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The Boxcar Children Beginning: The Aldens of Fair Meadow Farm
Before they were the Boxcar Children, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden lived with their parents at Fair Meadow Farm.
Although times are hard, the Aldens are happy--"the best family of all," Mama likes to say. One day, a blizzard hits the countryside, and a car is stranded on the road near their farm. The family in the car needs shelter, and when the Aldens take them i...more
Although times are hard, the Aldens are happy--"the best family of all," Mama likes to say. One day, a blizzard hits the countryside, and a car is stranded on the road near their farm. The family in the car needs shelter, and when the Aldens take them i...more
Hardcover, 144 pages
Published
August 1st 2012
by Albert Whitman & Company
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As the original Boxcar Children series begins, four orphaned children – Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden – stop at a bakery to buy bread, then ask to stay for one night. A fan of the series may want a prequel about circumstances that lead these children to be homeless orphans wandering about. Boxcar Children Beginning will NOT satisfy.
This volume opens with the Alden family living in Fair Meadow Farm. The children and parents trust everyone. To help during hard times the Aldens take in a n...more
This volume opens with the Alden family living in Fair Meadow Farm. The children and parents trust everyone. To help during hard times the Aldens take in a n...more
I initially heard of the Boxcar Children prequel many months before its publication. As any childhood fan should be, I was intrigued. The unknown awakened my curiosity: Where did those 4 Alden children come from before they arrived in front of the bakery that stormy night? What truly happened to their parents? Why were they so afraid to meet their grandfather? Questions that Gertrude Chandler Warner had left to the reader's imagination. Questions that Patricia MacLachlan has personally attempted...more
Summary (Booklist)
MacLachlan, the author of Newbery Medal–winning Sarah, Plain and Tall (1985), takes on the story of Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny before they were the Boxcar Children. Life is simple at Fair Meadow farm: chores, school, and time for fun. When the Clark family (jobless and moving because of the Great Depression) become stuck in a snowstorm, the Aldens take them in and become fast friends. All the children put on a circus, dressing one of the cows up as an elephant. But someth...more
MacLachlan, the author of Newbery Medal–winning Sarah, Plain and Tall (1985), takes on the story of Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny before they were the Boxcar Children. Life is simple at Fair Meadow farm: chores, school, and time for fun. When the Clark family (jobless and moving because of the Great Depression) become stuck in a snowstorm, the Aldens take them in and become fast friends. All the children put on a circus, dressing one of the cows up as an elephant. But someth...more
Read full review and author interview at Cracking the Cover
It’s always a chancy venture to take on a series beloved by millions. Writing a prequel can be even more adventuresome. Luckily, Albert Whitman & Company had the right person in mind when it chose Patricia MacLachlan to author the latest book in the Boxcar Children series.
The author of “Sarah, Plain and Tall” knows how to write for children without talking down to them. In “The Aldens of Fair Meadow Farm” she not only writes sensibly...more
It’s always a chancy venture to take on a series beloved by millions. Writing a prequel can be even more adventuresome. Luckily, Albert Whitman & Company had the right person in mind when it chose Patricia MacLachlan to author the latest book in the Boxcar Children series.
The author of “Sarah, Plain and Tall” knows how to write for children without talking down to them. In “The Aldens of Fair Meadow Farm” she not only writes sensibly...more
Sep 21, 2012
Renata
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
children who live in buildings and/or boxcars
First, let me say that my 3-star rating is me as an adult reader. For its actual intended audience it's probably higher.
Second, let me say that recently I have had multiple conversations with adults about how every Boxcar Children book after the 1st one was BS because they no longer lived in a boxcar. The first Boxcar Children book was awesome because it was about homeless children who lived in an abandoned boxcar among woodland creatures. Any Boxcar Children book where they live in a HOUSE is B...more
Second, let me say that recently I have had multiple conversations with adults about how every Boxcar Children book after the 1st one was BS because they no longer lived in a boxcar. The first Boxcar Children book was awesome because it was about homeless children who lived in an abandoned boxcar among woodland creatures. Any Boxcar Children book where they live in a HOUSE is B...more
I sit between two places....the "doesn't like change" side of me wonders why MacLachlan found it necessary to touch Warner's precious series that has stood the test of time with children of several generations. The other side of me appreciates MacLachlan's love of the series and respect for the author. I can see why she wanted to give children a "possible" behind the scenes of the family....answering potential questions that a reader might have had about the family prior to their parents' accide...more
Reason for Reading: I am reading and collecting the first 19 original books by Gertrude Chandler Warner. I usually don't read modern prequels or continuations such as this (I didn't go anywhere near the Anne of Green Gables prequel!) but MacLachlan is a widely respected, award winning author whom I've read before so after a little consideration I thought I would give this a go.
