a joy to read.

I recommend The Boxcar Children to all young readers.

Gertrude Warner Museum
I also read this book as a child. I did not put it aside till I was finished. The copy I read was signed by Miss Warner as she had been my mother's teacher. I live in Putnam, CT where Miss Warner lived. The Gertrude Chandler Warner Museum has recently opened in an old boxcar. It has been renovated and sits very near the railroad station she lived near as a child. A google search will bring up some items on the museum. I never met Miss Warner but, by all accounts, she was a wonderful woman.

Fun to read for grown up kids!
When I was nine years old and in fourth grade (never mind how long ago that was) I found THE BOXCAR CHILDREN when the Bookmobile came to our school. I checked it out and started reading it, and couldn't put it down.

About two weeks ago I decided to read it again. I was still taken in and charmed by its ease of reading and its very well-written plot.

It's about four orphaned children who have to fend for themselves and they find and old boxcar in the woods and they use it for shelter and manage to survive -- surprisingly well. The ending is happy, but for the young reader, the plot can keep them on edge until the story is over.

Some might criticize this book as being "dated," but I have found that a good story will come through in spite of the chronological time in which it happenned. For myself, I found it fun and refreshing to read. Things STILL can turn out well.

I'll make a guess that parents who read this story to their children will enjoy it as much as the kids do!

Second Best Book I've Ever Read
This is a great book! Four orphans afraid of their grandfather settle down in an abandoned boxcar. Their names are: Benny, Violet, Jessie, and Henry. When Violet gets hurt they take her to the doctor and discover how kind their grandfather really is.

This book is of a series so if you like this one there are many more. These four chidren solve mysteries with their dog in future books. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

book #8
I love this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Read by Phyllis Newman
two cassettes / two hours 35 mins.

Adventure abounds as the Alden children spend a summer living on their grandfather's island.They display a wealth of confidence in their ability to face life's everyday challenges armed only with their clever inventiveness and the support of eachother.Few subjects are as sure to capture the imaginations of children as the idea of living on their own.A hint of suspense is woven through the story until the mysterious true identity of Joe the handyman is finally revealed. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A fun book for kids!!
The Boxcar Children #2 Suprise Island is a great book for kids and others 15 and under. My favorite part was when the kids found Indian Point and all the artifacts hidden there. After they found all the artifacts they made there own museum. My other favorite part was when the dogs raced each other. When they had to leave they weren't very disspointed because they knew that they were going to come back.The author is such a realistic writer that when you read this book you think that you are there with them.

Full of surprises
I still enjoy these books even though the real thrill of reading them only happens when you're still a child. I remember not liking this one much the first time through, actually, but then a year later or so re-reading it and liking it.

Basically it's a summer of re-living the survival skills of the first book, except they are in a barn on their grandfather's island. A captain and his so-called handyman live close by to help if anything should happen. But the handyman seems to know a lot, and the children find it hard to believe that he's only a handyman.

This book also marks the first appearance of Benny's friend Mike, who plays a pretty important role in some of the books to come. It also hints at the yellow house, which was what spurred the story of the third book (the first real mystery in the series).

Definitely should be read as part of the real Boxcar Children experience - not the foundationless fluff written by various authors of today.

Supurise Island
If you like adventure this is the book for you! This book takes you on a quest to a new land. The Box Car Children always find a way to kepp that book in your hand!!I reccomend this to anybody who like discoveies

Perfect Mystery for People Who Loves Mystery
I have many of the Boxcar children books. They are really colorful on my bookshelf because of the differnt colors of the spines of the books. OK, once you read the first book, you have to read the second one. It is really good for people who are adventurous just like the Boxcar Children. This set of books are perfect for young readers. Parents, These are perfect for your kids. They are short and sweet. I recommend this for children in the Third and Fourth Grades

The Boxcar Children on Suprise Island!
Mysteryous adventures welcome The Boxcar Children to Suprise Island, a mysteryous private island that the children visit in the second book in THE BOXCAR CHILDREN series.

One of the very rare orginal books, truly written by Gurtrude Chandler Warner, it follows the newest adventures of Henery, Jessie, Vilot, and Benny as they attempt to solve the mystery of the island's stranger who cannot reveal his identy to them.... This book is even more gripping and mysteryous than the forerunner, THE BOXCAR CHILDREN, and will delight those who consider themselves friends of the Alden family.

