The Boxcar Children

By: Gertrude Chandler Warner
Published by: Albert Whitman
Pages: 154
Ages 9-12



This is a book about four children whose parents died when they were little. When they were looking for a place to sleep, they asked if they could stay at the bakery shop for one night and in the morning they would wash the dishes. Even though the baker & his wife didn't like children they said, “OK”. That night they heard the baker's wife talking to her husband and they said they were going to use the three oldest in the bakery and give the youngest to the orphanage. The children ran away at night. Then they found the old boxcar. Inside the boxcar were some old empty crates. They lived in the boxcar for a little while, and that is how they became the boxcar children.

Who I would recommend this to? Kids who love mysteries, because the rest of the boxcar books are mysteries.

Possible conflicts/problems? I can see how this would rise a problem, these kids have real life problems not little problems like a missing bike. It could introduce a whole new way of life, and unperfect life, to children.

My reaction: Such a fun booK! I loved these books when I was younG! 4 stars!