MacLachlan is a good writer who especially does the historical very well. The year is never given, but going from the fi...more
MacLachlan is a good writer who especially does the historical very well. The year is never given, but going from the fi...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny live with their involved and loving parents on their farm, possibly during the Great Depression. (The original story was published in 1942, so this would make sense.) Times are tough, but the family pulls together. Their mother sells baked goods, the children help out, and all is going okay. When a family is stranded with a broken down car near their home, they are invited to stay for several months until they can get back on their feet, and the Aldens are very s...more
Henry. Jessie, Violet. Bennie.
Their Mama once told them they were the best family of all. . .
The Boxcar Children.
While Gertrude Chandler Warner only wrote nineteen of the original Boxcar Children books, the other books--numbering over one hundred titles--always pay respects back to the creator, a first grade teacher/writer.
Patricia MacLachlan (1986 Newbery Winner SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL) gently--tenderly--drafts the prequel to the stories that will set the four children out to begin their adventur...more
Their Mama once told them they were the best family of all. . .
The Boxcar Children.
While Gertrude Chandler Warner only wrote nineteen of the original Boxcar Children books, the other books--numbering over one hundred titles--always pay respects back to the creator, a first grade teacher/writer.
Patricia MacLachlan (1986 Newbery Winner SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL) gently--tenderly--drafts the prequel to the stories that will set the four children out to begin their adventur...more
3 likes · like · see review
Originally written in 1924, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny live with loving parents on their farm, during the Great Depression. Times are tough, but the family works together to make a warm and loving home. As a late winter storm blows in the Clark family appears when the family car breaks down near the Alden farm. The Clark family is asked to stay at least until they are able to get the parts needed to fix the family car. The two families quickly grow close to each other and a series of child...more
If you grew up a fan of the Boxcar Children series, than you must pick up this beautifully written prequel to the series. Author Patricia McLachlan does such an amazing job at honoring Gertrude Chandler Warner's original work. She carefully crafted together a story that pays respect to a series that have touched thousands of young children's lives. Her writing is flawless and engaging as she recreates the same characters, their unique personalities and voices, and takes readers by to much simple...more
THE BOXCAR CHILDREN BEGINNING: THE ALDENS OF FAIR MEADOW FARM by Patricia MacLachlan is the prequel to the Boxcar Children adventures. It is the beginning of the Aldens children, how they became the Boxcar children,and shows the importance of family. Follow the four Alden children,Henry,Jessie,Violet,and Benny, on a journey of discovery,grief,family,dreams,endurance,and love of family. With beautiful illustrations by illustrator, Tim Jessell, "The Boxcar Children Beginning" is sure to capture yo...more
Patricia MacLachlan, famous for writing the 1986 Newbery Award Winner Sarah, Plain and Tall, is not the original author of the series. That title goes to Gertrude Chandler Warner who is sadly not with us any longer. She wrote the original 19 books for the series from The Boxcar Children to Benny Uncovers a Mystery. The 1990s saw a resurgence of the series with new books written by other authors with the series being credited as being created by Gertrude Chandler Warner.
The story is set before th...more
The story is set before th...more
Apr 26, 2012
Erica Collins
added it
The Boxcar Children Beginning: The Aldens of Fair Meadow Farm is a great introduction to the original series by Gertrude Chandler Warner. The characters are well developed and multi-dimensional. Jessie, Violet, Benny and Henry are likable characters with their own individual personalities.
The story begins with the children hoping for spring to arrive and for something to happen. Little do they know that something is about to happen that will change their lives. The arrival of a winter storm bri...more
The story begins with the children hoping for spring to arrive and for something to happen. Little do they know that something is about to happen that will change their lives. The arrival of a winter storm bri...more
So, I read The Boxcar Children in the 3rd grade, and enjoyed the books though elementary school. Perhaps if I could have read it with a third grader's perspective I would have liked this book better. It's obviously written simply for a young audience, so I can't be too harsh a critic. I think the characters' relationships are too sweet and perfect to be realistic, but I assume that's how the original books are too, so maybe it fits. I didn't think the sudden death of the parents was written very...more
The Boxcar Children were some of my favorite books growing up. I remember getting a boxed set of the first few for Christmas when I was in 2nd grade and they are the first chapter books that I recall really reading on my own. I was hooked from the start and avidly read dozens of them. I always wondered what exactly happened to their parents and what their life was like before the series starts, but it's never really addressed in the books.
This prequel aims to shed light on the time just before t...more
This prequel aims to shed light on the time just before t...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Young Shannon was dying. Yesssss, a prequel! Although I don't particularly like MacLachlan's writing (SARAH PLAIN AND TALL Y U SO DULL???), she does a FANTASTIC job of capturing Chandler Warner's voice.