Also Reccomended: The Boxcar Children (#1), The Yellow House Mystery (#3), Mystery Ranch (#4), Mike's Mystery (#5), Blue Bay Mystery (#6), The Woodshed Mystery (#7), The Lighthouse Mystery (#8) Mountian Top Mystery (#9), Schoolhouse Mystery (#10) Caboose Mystery (#11), Houseboat Mystery (#12), Snowbound Mystery (#13), Tree House Mystery (#14), Bicycle Mystery (#15), Mystery in the Sand (#16), Mystery Behind the Wall (#17), Bus Station Mystery (#18), Benny Uncovers a Mystery (#19) ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Benny, Jessie, Henry and Violet teach School?
Schoolhouse Mystery was good. When Benny's friend Max challenges him to go to a little town that he says has no mystery, they ask Elizabeth Gray, who owns the schoolhouse, she lets Benny, Jessie, Violet and Henry be school teachers. One day in school, Benny's student Isabelle tellls him about The Money Man, Mr. Fred Willet, he had traded antiques for money or nice and shiny things. In the schoolhouse there is a painting of George Washington, and on one of his buttons, instead of a button, there is a space. At the end, when John Carter and Benny discover that there is a secret place in the chimney, that Freddy Willet has 3 names and stole schoolroom books and library books. At the end, Freddy gets aressted. If you like mysteries, then this book is for you!

I reccomend highley
This is one of the greatest boxcar children books ever! The kids have a great adventure! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The Lighthouse Mystery
The Lighthouse Mystery

The Lighthouse Mystery is about a family that rents a lighthouse, and they see a lady on the beach every night. At twelve o'clock they here a person down stairs, and the dog, Watch starts barking and doesn't stop. Oh, I almost for got the charectors were Henry the big brother, Violet little sister, Benny little brother , Jessy big sister,Mr Alden the Grandfather, and Larry cook a scary stranger that becomes a friend. I don't know about you, but I loved reading it. It had so much adventure. And it always got more mysterious in each chapter.So if you don't like mysterious things, than you wouldn't want to read this book. But you never know. Your probably asking why I picked this book? Well ill tell you, I like books that have mysterys. If you dont like mysterys than i wouldnt suggest you read this book but if you do like mystery books than you would love this book so i suggest you read it and i hope you will like reading this book and theres what i think.

The Lighthouse Mystery
The story is an adventure because a family moves to a lighthouse for vacations.They tried to be friends with every body,and they tried to solve a mystery.This is a very exciting book.I liked it because it has a lot of things that are cool.So
I recommend it to people and readers because they are gingto love it.It will take a while,but it is a nice story.It takes place on the beach and it's about friendship.

Cool!
This book is exciting! It takes my breath away! SO cool!

Lighthouse Mystery - Intriguing and exciting!
Wow! I love this book! The mystery keeps getting more and more exiting. The first time you read it, you can't put it down! The kids are so great at finding clues! They're like REAL detectives! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

my review
This book was easy and fun to read!I reccomend it to any person or child!

one of the best boks have ever read
The Boxcar Children and the Mystery of the Tree House was a very good book to read. When the Boxcar Children get new neighbors they help them build a tree house. The neighbors have insisted on getting a spy glass for the tree house.When they find the missing spy glass they look through it and find a mysterious room from the people that were there before them. Read this book when you get the chance to you'll love it.

My Daughter Thinks this is Pretty Good
My daughter told me about this book and how she thinks it deserves "4 stars". She said that this book was about the Aldens (also known as the Boxcar Children) and how they get new neighbors. They make friends with the neighbors and start to build a treehouse. They discover something mysterious while looking out of the treehouse. She wants me to read the book to find out what happens. The book didn't deserve a five-star rating because she found it not to be as exciting as she hoped it would be. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Deer-iffic Book
If you love snow, this book is for you. I'll leave the mystery up to you. Anyways, they visit a cabin. Then, after Tom Nelson finds his recipie for his father's secret buns he names it after Benny. Benny's Buns. The recipie is in the book.

