The Boxcar Children Bookshelf (Books #1-12)

The Boxcar Children #1-12

by Gertrude Chandler Warner

A deluxe Boxcar bookcase that contains 12 titles—The Boxcar Children Mysteries #1 through #12. Also included are Boxcar activities, poster, and accordion bookmark with title checklist. The bookcase can expand to hold up to 32 books.

Genres: Childrens, Mystery, Fiction, Young Adult, Juvenile, Classics, Middle Grade

1440 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 1996

About the author

Gertrude Chandler Warner was born in Putnam, Connecticut, on April 16, 1890, to Edgar and Jane Warner. Her family included a sister, Frances, and a brother, John. From the age of five, she dreamed of becoming an author. She wrote stories for her Grandfather Carpenter, and each Christmas she gave him one of these stories as a gift. Today, Ms. Warner is best remembered as the author of THE BOXCAR CHILDREN MYSTERIES.

As a child, Gertrude enjoyed many of the things that girls enjoy today. She loved furnishing a dollhouse with handmade furniture and she liked to read. Her favorite book was ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Often on Sundays after church, Gertrude enjoyed trips to visit her grandparents' farm. Along the way, she and Frances would stop to pick the wildflowers they both loved. Gertrude's favorite flower was the violet.

Her family was a very musical one. They were able to have a family orchestra, and Gertrude enjoyed playing the cello. Her father had brought her one from New York ---a cello, a bow, a case and an instruction book. All together, he paid $14. Later, as an adult, she began playing the pipe organ and sometimes substituted for the church organist.

Due to ill health, Ms. Warner never finished high school. She left in the middle of her second year and studied with a tutor. Then, in 1918, when teachers were called to serve in World War I, the school board asked her to teach first grade. She had forty children in the morning and forty more in the afternoon. Ms. Warner wrote, "I was asked or begged to take this job because I taught Sunday School. But believe me, day school is nothing like Sunday School, and I sure learned by doing --- I taught in that same room for 32 years, retiring at 60 to have more time to write." Eventually, Ms. Warner attended Yale, where she took several teacher training courses.

Once when she was sick and had to stay home from teaching, she thought up the story about the Boxcar Children. It was inspired by her childhood dreams. As a child, she had spent hours watching the trains go by near her family's home. Sometimes she could look through the window of a caboose and see a small stove, a little table, cracked cups with no saucers, and a tin coffee pot boiling away on the stove. The sight had fascinated her and made her dream about how much fun it would be to live and keep house in a boxcar or caboose. She read the story to her classes and rewrote it many times so the words were easy to understand. Some of her pupils spoke other languages at home and were just learning English. THE BOXCAR CHILDREN gave them a fun story that was easy to read.

Ms. Warner once wrote for her fans, "Perhaps you know that the original BOXCAR CHILDREN. . . raised a storm of protest from librarians who thought the children were having too good a time without any parental control! That is exactly why children like it! Most of my own childhood exploits, such as living in a freight car, received very little cooperation from my parents."

Though the story of THE BOXCAR CHILDREN went through some changes after it was first written, the version that we are familiar with today was originally published in 1942 by Scott Foresman. Today, Albert Whitman & Company publishes this first classic story as well as the next eighteen Alden children adventures that were written by Ms. Warner.

Gertrude Chandler Warner died in 1979 at the age of 89 after a full life as a teacher, author, and volunteer for the American Red Cross and other charitable organizations. After her death, Albert Whitman & Company continued to receive mail from children across the country asking for more adventures about Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny Alden. In 1991, Albert Whitman added to THE BOXCAR CHILDREN MYSTERIES so that today's children can enjoy many more adventures about this independent and caring group of children.

Books about Gertrude: https://www.goodreads.com/characters/...

Reviews

[Kaiden Aibhne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was glad to have the chance to read this childhood classic. While I found the characters to be somewhat passive at times, the stories were diverting and fun. I am left with the mystery of why the children were afraid of their grandfather, as the reason their parents did not have a relationship with him is left unclear.

[Nicole Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite children's series! I'm so excited to re-read it with my children!

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved these books when I was younger!

[Married To Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't actually read this book, I am only marking it for a fanfic I read "All I have".
Such a delight it was, not everything met my expectations but it was still beautiful and what I needed after arcane finale ToT

[Alana Bursey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up reading these books every evening and loved them! So many fun adventures.

[Alexandra]

12/1/17 $.99 for Kindle.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, fun and mysteries suitable for any child.

