The Bobbsey Twins on a Houseboat

Original Bobbsey Twins #6

by Laura Lee Hope

Join the Bobbseys as they set sail on a houseboat -- where mystery and intrigue await!

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Fiction, Classics, Young Adult, Ebooks, Adventure

244 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1915

About the author

Laura Lee Hope is a pseudonym used by the Stratemeyer Syndicate for the Bobbsey Twins and several other series of children's novels. Actual writers taking up the pen of Laura Lee Hope include Edward Stratemeyer, Howard and Lilian Garis, Elizabeth Ward, Harriet (Stratemeyer) Adams, Andrew E. Svenson, June M. Dunn, Grace Grote and Nancy Axelrad.

Laura Lee Hope was first used in 1904 for the debut of the Bobbsey Twins, the principal characters of what was, for many years, the Stratemeyer Syndicate's longest-running series of children's novels. Other series written under this pseudonym include: The Outdoor Girls (23 vols. 1913-1933), The Moving Picture Girls (7 vols. 1914-1916), Bunny Brown (20 vols. 1916-1931), Six Little Bunkers (14 vols. 1918-1930), Make Believe Stories (12 vols. c. 1920-1923), and Blythe Girls (12 vols. 1925-1932).

The first of the 72 books of the Bobbsey Twins series was published in 1904, the last in 1979. The books related the adventures of the children of the middle-class Bobbsey family, which included two sets of mixed-gender fraternal twins: Bert and Nan, who were 12 years old, and Flossie and Freddie, who were six.

Edward Stratemeyer himself is believed to have written the first volume in its original form in 1904. When the original series was brought to its conclusion in 1979, it had reached a total of 72 volumes. At least two abortive attempts to restart the series were launched after this, but in neither effort was the popularity of the original series achieved.

Speculation that Stratemeyer also wrote the second and third volumes of the series is believed to be incorrect; these books are now attributed to Lilian Garis, wife of Howard Garis, who is credited with volumes 4–28 and 41. Elizabeth Ward is credited with volumes 29–35, while Harriet Stratemeyer Adams is credited with 36–38, 39 (with Camilla McClave), 40, 42, 43 (with Andrew Svenson), and 44–48. Volumes 49–52 are attributed to Andrew Svenson, while 53–59, and the 1960s rewrites of 1–4, 7, 11–13, and 17, are attributed to June Dunn. Grace Grote is regarded as the real author of 60–67 and the rewrites of 14 and 18–20, and Nancy Axelrad is credited with 68–72. Of the 1960s rewrites not already mentioned, volumes 5 and 16 are credited to Mary Donahoe, 6 and 25 to Patricia Doll, 8–10 and 15 to Bonnibel Weston, and 24 to Margery Howard.

--from Wikipedia

Reviews

[Anubha (BooksFullOfLife, LifeFullOfBooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a light read, a nostalgic one a family with two pair of twins with the parents having a good time at a houseboat, the house cook was so sweet too, and oh so caring! I liked all other characters it actually reminded me of childhood as I read books like these in school. I would love it more if it had a mystery element but yes this did deal with child labour and abuse. Those are important concepts too.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr. Bobbsey has bought a houseboat for the summer vacation, and the Bobbsey twins travel up the river on their way to visit Lake Romano and the beautiful waterfall there. Along the way, they meet a young boy who is beaten by his employer, and Mr. Bobbsey tries to stop the man from mistreating the boy. However, the man exacts his revenge by fencing off his portion of the river so that the Bobbsey houseboat can't pass through his land on the way to the lake! The Bobbsey twins will have to figure out some way to help the boy and get their houseboat past this obstacle.

I used to love these books when I was a girl. The writing is very simple and the plot is straight-forward. Not much really happens. It's mostly peaceful and happy with little adventures that resolve quickly. Just right for little readers.

Of course, the setting reflects an older time when gender stereotypes and racism was the norm. It is terrible, but I think it's an important look at history to see how certain ideas were considered normal at one time, although they are known to be offensive now. It might be a good conversation to have with a child about how the only true moral compass that can be trusted to stand the test of time is the Bible.

[Laura Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have the 1955 edition which doesn't seem to be listed on Goodreads.

The twins' cousins are back for another appearance.

This "purple" edition features a more outdated story and illustrations (one of a handful in the "purple" editions) which made the story less enjoyable for me. I did not like it as much as previous stories and really never warmed to the character of Captain McGinty.

I did like that Mr. Bobbsey seemed to play a bigger role than he normally does. Also, I decided to boost the rating by a star because this is one of the few Bobbsey Twins books which addresses a serious topic (child abuse). Too bad more cases in real life don't have happy endings like the one in the book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was a kid (in the 80s) I read my mom’s old Bobbsey Twins books (that she got in the 50s). The Bobbsey Twins on a Houseboat was my favorite one. I read it on my Kindle and I could’ve sworn I smelled the old book smell while I read it. Crazy how smell memories work. There are some cringy things in this book (mainly due to when it was written), but the story is fun and I still enjoyed it all these years later.

[Denise Spicer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura Lee Hope cover jacket by Nostalgia Image
22 chapters 209 pages uncredited b/w front piece
More excitement for the Bobbsey Family in this sixth episode of the classic series. They buy a houseboat and spend their summer vacation on it. Mr. and Mrs. Bobbsey, the older twins Bert an Nan, the younger twins, Freddie and Flossie, their cousins Henry and Dorothy have lots of adventures. The usual antics with pets Snap and Snoop, strange noises and a ghost?