Bound for fun
The Snow Boun Mystery is actually my favorite Boxcar Children Book, I'm not kidding either! Once when I ran out of books to read and my Mother refused to take me to the librarie I read the whole book twice. Since I've been reading other childrens mysteries the book is harder for me to remember.Ifeel like reading it right now! some things I remember are that the Aldens Grandfather ,James Alden, has a friend who allows the Alden children his log cabin for some time. Also I remember a grocery store about a mile away and a nice family in which lives there , On the way to bring food to the Aldens one person gets stuck th others get to the Aldens and they get they get that person safe and sound where the family stays untll the storm wore off.There is also apart about finding letters in the attick, apart about Viiolet disapearing, and a part abouta closet near the fire place. I don't want to give all of it away but, it's just hard not to do.Thankyou for your time to read all about this fabulous book! ... Read more

Book Description

2 hours, 47 mins.
2 cassettes
Performance by Phyllis Newman

In this third book from the series, Grandpa Alden tells Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny of the curious circumstances in which the yellow house became vacant over forty years ago.Determined to solve the mystery, the children uncover a trail of clues that leads them to memories of their boxcar days. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great mystery for children
This was the first real mystery story I ever read, when I was about eight or nine years old, and I madly adored it, except that for some reason the part about the grating brick freaked me out. It has never scared any other child I know who read the book, but for some reason after reading that I couldn't go to sleep for a long time many nights! It really is a well-thought-out mystery - I always thought it was, but after it scared me I didn't dare to read it again for years!

But last week I read it again, and enjoyed it very much again. Of course nothing is as exciting to the adult mind in such a book as it is to a child, but I can still see the appeal in the story and get pleasure from reading it all the same.

Basically the story is... Grandfather's "Surprise Island" has a little yellow house on it. The children sense there is a mystery about it, so they ask Grandfather to tell them about it. He says that a man named Bill lived there with his wife. He disappeared one day, presumably with a large amount of money, and no one was ever able to find where he went. But the Boxcar children are always ready for a challenge and they set off to look for Bill.

Excellent story that all boys and girls should read or have read to them.

I have never forgotten the book, neither will my kids.
When I was a child, I had a very hard time concentrating on reading. That was untill my mom entroduced me to the Box car children. I have never forgotten about those kids. It is my favorite child hood story. I always wished that I had have my own box car to go to. I think it the best fantasy land any child could ever enter.

I liked the plot in this story.
I liked the part when Benny found a box of money when he was playing with a frog.I also liked the part when the four childern's grandfather told them a story about when he was a boy. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A great mystery
This book in the Boxcar Children series involves all of thesame characters in the Alden family. In the beginning of the book,the children learn their grandfather will be traveling to Washington, D.C. for business and the children will get to go too. But because the grandfather will be busy during the day he has arranged for the children to stay at a bed and breakfast. While staying at the bed and breakfast the children meet many fascinating characters who all become suspects in the disappearance of items from the bed and breakfast. The children also make friends with a girl named Almira who is being followed by men in dark suits and sunglasses. While you enjoy the mystery you also get some great information about Washington, D.C. The children visit monuments and museums and share with readers some of the wonderful sights they see. It is a great book to read while studying Washington, D.C. in school. I highly recommend it - my third grade class really enjoyed it. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

One of my all-time favourite Boxcar Children adventures
Like "Mike's Mystery", this is a mystery with a solid foundation and never once drags.

I first read it when I was about eight and learnt several things I didn't know before. I learned what ammunition meant. It also was my first introduction to any information about the Revolutionary War.

The story takes place primarily on a farm in New England that dates back to the 1700's. Grandfather and Aunt Jane grew up there, and he buys it back for her to live in. But everyone seems to think something is wrong with the house, and the children set out to find out what it is and clear the air of all secrets. And they are pretty sure the woodshed holds an important clue.

Read this book to your children - I am sure they will like it.

the Boxcar Children #7
Would you think that you would find a trap door in the potato pit in your aunt's basement or in the wood shed in her back yard? Well, the Boxcar Children didn't, but they found the trap doors, they had things from the Revolutionary War! They found strange letters about what was going on in the house during the Revolutionary War! Find out what mysterious things they find!

I think this book is so good because you never know what will happen next, like when the children find the trap door in the woodshed and then they find the trap door in the potato pit! The moral of this story is never play with some thing that isn't yours.

The Boxcar Children and The Wood Shed Mystery
I recently read this book and could barely put it down. The Boxcar Car children find another exciting adventure in of all places a wood shed. As the story progresses they find more and more clues and solve the mystery. I would recommend this book to ANYONE who likes adventure, danger, and excitement! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Go Mike
This, along with The Woodshed Mystery, was my favourite book (not just Boxcar Children, but books in general) for some time. It brings back to life the definite promise of adventure from the third book that slumbered through the fourth, and is one of the most well-laid-out and realistic of the series. At least I've always thought so. :)

We met Mike in "Surprise Island", and here he is back again in the little town that has sprung up around the Aldens' uranium mines. But when his house burns down suspiciously, a mystery follows. I think much of the reason I liked this so much was because the two youngest children, Benny and Mike, were really the main ones solving the mystery, with a bit of help here and there from the elder ones.

