The Mystery Of The Missing Cat

The Boxcar Children #42

by Gertrude Chandler Warner, Charles Tang (Illustrator)

When the Aldens hear that Mr. Wood’s cat, Spotzie, is missing, they immediately help out by putting up LOST CAT posters and going door-to-door with a photograph of the cat. But along the way they meet some strange characters, receive frightening phone calls, and even find a cat that looks just like Spotzie — but is it? It seems that the more they search, the more mysterious the mystery becomes!

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Chapter Books, Juvenile, Animals

119 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Gertrude Chandler Warner was born in Putnam, Connecticut, on April 16, 1890, to Edgar and Jane Warner. Her family included a sister, Frances, and a brother, John. From the age of five, she dreamed of becoming an author. She wrote stories for her Grandfather Carpenter, and each Christmas she gave him one of these stories as a gift. Today, Ms. Warner is best remembered as the author of THE BOXCAR CHILDREN MYSTERIES.

As a child, Gertrude enjoyed many of the things that girls enjoy today. She loved furnishing a dollhouse with handmade furniture and she liked to read. Her favorite book was ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Often on Sundays after church, Gertrude enjoyed trips to visit her grandparents' farm. Along the way, she and Frances would stop to pick the wildflowers they both loved. Gertrude's favorite flower was the violet.

Her family was a very musical one. They were able to have a family orchestra, and Gertrude enjoyed playing the cello. Her father had brought her one from New York ---a cello, a bow, a case and an instruction book. All together, he paid $14. Later, as an adult, she began playing the pipe organ and sometimes substituted for the church organist.

Due to ill health, Ms. Warner never finished high school. She left in the middle of her second year and studied with a tutor. Then, in 1918, when teachers were called to serve in World War I, the school board asked her to teach first grade. She had forty children in the morning and forty more in the afternoon. Ms. Warner wrote, "I was asked or begged to take this job because I taught Sunday School. But believe me, day school is nothing like Sunday School, and I sure learned by doing --- I taught in that same room for 32 years, retiring at 60 to have more time to write." Eventually, Ms. Warner attended Yale, where she took several teacher training courses.

Once when she was sick and had to stay home from teaching, she thought up the story about the Boxcar Children. It was inspired by her childhood dreams. As a child, she had spent hours watching the trains go by near her family's home. Sometimes she could look through the window of a caboose and see a small stove, a little table, cracked cups with no saucers, and a tin coffee pot boiling away on the stove. The sight had fascinated her and made her dream about how much fun it would be to live and keep house in a boxcar or caboose. She read the story to her classes and rewrote it many times so the words were easy to understand. Some of her pupils spoke other languages at home and were just learning English. THE BOXCAR CHILDREN gave them a fun story that was easy to read.

Ms. Warner once wrote for her fans, "Perhaps you know that the original BOXCAR CHILDREN. . . raised a storm of protest from librarians who thought the children were having too good a time without any parental control! That is exactly why children like it! Most of my own childhood exploits, such as living in a freight car, received very little cooperation from my parents."

Though the story of THE BOXCAR CHILDREN went through some changes after it was first written, the version that we are familiar with today was originally published in 1942 by Scott Foresman. Today, Albert Whitman & Company publishes this first classic story as well as the next eighteen Alden children adventures that were written by Ms. Warner.

Gertrude Chandler Warner died in 1979 at the age of 89 after a full life as a teacher, author, and volunteer for the American Red Cross and other charitable organizations. After her death, Albert Whitman & Company continued to receive mail from children across the country asking for more adventures about Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny Alden. In 1991, Albert Whitman added to THE BOXCAR CHILDREN MYSTERIES so that today's children can enjoy many more adventures about this independent and caring group of children.

Books about Gertrude: https://www.goodreads.com/characters/...

Reviews

[Isla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the books that miss warner rote because she did my favorite thing she rote books.
i love to read a lot!

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Mystery of the Missing Cat," part of "The Boxcar Children" series by Gertrude Chandler Warner, is a delightful read for young mystery lovers. In this book, the Alden children find themselves on a new adventure, exploring a hidden beach and uncovering secrets.

The writing style is straightforward, making it easy for young readers to follow along. The Alden children's resourcefulness and teamwork shine as they solve the mystery, highlighting the importance of family and cooperation. The plot is engaging, with enough twists to keep readers interested without being too complex.

Overall, "The Mystery of the Missing Cat" is a charming addition to "The Boxcar Children" series, perfect for kids who enjoy a classic, gentle mystery.

[Joseph D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 42 of the Boxcar Children series. This was a good mystery, but not a great one. Very basic and straightforward. That doesn’t mean that it was bad, just not as twisting and turning as others. Still a minor red herring and a tad misdirection. Not in my top 10 for the series but still a well done story. ​

Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The children find a lost cat, but apparently it isn't the one advertised as lost. They call on their veterinarian and the shelter for help. But another similar cat also turns up! Lots of mysteries to solve. I liked this one more than most because... cats.

[Mrs. Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little mystery, perfect for kids just beginning to put things together. This is a read aloud with my son. He enjoyed reading it as much as I remember enjoying it when I was little.

One small negative: Even my 5 year old is noticing the timeline is a little mixed up between books.

[Cherish Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4☆ Would recommend)
I loved these books as a kid & I'm really enjoying reading through the series again. I liked the mystery & the suspense. I like how the kids don't give up, even when people doubt them or are rude to them. Would recommend.

[Becca (Reflections From My Bookshelves) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My boys and I enjoyed the audio version of the book.

[Remi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the boxcar children books! They are alway so fun to listen to on epic I totally recommend these/this book to 6-100 year olds!!😂

[Brynja · Rating 4 out of 5]

mr.woods looses his cat, and it's up to the boxcar children to find it!





and solve the mystery.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barely 3 stars. Suitable for very young readers, but not nearly as good as those books in the series actually written by the original author.

[Charles Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

72%

The Mystery of why the police are never ever called, is it for blackmailing?

[Kim Hampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benny went from being six years old in the last book to being five years old, so that was more concerning than the missing cat! I felt like the story was rushed in this one too.

[Danny Mcalister · Rating 5 out of 5]

denfliy gonna read more boxcar children in 2025

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so enjoying rereading this series even if I have to skip around to find available audiobooks.

[Jeremiah L Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend it

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We've read a few of the books in The Boxcar Children series, and we've really enjoyed them. They read well and have short chapters. We liked this simple mystery and enjoyed the descriptions of the various characters. Our girls love cats and dogs, so this was a great book for them.

[Partridge Public]

Warner, Gertrude C. PB

[Hannah(JJ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

the name of the cat in this book, well i named my kitty after it. (:

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

great when ur little

[Jocelyn Montalvo Cullum]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12541455

[Rebecca]

One of my favorite childhood series. I read over a hundred of them. The first 50 or so were in order; after that I read whatever book I could get my hands on :)

[jenna kocienda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to read this book I read it once that's it

[Allison McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't care, I love it!

[Nicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spotsy is the worst name ever. Pretty much any other name would have been better.