The Cereal Box Mystery

The Boxcar Children #65

by Gertrude Chandler Warner

When the Alden children set out to solve a jewelry store robbery, they find they must also deal with a mysterious thief who steals cereal

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Chapter Books, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller

111 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

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

[Joseph D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 65 of the Boxcar Children series. Ok, before you begin rolling your eyes and thinking what in the world. This was actually a good one and although the gist of the book is not about cereal, the boxes do make an appearance. I actually find this quite a clever title because what kid out there doesn’t like cereal? Above that the mystery is pretty straightforward without actually giving any of the plot away.

Joseph McKnight
http://www.Josephmcknight.com

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was a little boring at the beginning, but it got more and more interesting as the mystery went on.

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Cereal Box Mystery," part of Gertrude Chandler Warner's beloved Boxcar Children series, offers a cozy blend of mystery and family adventure, perfect for young readers. The story follows the Alden children—Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny—as they stumble upon a perplexing case involving a local antique store burglary and a bizarre theft at their own home.

Henry, the eldest, is the responsible and level-headed leader, whose practicality and resourcefulness guide the younger children. Jessie, the second oldest, is the caretaker of the group, known for her intelligence and organizational skills, which prove invaluable in piecing together clues. Violet, the gentle artist, brings a keen eye for detail and a sensitive perspective to their investigations. Benny, the youngest, is enthusiastic and curious, though sometimes impulsive. His love for cereal becomes surprisingly central to the mystery. The children's strengths and weaknesses balance each other, creating a cohesive and effective detective team. Their relationship is built on mutual respect and affection, driving them to solve mysteries together while supporting each other's personal growth.

One of the central themes in "The Cereal Box Mystery" is the importance of family and teamwork. The Alden children rely on each other's strengths to overcome obstacles and solve the mystery. Their close bond allows them to communicate effectively, trust each other's instincts, and work together towards a common goal. This theme highlights the idea that even the most challenging problems can be tackled successfully with the support and collaboration of loved ones. The novel underscores that family isn't just about blood relations but also about the emotional connections and shared experiences that bind people together.

Another significant theme is resourcefulness and self-reliance. The Alden children often find themselves in situations where they must use their ingenuity to solve problems. Whether it's gathering clues, creating makeshift tools, or navigating unfamiliar environments, they demonstrate an impressive ability to make the most of what they have. This theme encourages young readers to develop their problem-solving skills and to understand that resourcefulness can be a valuable asset in overcoming challenges. The Aldens' independence and ability to think on their feet inspire readers to embrace their own creativity and adaptability.

The tone of the novel is gentle and reassuring, typical of the Boxcar Children series. Warner's writing is straightforward and accessible, making it easy for young readers to follow along. The mystery is engaging without being overly suspenseful, ensuring that the story remains appropriate for its target audience. The Alden children's adventures are portrayed with a sense of warmth and nostalgia, creating a comforting reading experience. The book's tone reinforces the values of kindness, honesty, and perseverance, making it a wholesome and enjoyable read for children.

In conclusion, "The Cereal Box Mystery" is a delightful read that combines elements of mystery, adventure, and family values. The Alden children's teamwork, resourcefulness, and strong moral compass make them excellent role models for young readers. The book's gentle tone and engaging plot create a comforting and enjoyable reading experience. If you enjoyed this book, you might also like "The Mystery of the Hidden Painting" by Carolyn Keene, which features similar themes of mystery-solving and teamwork.

[Annie Flanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is #65

The book was very amusing. Yes - in a round about way - it does involve boxes of cereal - Benny's favorite cereal - the cereal that he hopes to eat enough of to get stars so that he can get a detective badge.

But, then again - it is Not really about cereal at all - but about the theft of Ruby jewelry and how the jewelry is found.

[Cherish Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4☆ Would recommend)
I loved these books as a kid & I'm really enjoying reading through the series again. I liked the mystery & the suspense. I like how there is more than one possible suspect, who each have reasonable motive. Would recommend.

[Kara Kuehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed figuring out this mystery way before they did. ;)

[Charles Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

68%

This was the most direct mystery to date

[Winona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its great and i like it.

[Kim Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a particularly good book in the series because it was a little bit unique compared to some of the others.

[Mandy]

The kids love these books so much.

[Milan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading Boxcar Children books when I was younger, and I still really enjoyed reading the books being older now. I like that in this particular story there are two mysteries that tie together that the children try to solve. Being older now I realized the kids miss a lot of obvious clues, but for a younger audience, that is a good thing because it gives kids and young readers a chance to learn about foreshadowing and it helps them try to come up with some conclusions on their own.

[Ruthie]

Interesting but they always miss ovbiously clues

ans they have like in the first book benny is 6 Violet is 10 Jessie is 12 and henery is 14 and can drive and in the last book they are all the same ages !! weird i know~!!!!!!

[Gabe Dalrymple · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book.

[Cori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read May 12, 2019

[Aubrie Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an amazing children's book. Great characters and great mystery!

[Rebecca]

One of my favorite childhood series. I read over a hundred of them. The first 50 or so were in order; after that I read whatever book I could get my hands on :)

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery was easier to solve, I don't know what took the kids so long, geesh stupid kids. lol jk calm down.

[Gillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the author could do a little better.