Definitely give your children this book. I know they will love it.

This Book Was Great!
This book was a great book. When Mike's house burns down the Alden children hear a rumor that Mike burned his own house down! But the Alden children know he didn't do it. The only reason why I didn't like it is because they only mentioned Snowball once, and I LOVE HORSES and all other animals.

This book was a very interesting book.
One warm night four children stood in front of a bakery. No one knew them. No one where they had come from. Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny used to live alone in a boxcar. Now they have a home with their grandfather and are spending the summer out west on Mystery Ranch. The excitement begins when they meet their old friend, Mike. When Mike is blamed for starting a fire, the Boxcar Children know he's innocent. But can they discover who's really behind Mike's Mystery-before it's too late? I really enjoyed this book there is a lot of mystery in this book. I think that this book is definitely worth reading. "The four Alden children could hardly wait to get back to Mystery Ranch." That's probably the only thing about the book that I don't like. Which is those fake names of ranches or towns or something like that.

This is the greatest book I've ever read.
This book is about four children named Henry,Jessie,Violet,and Benny that help their friend named Mike find out who set his house on fire.They think a man in a blue hat did it but they're not sure.See if you can follow the clues to find out who did it. ... Read more

Book Description

2 hours, 42 mins.
2 cassettes
Performance by Phyllis Newman

The fourth book from the series offers even more mystery.Grandpa Alden's sister Jane is all alone on her ranch out west, and the Alden girls have gone to care for her.When Henry and Benny Alden come to join the girls, the four children find themselves unraveling an intriguing mystery...with some amazing results!
... Read more

Reviews (4)

It's not so mysterious
Why isn't this book as good as the rest? I hated it when i was little, much as I loved the rest of the original series. Years have passed since then and I read it again and it's not so bad. But the other reviewers are correct in the fact that this is no mystery, really.

As for the purpose of this book in the scheme of the entire series, it's actually very important. This book is the important link between books 3 and the rest of the series. This book introduces Aunt Jane, a very important role in the future of the children, and it sets the groundwork for book 5, "Mike's Mystery", which takes place on the same ranch some time later. And book 5 is the springboard for Mike to be more important in later adventures. So there is a purpose to this book.

I can't really recommend it though. But any child who wants to read the whole series should not skip this book - it's still part of the experience, no matter how dull it may seem, and it's really not THAT bad.

What a flop!
This is the most boring book I have ever read! I loved the boxcar children books, and all of them I would rate better the 3 stars, but this one was so borring. MYSTERY ranch? What MYSTERY? The was no mystery in this book at all. The whole thing was just so borring. It's the worst boxcar book I have ever read, and I have read about 42 of their so far 87 books! It's just so borring.

I'll never forget the boringness--oops, I already did. Zzzz
This was the book where the Boxcar Children ate peas for dinner and went to bed at 8:00. They took an entire chapter to plan what they were going to do that day, instead of just doing it. I think this is the right book, but I don't remember because they were all so boring I forgot them. If you are looking for a series for your children to read, I would advise you to keep this out of children's reach. They may need psychiatric treatment after reading this bore of a lifetime. Nothing worth your time is in this book, except that going to bed at 8:00 was a good laugh. --Andy, 12 years old

Your child could do worse than read this book,strictly "okay
"The Mystery Ranch" is part of the Boxcar Children series. In my opinion,it is not as well thought out as the first book,though my 5you loved the whole thing. The children are still very independent,doing things unsupervised that I would never allow my children to do(travelling alone,cooking,shopping.) Of course,that's part of the fun of the Boxcar series. My daughter so identifies with the girls,she wants to BE like them. So,on a too-hot-to-breathe day I might suggest this book,if your kids have nothing better to do. It's not a waste of time,just not the author's best effort ... Read more

Reviews (1)

True Boxcar Children Style...
I felt that this book was written in the true Boxcar Children style. This is one of the original books in the series and has the same wonderful story line. I love the Boxcar children stories and recommend this one along with all the others. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

(...)Amazing Story of the Bicycle Mystery
I thought this was a very good book. When the reader was reading the story I realized that the children in the book were very helpful. I think that this would be a goood book for people to read. This is a good book for children because when they read it it will help them be more respectful when they grow up. So its a good book as you can see.

