The Boxcar Children Review

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

Albert Whitman & Company has been creating beautiful books for the last 100 years! Recently, they released “The Boxcar Children” series, originally written by Gertrude Chandler Warner in 1924. I vaguely remember hearing about the series when I was a kid, so I was intrigued to find out more about the new The Boxcar Children Early Reader Set geared towards students ages 6-8. 
​
Albert Whitman & Company will be producing a total of 8 books through 2020. We received the first four paperback books in the series and I began by reading out loud to all of my kids to spark their interest.  They immediately connected to The Box Car Children because they were a sibling group four, just like my four kids. The second book my son read independently, then I asked him about it, and the third and fourth book we read together. I would read one page out loud and then he would read the next. I found this to be the best way to go through them at his reading level, so I could help him with words he didn’t know and be sure he understood the story. 

---

​The first book I recommend starting with is, “The Boxcar Children.” In it, readers are introduced to the Alden Children, who were orphans struggling to get by. They found a boxcar in the woods, which they made into a home and warrants them the name: The Boxcar Children. The Alden’s think that their grandfather is mean and is out to get them, but soon they realize that he’s kind and they go live with him. 

---

​​The books are not numbered in any particular order, so after reading “The Boxcar Children,” my son read “Surprise Island.” In “Surprise Island,” the Alden’s spend the summer on an island and meet a new friend. Adventure awaits at every corner, and a new discovery leads to family mysteries solved.

---

​After “Surprise Island,” we read “Mystery Ranch,” where The Alden’s are out for adventure again, this time helping cheer up their Aunt Jane on her ranch.  When they learn that the ranch isn’t doing well, they decide to help her save the ranch too and discover something that might be the perfect solution too! 

---

​The final book we read was “The Yellow House Mystery.” In this story, The Alden Children find an abandoned house and learn of their grandfather’s old friend who once lived there but left, owing the grandfather money.  After exploring the house, they find a note which leads them on their next adventure to find the old friend and the money. Now, I won’t ruin the endings of the stories, but they’re family-friendly and age-appropriate!

---

Ultimately, we enjoyed the stories. Because they’re written in an “easy read” fashion, there’s not tremendous character detail or plotline establishment, but The Boxcar Children Early Reader Set offers mysteries and adventures for emerging readers to explore!
​
Don’t forget to check out the rest of the Homeschool Review Crew’s thoughts!