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Boxcar Children
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I see the Boxcar Children (book 1) listed in several resources as a “living book” but it usually also states that ONLY book 1 is to be read. Is there anyone who has insight into why the rest of the series (at least the ones written by the original author) are not considered “living books”?
We have about 10 of the boxcar books that i’ve been gathering from thrift stores etc. I’d love to be able to use them, but now i’m questioning their worth…..
Thanks for your reply.
I don’t see any harm in letting kids who are beginning to read chapter books read the series if they enjoy it.
I wouldn’t consider them “living books” or great literature, but they are an excellent segue into chapter books for young children.
The earlier ones are better but none are bad. I read many. They just aren’t great books especially the later ones.
My 7yo dd and my nearly 11yo dd both love to listen to the audios. I personally don’t care for either the male or the female reader, but they love the books. And my 7yo especially has surprised me the trivia she’s learned from listening to them.
And, really, they’re wholesome, family values books. They show a family caring about each other and holding biblical (or at least 10 Commandments type values), so I don’t care if they aren’t “living books”. They are perfect for fun reading for the kids who like them.
I feel the same about the old Nancy Drew books and the Trixie Beldens.
The first 19 books in the series were written by Gertrude Chandler Warner, the last of the original 19 being published in 1976, just a few years before her death at age 89.
Beginning in 1991, additional books in the series were written by other authors, with book 145, The Election Day Dilemma, published in 2016. (Hmm….did the Boxcar Children know something about the 2016 Presidential Election??? LOL)
There are also 21 books in a series called The Boxcar Children Specials and a prequel entitled The Boxcar Children Beginning: The Aldens on Fair Meadow Farm, published in 2012.
There is nothing particularly wrong with books 20 onward, but we did notice a bit of a difference in writing style. I much prefer the earlier books myself, but we read many of them, old and new, when my children were younger. They thoroughly enjoyed them, especially my son.
Thank you for your encouragement. I’ve yet to read the 6 volumes of CM to completion, and though i’ve listened to roughly 20 of the Delectible Education podcasts and combed many CM blogs and websites, i’m still struggling to define a Living Book for myself, so when I see one included (or intentionally excluded) on a list, I just go with what I read. Does Living Book intuition kick in at some point? : )
For me when it comes to free reading I dont worry as much. I feel like if they are quality, with good values, let the kids start growing their love of reading. I also find it harder to find books for the early chapter reading ability.
My DD likes Nancy Drew and Mandy books. My ODS like freddy the pig and Hardy Boys. For school reading I have different guidelines to help them try out different authors, different time periods, and writing styles, but free reading is more relaxed. just like I like variety, I hope the kids do too.
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