My Favorite One!
I like this book because I love bycicles. It's neat how they go back and see things they saw in other books. And I wish my dog acted like the little dog Shadow, whom the boxcar children found. It was fun finding out whose dog it was! I would deffinantly recommend this book to anyone, and especially to boxcar children fans. READ THIS BOOK!

Bicycle Shmicycle
This is not a very good book.The plot isn't good and the charoctors are corny.Henry, jessie,Violt and Benny go on a bicycle trip.In the middle of it a rainstorm spoils the fun.So they have to take shelter in an abanded warehouse where they run into a mystery.Beleve me after reading 14 of these you get tired of these mystorys that are strikingly similer. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The chocolate sundae mystery
I read The Chocolate Sundae Mystery.
I thought it was a very good book because it was easy to read. It is a "boxcar children mystery" and the ice cream disappears and all the whipping cream has gone sour in Greenfield. I think 8 to 13 ages should read it.

Excellent Mystery.
THE CHOCOLATE SUNDAE MYSTERY is the second best Boxcar Children book besides THE HOME RUN MYSTERY & THE MYSTERY IN THE EMPTY SAFE. I can't decide between those two. I love the excitement and suspense. I was mad when my dad said it was time to go to bed right at the climax. A+

NATALIE'S Review
Dear Reader,

The Chocolate Sundae Mystery is a great book! It is the best mystery book ever! My favorite character is Jessie. You will never forget this book! These mysteries are very thrilling! You will love it!

Enjoy,

Natalie

Thrilling and Exitingly good
This book is awsome. There is alot of suspence. I think it is the best boxcar children book of them all. The kids get a summer job at an icecream shop. When strange things start happening they dig deeper. This is a good book I recomend it.

What this book is about.
A new man owns the ice cream parlor. The Aldens notice that the ice cream isn't as good as it used to be so they ended up helping run the ice cream parlor. But things keep disapearing. Who is taking them and why? You'll have to read this wonderful book to find out ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Mystery Again!
Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny used to live alone in a boxcar. Now they have a home with their grandfather, and are going to visit their cousins Joe and Alice. To the children's delight, Joe and Alice live near a wonderful amusment park. The park holds everuthing the Boxcar Children could ask for- a beautiful merry-go-round, lots of rides and games, all the cotton candy they can eat... and a mystery.

The Best Book
I forget pretty much of this book but I remebered it was the first Boxcar Children book I read and it brought me into liking the Boxcar Children. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Mountain Top Mystery(Number 9)
The boxcar children are on another adventure. This time they go hiking. Benny suddenly finds a hole. Is it just a hole or is it a cave? Find out when you read this book.

An adventure with mysterious twists and turns
The Boxcar children embark on another adventure only to run into trouble and then mystery atop a New England mountaintop. The mystery comes in the form of the whereabouts of a long-lost treasure that they learn about from an old Indian woman who says her grandfather hid it. The story takes a touching twist when the children meet a young Indian boy who also is looking for the treasure that he thinks belongs to him as the last member of the tribe to possess the secret goods. You'll be surprised by who eventually finds the treasure and what happens to each of the characters.

It stunk
It really stunk. I've read other Boxcar Children books, but this stunk

It's a great Book
Henry, Benny, Jessie, violet and Grandpa are five people going mountain climbing. While they were there something unexpected happened.They spent the night and rescue came to help them.They go through many mysteries in this book.They meet two indians.It's a great book.I loved it. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A great mystery for kids
Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny are taking a trip downriver in a houseboat! But along the way, many mysterious things happen. The Aldens have solved mysteries before, but can they sove this one? I would recommend this book for kids ages 5-14.

A good review
This was a good book to read. I read this book recently. I have never lived on a houseboat but I have been in several boats. This book was completely different from the previous book in the series. The first book was good because I was in the age group when I had the book read to me by my school teacher.

Wonderful for younger kids!
Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny are taking a trip downriver in a houseboat! But along the way, many mysterious things happen. The Aldens have solved mysteries before, but can they sove this one? I would recommend this book for kids ages 5-9. They can follow the Aldens along for all of their mysteries, making friends, and giving help to everyone!

This book was good, but some of her others were better.
This book was incredably interesting but i do like the one titled "The Amusement Park Mystery" better.I belive someone other than herself wrote that story after the origional author passed away.I hope the new mystery writers keep on writing the box car mysteries cuz i wanna be a writer!!

