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Boxcar Children series
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I’m not sure where to put this, so I hope I picked the right spot. I am sorting out my books and am curious what your thoughts are on The Boxcar Children series. I’ve barely read any of them, and it was a very long time ago. Obviously these wouldn’t be for school, but just on their own free reading.
I am pretty sure that the response you will get from anyone is this – the books by the original author are good – after that, forget it.
This is my response as well. It is pretty easy to find a list online that tells where the original books end and the “series” continues – these are just formulaic and boring, IMO. But the first books were charming and my children really enjoyed them. We get them from our public library for free reading, as you said.
I agree. The first 18 or 19…I forget…are by Gertrude Chandler Warner and are keepers. After that, they are “based on” her books.
My 7 yr old daughter can’t get enough of them. 🙂 She’ll read an entire book in one afternoon!
Do the ones “based on” still say written by Gertrude C. W.? Our library shows 79 mysteries and all say they are created by G.C.W.!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Boxcar_Children_books
This entry says 1 – 19 are by GCW. I know some boxcar crazy children who will read any of them – I think if you have a choice the first books are the best – and they grow more twaddlish. If you start out with a later book in the series (there are over 100 I think) and aren’t that crazy about it, just know that the earlier ones may appeal to you and your family after all.
Thanks, everyone. I looked more at the ones I have (I have a sporadic collection of them), and interestingly enough, the first 19 seem to all have an extra sentence in the “About the Author” about how she wrote 19. The next ones that sentence disappears. But also interesting, there is no different author, only “created by” GCW. Hm. I wonder who actually wrote them then, and why he/she didn’t get credit for it.
Maybe the newer author has heard too many of our “reviews” and wishes to remain anonymous, lol! Seriously, I agree that the original stories are delightful, and my kids (ages 10, 11, and even the 12yo) love them.
I think it is a franchise, like the star trek books – different writers adhere to the rules for the series and get paid to write the books. I saw that there was a new one published this year!
And yes, you’re right…sorry. They do say “created by.” I no longer have the others so my memory was foggy.
I have not purchase any of the Boxcar Children yet. Most likely I will only purchase if I manage to find them used. Besides the first book can all the rest be read in different orders of the 19 books? Or is it best to go in order?
Thanks,
Kim.
We LOVE the original books too! Its been a few years since we’ve read them but, if I remember right, you can read them in any order. In each book the author gives a short review of the adventure that took place in the previous book; Each book is a new adventure all its own
. Enjoy!I have all the original 19, but it’s been ages since I’ve read them. Would they make a good reader for 2nd grade?
Nerakr, yes probably. It depends on the child obviously, but they’re probably right about a 2nd grade level.
And after the first one the next 18 can be read out of order, if I remember right.
Another one of my old favorite series I just got my 8 year old hooked on is the Ramona Quimby books by Beverly Cleary, and her masculine counterpart Henry Huggins. I loved those books when I was younger. I checked out the first one for my 8 yo this morning and she’s hooked.
. Enjoy!
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