The Return of the Graveyard Ghost

The Boxcar Children #133

by Tim Jessell (Illustrator), Gertrude Chandler Warner (Creator)

One stormy afternoon, the Aldens take a shortcut through the Greenfield Cemetery and discover a strange local superstition! According to legend, it’s good luck to leave presents in a certain spot in the cemetery―and bad luck to anyone who doesn’t. But since there’s no such thing as ghosts, there must be a reason for this weird tradition. The Boxcar Children are determined to find out what it is.

Genres: Mystery, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Audiobook, Middle Grade, Adventure, Family

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Cameron Chaney]

Whenever I am stressed, anxious, or having a bad day, I go for cozy books from my childhood to cheer me up. It's been one of those days, so I pulled up the Hoopla app and typed in "The Boxcar Children". I looked for any Boxcar Children audiobook with "ghost" in the title, and this is what I picked.

The Return of the Graveyard Ghost was just what I needed. As soon as I pressed play, I felt the nerves drift away as I was transported to a simpler time. I'm so glad this series exists.

[Kathy]

3.5 rounded up
Nice story

[Leah]

This takes place in October. The story involves a cemetery and a ghost story. The mystery was interesting. I wasn't sure what was really happening until the end. I didn't like the characters this time. They weren't like they usually are, a bit too silly this time.

[Elina]

It was an amazing book. So it was said that there was this family they were super kind. But suddenly one of them died the kindest one. But then there was this legend on her death anniversary you have to leave a gift for her. And if you ever see a lotus then you defiantly have too. But why lotus. It was her favorite flower. And if you don't for the whole year you will have bad luck. Was it true the boxcar children had to find out.

[Joseph D.]

Book 133 of the Boxcar Children. This is a spooky mystery with a happy ending. The concept of the twist makes this a fun lighthearted mystery with an underlying warning that even when you are doing what you see as right, you can be besmirching someone’s reputation and causing many unseen problems. When you do something wrong even for the right reasons there are consequences. ​

Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com

[Cherish Brown]

(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 there is more than one possible suspect, who each have reasonable motive. This is one of the better mysteries. Would recommend.

[Adam Carman]

I do wonder what has come over the Boxcar series lately. It seems as if the new hired writers are actually daring to step out from the clone series and write books that vary. It's an enjoyable development, as in this one where they investigate a haunting in their own town. Very Scooby Doo!

[Eden Poon]

I LOVE YOUR BOOKS!!!

[Bookish Benz]

Still love the boxcar children 🖤 this series is what started my book life when I was 7 😍 and rereading them is quite the delight

[Kate N. Ewing]

I know the kids love these, but IMHO, the quality is on par with Tang vs fresh orange juice. Note: I loved Tang when I was a kid! 🙂

[Merry]

I loved reading , it served as the story's solid foundation.

[Alex]

This was cute, but Henry having a cellphone is kind of creeping me out. These kids will forever be stuck in the 1950's in my mind.

[Charles Reed]

83%

Really good prank! And it went to charity very cool

[Paula]

This Boxcar Children title has the family investigating a ghostly local superstition at the Greenfield Cemetery. They notice a strange character lurking near the mausoleum one afternoon. When a sudden storm sends them scurrying to the local diner, they learn of a bad luck curse associated with the mausoleum from a local historian. Legend has it that the townspeople must leave presents at the mausoleum one day each year to ensure good luck for their families; if they don’t, who knows what bad luck could befall them. With a little research and some clever sleuthing, the Aldens discover the truth behind the mystery, and reveal the “ghost” and mysterious stranger. As a result, the town starts a new annual tradition. Now instead of bringing a present to the mausoleum, people can donate their presents to the local hospital to help sick children. If you have fans of scary stories or the Boxcar children, this title might be considered for an elementary or classroom library.

[Katt Hansen]

Every year for 75 years, the townspeople of Greenfield have been putting presents at a certain grave in the cemetery. Those who fail to do so are doomed to a year of bad luck. The Aldens take on the mystery of the graveyard ghost - to determine if the story is an elaborate hoax...or if the ghost is real.

The Boxcar children are still on the case and solving mysteries. I enjoyed this, though it feels odd to see the kids on cell phones and using computers after having read these books for so many years. Fun to read though, and still highly recommended.

[Trent Welbaum]

I really did enjoy this book! Even as an adult reading this, it kept me "on the edge of my seat." There was a lot of suspense in this book which made it a "must-read" book!

[Stacie]

Ghost will bring you bad luck if you don't leave gifts... now that sounds like a smart ghost. Leave it to the kids to ruin a perfectly good plan.

[Grace DuBois]

I didn't find it to be really scary.

[Heather]

Good 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟✅✅✅✅✅


It was good and spooky. But also has some funny stuff. I love it I think you should read it too.