My first experience with the boxcar children
The Houseboat Mystery was the first book that I read in The Boxcar Children Mysteries series. I began reading these books when I was nine and continued to do so throughout my fourth grade year. These are excellent books for children in this age group. Boys and girls alike should enjoy them. I'm twenty five now and can still remember these fascinating stories. I remember that after I had read all of the books in this series that my school library had to offer, I was stuck on mystery books. I read mystery titles from other authors that my library had in stock, but none compared to these. I wish that I could thank the author personally. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

the best boxcar children book ever!!!!!!!!!!!!
okay, if you are looking for the best boxcar children book ever, this is it!!!!!! i LOVED this book! o wish i still had it! (PARENTS: DO NOT CONVINCE YOUR CHILDREN TO GET RID OF THEIR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD BOOKS!!!!!!!!!) this book is wonderful. i still remember the first time i read it: SPOILERS! and they finally figured out that behind the house meant behind the house PICTURE, which was in the little girl's room, if i remember correctly. and there was the whole coin collection! i love those alden kids! they are so self-reliable! yes, i am 19, almost 20, and haven't probabley read this book in seven years, but i still remember it, thats how good this ONE boxcar children book was!

The Box Car Children Rock!
Henry, Jeessie, Violet, and Benny's parn\ents died and they end up living in a box car from an old train. They could have gone to their grandpa, but they thought he was mean. Then finally when Henry was working, he heard that his grandpa was looking for them. So Henry told the news to the lthers and they decided to go and live with their grandfather. One day Benny found a diary and the mystery began. They found out that the diary was a little girl's. They found the diary behind the wall with some coins. How Benny found was by having an idea to put a hole in the wall and a bell to wake Benny or Rory up. That's when Benny found the dairy when he was working on his idea.

There's A Wall Of Mystery!
I finished this book in like 30 minutes. It was so good! Benny invites a friend from Canada to come and they try to communicate through cups on a string through the wall.They find a journal with some strange coins. I liked this book and you will, too.

The Mystery Behind The Wall
Book Review

The title of this book is Mystery Behind the Wall. The author of this book is Gertrude Chandler Warner who likes to write mystery books. This story will tell you how Benny, Jessie, Violet, and Benny discover a very old mystery that a girl decided to do for her father. Accidentally, the four children including Rory, a Canadian boy end up getting involved in the mystery. The only thing that's keeping them from solving this mystery is that it was written so long ago.
Benny and Rory are always taking a bigger step forward, and are definitely the most likeable people you can imagine. Violet is always seeking a way to be a hand to her brothers', sister, and their friend Rory. Henry and Jessie are sometimes giving up on this hard mystery.... What the author was trying to get to the reader was "don't give up, try 3 times harder." The thing that I liked the most was how the author always made the theme stand out through the book. Sometimes during the book the author went off the subject, which disappointed me a little. The ending showed just about everything you would need to know how the book would end.
The author mainly kept the reader in suspense almost the whole way through the book. The author will give you all you need to know to comprehend the book. There were only a few words someone under 13 might not understand. I liked the way the author always kept you in suspense and you always find out after she (author) told you everything. I would strongly recommend an age level of 8-19. I think anyone under 8 might mot understand the words and give up. The reason why I said 19 should be the highest because many young adults still like mystery books. Maybe people over 19 might go to mysteries that are more complicated. I would recommend this book for anyone, because you can really understand the book and always get interested in The Mystery Behind The Wall. Five Stars.

CAW

Great book! probably my favorite of the Boxcar Children
I am 15 and no longer own any of the Boxcar Children books. When I was younger, probably only 3 years ago (sorry I don't really remember), I owned probably every single one that was out. I LOVED the Boxcar Children, as did all of my brothers and sisters (I'm the youngest of 5). I can't speak for my siblings, but "Mystery Behind the Wall" was probably my favorite. Let me add that the only mystery I didn't like was "Surprise Island" which I found slow and dry. I read these books thousands of times, and found them all interesting. From "The Yellow House Mystery" to "The Bicycle Mystery" to "The Amusement Park Mystery" to "Mystery in San Francisco", all of the books were easy to get into and edgy. Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny were likable and good detectives. No matter how old they were in the books, they were always the heroes, no matter how old the reader was. I recommend these books to anybody! I still read them when I can get ahold of one! ... Read more