40 pages 1 hour read

Gertrude Warner

The Boxcar Children

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1924

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In The Boxcar Children, four orphaned children find shelter in an abandoned railroad boxcar and learn to live independently in the woods while hiding from their feared grandfather. As they craft a new home with limited resources, they form strong bonds and develop self-reliance, ultimately discovering the truth about their grandfather's intentions.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Gertrude Warner's The Boxcar Children receives praise for its timeless, heartwarming story and engaging portrayal of resourceful siblings living in a boxcar. Readers admire the book's simplicity and positive themes. However, some critics find the characters underdeveloped and the plot dated. Overall, it's a charming read for younger audiences.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Boxcar Children?

Readers who would enjoy The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Warner are typically children aged 7-12 who appreciate mystery, adventure, and familial bonds. Fans of Beverly Cleary's Ramona Quimby Series or Enid Blyton's The Famous Five will find the resourcefulness and unity of the Alden siblings particularly engaging.

Recommended

Reading Age

7-12years

Lexile Level

580L

Book Details

Genre

Action / Adventure

Mystery / Crime Fiction

Realistic Fiction

Themes

Relationships: Family

Relationships: Siblings

Life/Time: Childhood & Youth