The Basketball Mystery

The Boxcar Children #68

by Gertrude Chandler Warner, Charles Tang (Illustrator)

The Boxcar Children join a basketball team and are thrilled to find out the famous Buzz and Tipper Nettleton are their coaches! But when practice schedules get mixed up, and Tipper's Most Valuable Player trophy goes missing, the Aldens know there's been foul play. Can they find the culprit?

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Fiction, Audiobook, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Sports

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

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

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Basketball Mystery" sees the Alden children diving into the world of sports, specifically basketball, when they join a local team coached by the famous Buzz and Tipper Nettleton. The story kicks off with excitement as the Aldens adjust to their new roles on the team. However, things quickly take a mysterious turn when practice schedules are inexplicably mixed up, causing confusion and raising suspicions. The stakes rise dramatically when Tipper Nettleton's prized MVP trophy vanishes, setting the Aldens on a quest to uncover the truth behind these strange events.

Each of the Alden children brings a unique set of skills and personality traits to the investigation. Henry, the eldest, offers a level-headed approach, using his maturity to guide the group's efforts. Violet's gentle nature and keen observation skills allow her to notice subtle clues that others might miss. Jessie's practicality and resourcefulness are invaluable in piecing together the puzzle, while Benny's enthusiasm and curiosity often lead the group down unexpected paths. The dynamic between the siblings is a strength, as they rely on each other's strengths and compensate for their individual flaws. Their bond is tested as they navigate the competitive world of basketball and the challenges of solving a mystery, but their loyalty to each other remains unwavering.

Several subplots and secondary characters add depth to the story. The introduction of rival players and other members of the basketball team creates a complex web of relationships and potential suspects. These secondary characters each have their own motivations and secrets, adding layers of intrigue to the mystery. The subplot involving the mixed-up practice schedules adds another layer of complexity, suggesting that someone is deliberately trying to sabotage the team. The relationships between the Alden children and the Nettleton coaches also play a significant role in the story. As the Aldens work closely with Buzz and Tipper, they develop a sense of admiration and respect for their coaches, further motivating them to solve the mystery and protect Tipper's reputation.

One of the central themes of "The Basketball Mystery" is the importance of teamwork and cooperation. As the Aldens work together to solve the mystery, they learn to rely on each other's strengths and support each other's weaknesses. This theme is mirrored in the context of the basketball team, where the players must work together to achieve their goals. The book also explores the theme of sportsmanship and fair play. The Aldens are committed to playing by the rules and respecting their opponents, even when faced with challenges and setbacks. This theme is reinforced by the contrast between the Aldens' ethical behavior and the actions of the culprit, who resorts to dishonest tactics to gain an advantage. Another prominent theme in the book is the value of perseverance and determination. Despite facing numerous obstacles and dead ends, the Aldens never give up on their quest to solve the mystery. They remain committed to uncovering the truth, even when it seems like an impossible task. This theme is particularly relevant to young readers, as it encourages them to persevere in the face of challenges and to never lose sight of their goals.

In closing, "The Basketball Mystery" is an engaging and entertaining read that combines the excitement of sports with the intrigue of a classic mystery. Gertrude Chandler Warner weaves together a compelling plot, relatable characters, and timeless themes to create a story that will appeal to readers of all ages. If you enjoyed this book, you might also like other mystery series such as "The Hardy Boys" or "Nancy Drew," which offer similar themes of adventure, friendship, and problem-solving.

[Joseph D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 68 of the Boxcar Children. What could jealousy drive you to do? This is an example of what pride could drive someone to do. This is a seemingly inconsequential mystery however how much can a person justify doing? If you think about it a little deeper you can see a very good lesson in this one. ​

Joseph McKnight
http://www.Josephmcknight.com

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Famous twin ball players visit to help coach the basketball teams, but something mysterious is afoot. The BCs are here to save the day. Oh and cheaters never win!

[Donna DiPetrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it

I wonder still why it always make me feel why when I finishes a boxcar children keep reading 📚 forever

[Jeremiah L Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow amazing book(◍•ᴗ•◍)❤(●♡∀♡)(●♡∀♡)

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie gives it 3 but almost 4.

[Charles Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

84%

Lots of misdirection in this one! Not a mystery book exactly

[Kim Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mystery was slightly predictable in this one but it was still a great story.

[Andrea Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute mystery! This plot was good with plenty of surprises. The characters were well developed. I loved the drama and tension!

[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.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was okay. I don't really read this series anymore.

[Partridge Public]

Warner, Gertrude C.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

great when ur little

[Mas5thgrade2014 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but I think that it need's a bit more of a plot.
KittyKatLove1313

[Engi Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

YAhOO great mystery

I love this basketball mystery! And I consider it a great one! YAHOO!!! great book!! This was an awesome, amazing book!!!

[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 :)

[Awat · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book its important for me

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is goo what do you think ?????????????????