The art in this book was insanely confusing to me, though. I had no clue what time frame the book was supposed to take place in, and not in a good "ambiguous any time in history" way, either. But I may be biased because I adored the art of the original book.
Also, hat tip to the illustrator for m...more
The art in this book was insanely confusing to me, though. I had no clue what time frame the book was supposed to take place in, and not in a good "ambiguous any time in history" way, either. But I may be biased because I adored the art of the original book.
Also, hat tip to the illustrator for m...more
This post contains thematic spoilers.
I have put off writing my thoughts on the prequel to the Boxcar Children series for more than two weeks now. It’s not that I didn’t like it. On the contrary, I really enjoyed seeing the children interact with their parents, relish their life on a small farm, and find their own ways of enjoying life over the course of one year. It was quite fun to revisit Henry, Jessie, Violet, and precious Benny in their home setting.
However, something about the book as a who...more
I have put off writing my thoughts on the prequel to the Boxcar Children series for more than two weeks now. It’s not that I didn’t like it. On the contrary, I really enjoyed seeing the children interact with their parents, relish their life on a small farm, and find their own ways of enjoying life over the course of one year. It was quite fun to revisit Henry, Jessie, Violet, and precious Benny in their home setting.
However, something about the book as a who...more
On its own, without considering the series as a whole, the book was just okay for me. I felt a strong sense of detachment from the characters, as though I could never really get close enough to them to feel what they were feeling, or worry about what worried them. The tone of the book is very upbeat and positive. Even when “hard times” strike, the Alden family seems to greet them with a smile, always ready for the next challenge. I know some parents will be pleased to have such a wholesome story...more
I have a confession to make. . . I never read The Boxcar Children books as a child. I'm not sure how they escaped my radar, because I was a pretty voracious reader as a child. Nonetheless, the prequel has intrigued me enough to perhaps head to the library and begin reading the series with my own children. Patricia MacLachlan brings the Alden family to life in her loving tribute.
I've always been a Boxcar fan and this is a wholly satisfying prequel/addition. It felt very true to the series in voice and reading level. What was most welcome is the not-too-subtle, but not-too-overdone character traits Maclachlan establishes setting up who these young people will become in later stories. I would have loved this one when I was a young boxcar reader, and I'm sure today's readers and future generations will appreciate MacLachlan's contribution to the legacy.
A great addition to...more
A great addition to...more
Jan 10, 2013
Terry
added it
Big Kid Reaction: As surprising as it may sound, I have never read any of Warner's Boxcar Children books. Even without knowing those stories, I found MacLachlan's prequel to be enjoyable. Even knowing the sad "ending" to come, I would characterize it as a comfort read ... one I would go back to again.
Pros: This is a timeless story of simpler times and harder living. Whether you've met the Alden children in other books or are just being introduced, you'll find this an enjoyable, fast read.
Cons: N...more
Pros: This is a timeless story of simpler times and harder living. Whether you've met the Alden children in other books or are just being introduced, you'll find this an enjoyable, fast read.
Cons: N...more
Before they were known as the Boxcar children, Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny Alden lived with their parents at Fair Meadow Farm. Although times are hard, they take in a family who is stranded during a blizzard in this story of the Alden children’s origins and the challenges they faced before their boxcar adventures.
Reviewer 16
Reviewer 16
I loved this series...the original series by Gertrude Candler Warner when I was younger. MacLachlan captures the same simplicity and innocence in this "prequel". All my favorites are here with explanations that click for fans like me. Grab your tissues because you know what's coming at the end.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
This story was wonderful...so believable, but the illustrations ruined the book. Why have such a touching story and print that reminded me of the original tale, then throw modern day, out of the era drawings on the pages? This spoiled the Alden family's story for me.
Well-written and thoughtful prequel to the Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner. It answered all the questions I had as I read the stories growing up. How did the Aldens' parents die? Why didn't they want to live with their grandfather? Where were they going when they discovered the boxcar?
A really cute story about the Boxcar kids before - well, the boxcar :D.
Well written, cute, age appropriate for the reading level. A great read for elementary school kids...or anyone with fond memories of the original series and a little bit of free time. :)
Well written, cute, age appropriate for the reading level. A great read for elementary school kids...or anyone with fond memories of the original series and a little bit of free time. :)
Very gentle book like the original Boxcar books but the children's parents die and they choose within minutes of hearing that they must leave and do before the funeral! This was not satisfactory to me.
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Patricia MacLachlan is a bestselling U.S. children's author, best known for winning the 1986 Newbery Medal for her book Sarah, Plain and Tall.
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Jan 01, 2013 05:40am