These were childhood favorites and it was great fun to read them again. I always admired the Aldens' ingenuity and kindness to others.

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved these books as a child, so I was very happy to find out they were available on Kindle!

[Yalda Azizi · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A difficult start leading to a remarkable outcome”
Summary: The Boxcar Children is a book that every reader will fall in love with. That’s a long story but interesting that reflects the lives of 4 orphan kids who lost their parents. And they think their grandfather is mean to them.
Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book I will never tire of re-reading it. This story shows how 4 kids are brief and care for each other. And how in difficult times they are together. at general this story keeps audiences engaged and because of that story is very intriguing. The plot and catheters are developed and that shows the strong power of the author. In none of its sections, you don’t see any counseling. At the beginning was sad and tearful in the middle became hopeful. But the ending was an awesome story ended with happiness and after hardships and sacrifices those 4 kids found a new life and a very nice life with their grandfather.
Closing statement: overall, this is a great book inspiring for every individual. Especially those looking for a motive book to inspire them and make them ready for hard circumstances. Highly recommended

[Kathleen]

I have a kindle edition - Books #1-12. Not sure if the above edition is correct, but I have the ebook.

From wikipedia:
"The Boxcar Children is a children's book series originally created and written by the American first-grade school teacher Gertrude Chandler Warner and currently published by Penguin Random House. It was previously published through Albert, Whitman and Company until 2023. Today, the series includes more than 160 titles, with more being released every year. The series is aimed at readers in grades 2–6." WOW, I have a lot to read!!!!!

The New York Book Review (Sunday, March 17, 2024) highlighted the book. "The Boxcar Children," will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a special anniversary edition in the fall, published Penguin Random House) The article: Childrens Books: It Was Always about the Food - written by Anna Holmes. The link: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/15/bo...

[Jennalee · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ The first book in this series was one of my favorite books when I was in elementary school. I remember checking it out from the school library multiple times. I loved that the family was two boys and two girls, just like my family. And they built a swimming pool? How fun! As an adult I appreciated the tight knit connection of the siblings and how they take care of each other. The writing is very different (a little stilted and slightly archaic) from what I am used to today, but it is completely endearing. It was fun to take a trip down memory lane and reread the first book.

[Jen Burman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dddddsseeer ggghjgg. Ggrgyhh and I am a good friend to be the only person I

We are the best of all you have ever seen the best and the boys are the boys you have the boys to look for them boys you can do that to them and they can be your best friends for them and you can do that for you and you can

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Childhood favorites

My 4th grade teacher introduced her students to Warner's Boxcar Children many, many years ago during her after-lunch read alouds. These sweet books took me back to a simpler time. I love the resourcefulness of the Alden children and their grand sense of adventure.

[Kathleen Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and delightful

Easy read and totally delightful and entertaining! I totally enjoyed going back to a gentler time. Loved the interaction between siblings and also interaction with their grandfather.

[Sherry and John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great clean uplifting reading.

These books were truly enjoyable. They held my attention and I loved all the storylines. Great character is displayed by the family and kids. I also used these as a read aloud with my children.

[Cedric · Rating 5 out of 5]

They’re amazing. They go on so many adventures and they find so many clues and so many different questions. Sometimes they’re queer, sometimes they’re amazing, sometimes they can be like, “Uh oh. What’s about to happen next?” and then right away you realize that it will go right in the end.

[G.E. Perlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the very book that got me into reading. As a young boy, this book captured me and I loved it. Heck, I'd even read it again as an adult.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite series as a child!

[Skylar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what really what got me into reading like in 5th grade. Great books all over!
I read them so many times

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun

I love these stories. I was re-reading the series and they are just as much fun as I recall them being.

[Asabea]

ok

[Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had been a reader in my youth. These are GREAT stories. Not only for adventure but also for an insight to a to the life of an active family.

[Edison]

I want to read this book

[Lulu]

Great book series for 3rd graders

[Amber Summers-snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this as a child and it may have spurred my interest in reading

[Elizabeth H]

Oliver 💚

[Angie Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids and I love listening to these books in the car while we are running errands. Brings me back to my childhood when I would devour them. I’m so glad my kids love them too

[Bobbie]

I believe the writer did a very good job. I have read these over several times. It identified with my life. I had a uncle and aunt who took us in when we did not have anywhere to go...

[William V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

it's ok and this could be 1 of my favorite book so 5 stars ok it was really good
So have every kid is ok

[Daysha Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

my favorite book in the world