The Gymnastics Mystery

The Boxcar Children #73

by Gertrude Chandler Warner, Charles Tang (Illustrator)

The Aldens try to help a visiting Russian gymnast who is surrounded by mysterious people and events and who seems to have a secret.

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Chapter Books, Audiobook

132 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

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

[Cadee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I read this book because I like gymnastics. I thought it would be cool because I also like mysteries. I was right." - Cadee, age 8

[Lyndie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

The amount of nostalgia I had coming across this.🥹💜

[Bailey Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars because James has a moment and I am here for it.

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Boxcar Children books are interesting with a mystery always ready to be solved each time one is read. This book started out sounding as if it would be the hardest mystery the children had to figure out. They had strange things going on, but the characters still had fun. I do recommend this book to all kids who like to read mysteries.

[Jaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun episode in the Boxcar Children series. A gymnast comes from Russia to stay with the Alden family and trouble surrounds her. There was a lot going on in the story with what seemed like multiple storylines going on at once. They did come together at the end, though, with a decent explanation for everything.

[Jessica Woodring · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really do enjoy reading these books with my daughter - no matter how much I complain about them. She loves them and I love the time we get to spend together sharing these stories with familiar characters.

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a gymnast, I obviously thought this book was great but even if you are not exactly into gymnastics, I think you will still enjoy it. Great plot and it gives you quite a mystery.

[The Book Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

nostalgia. review to come.

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Gymnastics Mystery" by Gertrude Chandler Warner offers a classic blend of adventure and intrigue, tailored for young readers. The book revolves around the Alden children—Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny—who, after their initial adventures living in a boxcar, now reside comfortably with their grandfather. The arrival of Katya, a young Russian gymnast, sets the stage for a compelling mystery when strange incidents threaten her chances at an important gymnastics competition.

Each of the Alden children brings unique strengths to the group's dynamic. Henry, the eldest, is the natural leader, providing a steady hand and thoughtful planning. Jessie, the second oldest, is practical and organized, often taking charge of logistics and research. Violet, gentle and artistic, notices details that others miss, proving crucial in piecing together clues. Benny, the youngest, offers boundless enthusiasm and a keen sense of observation, often endearing himself to those around them and uncovering important information through his innocent interactions. Their relationships are built on mutual respect and affection, making their teamwork seamless and effective. The Aldens' individual flaws, such as Henry's occasional overcautiousness or Jessie's tendency to over-organize, are balanced by their collective ability to work together, making them a formidable investigative team. Katya, the gymnast, is a complex character, initially presented as dedicated and hardworking, but soon revealed to have her own secrets and vulnerabilities. Her backstory adds depth to the narrative, exploring themes of competition, pressure, and personal integrity.

The plot thickens with several subplots involving secondary characters such as the rival gymnasts and the gym staff, each with their own motives and secrets. These characters add layers to the mystery, making it more challenging for the Aldens to identify the true culprit. The plot twists are cleverly woven into the narrative, keeping readers guessing until the very end. The tone of the novel is light and engaging, characteristic of Warner's storytelling style, which balances suspense with heartwarming moments of family togetherness and simple joys.

Several themes resonate throughout the book. The importance of teamwork is evident as the Aldens combine their skills to overcome obstacles. The theme of perseverance is highlighted through Katya's dedication to gymnastics despite facing adversity. The book also touches on the theme of trust, as the Aldens learn to navigate Katya's secrets and decide who to trust in their quest for the truth.

"The Gymnastics Mystery" is a delightful read that combines the warmth of family dynamics with the excitement of a well-crafted mystery. Readers who enjoy this book might also appreciate other titles in "The Boxcar Children" series, as well as similar mystery series like "The Hardy Boys" or "Nancy Drew," which offer engaging plots and relatable characters that encourage young readers to think critically and solve problems.

[Jean Bowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first Boxcar book is the best all the others are formulaic. But if your children are interested in gymnastics they will probably love this book. I am always surprised by how much my kids (7- 11 yrs) learn from the boxcar children books. This is not a classic by any means but a good early chapterbook for budding readers.

[Joseph D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 73 of the Boxcar Children series. What a fun heartwarming mystery where we can cheer for a Russian. So much hate in the world today, it is great to see and cheer for others. Lots of suspects him this one up not leaving us with just one perpetrator. Enjoy this one. ​

Joseph McKnight
http://www.Josephmcknight.com

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 8-year-old gymnast and I read this at the same time and she declared it "awesome" so I'm bumping it up from my 3 to a 4, to balance out her 5. Not much substance to this one but fans of the Boxcar Children will like it well enough.

[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 there is more than one possible suspect, who each have reasonable motive. Would recommend.

[Marissa77 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I ever read.

[GheenGirls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turtle: Great! Wants to read again before returning to the library.

[Charles Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

78%

Poor poor russian girl( see what I did there?)

[Kim Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the series.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good one, with lots of suspects. Some parts were pretty clear as to what was coming, but others were not.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I highly recommend that no one reads too many of these in a row. For lack of a better phrase, they are all pretty much the same. Still, it's a wonderful series. Guests in this one include Katya, Al, Lucas, Denise, Mrs. Patterson. I thought there could have been more interesting illustrations, seeing that the theme was gymnastics. How many pictures do we need of people talking and looking at things? Let's see some pictures of something worth looking AT.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good. I can't remember what it was about.

[Cws]

JEAR3-War

[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 :)

[Isabelle Mccullough · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this book because i just love it!and i love solveing mysterys!

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grandpa allows a strange Russian gymnast kid to stay with them and wouldn't you know she brings a mystery with her. She gets to see the power of the Boxcar Children!

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read a hundered books from this series no lie starting at 1