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 brings with it the Clark family. Their car got stuck in the snow drifts near the Alden farm.
They will spend the next several months together blending into a caring family. They have adventures together and the children produce a circus that includes an elephant.
Shortly after spring arrives, they get the part n to fix the Clark family car. It is a bittersweet goodbye as the families part with the promise of staying in touch.
The story does take a sad turn when tragedy strikes the Alden family. But it is handled delicately and age appropriately. The book ends as the Alden children embark on a new adventure.
The story catches you from the very beginning and keeps the readers interested to the end. This book is a must read for any child who wants to explore the Boxcar Children series or as an introduction into chapter books.