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 school and library collections, as well as a recommended gift book for young readers just ripe for the joys of Boxcar.