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was another delightful tale of the Bobbsey Twins and their adventures. In this story, the set out on their new houseboat for their summer vacation. They encounter a mean farmer, a mystery of disappearing food, and a your boy who has been mistreated. All in all another cute, sweet, and old-fashioned story.

I must say I have been so surprised at the number of reviews that say that this series is racist. However, I think I finally understand what they are talking about. The cook and her husband are very uneducated, which at first seems to put them in a bad light, but I think that people have it wrong. I think the people that they really shame, is the culture of the time. Blacks were not given the opportunity to get a good education therefore how could they be expected to talk like an educated person. We may not like the fact that there was a time when African-American's were treated this way, but it is a fact. To pretend it didn't happen, and to pretend that we have they have always been educated is unfair to both us and the African-American community.

This series captures a long ago era in a charming way.

[Peggy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow - these are so dated. But I read them as a kid -- they were old then! and it was fun to look through one again. Children's lit has come a long way. I miss the family values that these books espoused; the kids were so darned polite!

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seemed idyllic to me when I read it as a kid.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

My children would probably give this 4.5 stars, but it really is absurd that all of those things could possibly happen! I say this in good humor. The author really packed it in there. It mentions a boy getting beaten by his step father. It is not looked on positively and the situation gets remedied, but I’m thankful I was not reading that allowed to my foster children or that would not of gone over very well— even though it had a good outcome.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book six in the series and this one for the plot see the title b because that is what it is about, there are all sorts of adventures along the way, the kids are both annoying and endearing.
The old style phonetic writing of the black characters speech is somewhat jarring and awkward, but overall it is a decent kids read.
Average fair.
Bobbsey Twins #6
Laura Lee Hope #6

[Wintermote · Rating 3 out of 5]

The handling of the Native American artifacts/discovery, etc was not really appropriate with our current awareness of the damages done to native peoples. (Yes, I realize this book was written for a different generation, but feel this is important for readers to know if/when recommending to children).

[Dominique · Rating 4 out of 5]

The houseboat was really cool, but I thought that they would just stay on the boat and keep going, only stopping at the water fall to explore. Also, I did not like the captain in the beginning because I thought he was mean.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up on the Bobbsey Twins and this was one I never owned so only read it in 4th and 5th grade because my school library had it. I love these stories. Because it's been so long I see how dated they are but oh such a sweet family story.

[Erin Rogoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother read me the Bobbsey Twins mysteries when I was growing up, and I fell in love with the G-rated, kids-growing-up mysteries of a vintage era. I hope to read all the Bobbsey Twins mysteries to my own kids. This series is perfect to read at any age.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Also I'd have loved to see a crossover with Bobbsey Twins and the Aldens. That would have been one epic houseboat trip!

[Arlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read these books as a child 1950’s

[Marti Martinson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Elitist, racist, and patriarchal. I had never read one of these but thought it was time. Pretty sure I won't be reading another one.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting young adult book. Nice and clean

[Lidik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember liking this one more for some reason that I’ve forgotten

[Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

i liked it

[LibraryCin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The Bobbseys have two set of twins. Bert and Nan are 9-years old and Flossie and Freddie are 5. When they find out their father has bought a houseboat, they are excited to go on a trip! Shortly before they leave, they meet Will, a boy who works for a farmer a little ways away.

This was cute and fun! (And quick, at less than 100 pages.) I'm sure I read a book or two about the Bobbsey twins when I was younger; I believe my grandma had one or two books. There is a situation in the book that makes it a little more interesting beyond the day-to-day playing the twins do on land and on the houseboat. It's amazing that this book was written 100 years ago this year. I think this series (or at least this book, and likely the series) really holds up to the test of time.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read every Bobbsey Twins adventures I could get my hands on from the age of 9 through 11. Summers were wonderful and I could borrow from the library and read these books. I could borrow 8 books every 2 weeks. Soon, I needed more than that and had to fight the librarian for more books. Now, I can do 8 books in a day.

[Darby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I spent a week or more at my Grandparents during the summer. They had all the Bobbsey Twin books and many Nancy Drew books. So I would lay in my Grandmother's garden and read. I remember enjoy all of the adventure of the Bobbsey Twins.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like reading Bobbsey Twins books once in awhile. The oldest versions (available as ebooks through the Gutenberg project) are always more interesting because of some of the racial stereotypes once apparently commonplace in children's books haven't been edited out, as they are in the newer ones.

[Elizabeth]

I recently got a Kindle Fire and then happened upon a free e-book version of this Bobbsey Twins book. I used to LOVE the Bobbsey Twins so, despite the fact that this book is now far below my reading level, I thoroughly enjoyed returning to the friends of my childhood!

[Erin Goettsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't actually read this Bobbsey Twins book (although I totally would again!) - just adding it as a Goodreads placeholder for a beta read of a new novel that took place on a houseboat. I sort of loved the houseboat.

[for-much-deliberation ... · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first Bobbsey Twins read, so I guess it was my first adventure with them!

[Cathy]

Is this the same Bobbsey Twins from my childhood? Oh, I went on so many adventures between the pages of those books!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the Bobsey twins when I was maybe 8 to 10 years old. We probably had twenty books or so, but I only remember a couple well.

[Linda Aranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blast from the past!!