The Mystery of the Lake Monster

The Boxcar Children #62

by Gertrude Chandler Warner (creator), Charles Tang (Illustrator)

The Boxcar Children vacation at Lake Lucille in the Adirondack Mountains! People have been spreading rumors about a lake monster, and visitors are getting scared. When the Aldens hear strange noises and discover mysterious footprints on the shore, they must find out if there is really a monster in the lake.

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Adventure, Audiobook, Animals

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

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

[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 :)

[Jessica Woodring]

I think this is the first time I enjoyed one of these more than Austen…she wanted to give it 3 stars because of the “scary and sad parts” (she’s very sensitive to scary and sad things 😬). She almost wanted to stop reading the book, but I convinced her that everything would be okay in the end. And it was.

[Kathy]

Well, I thought this one was a little silly, but the kids really loved it.

[Sam Kuntz]

The Boxcar children are on vacation to a lodge in the mountains. They meet someone named Nora Parker who runs the lodge. She tells them about a wild man of the woods. After that, they walk around the lake. They find out the wild man is a dog and his owner is named Carl and he lives in the woods with his dog. Carl tells them about a lake monster named Lucy. They have to figure out if the
monster is real or not and if it is not real then who put the monster footprints on the ground and
made the fake monster sounds.

[Simon]

"The Mystery of the Lake Monster" takes the Boxcar Children to the scenic Lake Lucille in the Adirondack Mountains, where rumors of a mysterious lake monster have begun to scare away tourists. The Aldens, ever the adventurers, find themselves embroiled in the mystery when they hear strange noises and discover unusual footprints near the shore. Warner masterfully blends suspense with the cozy, familiar atmosphere that defines the series, creating a tone that is both intriguing and comforting for young readers.

Each of the Alden children brings unique qualities to the investigation. Henry, the eldest, is the natural leader, demonstrating responsibility and level-headedness as he guides his younger siblings. His flaw lies in his tendency to overthink, sometimes leading him to be overly cautious. Jessie, the second oldest, is resourceful and nurturing, often taking on a caretaker role for Violet and Benny. Her keen observation skills are invaluable to solving the mystery, though her empathy can sometimes make her hesitant to suspect others. Violet, the gentle artist, notices details that others miss, and her artistic talents aid in documenting their findings. However, her shyness can sometimes hold her back from sharing her insights. Benny, the youngest, is enthusiastic and curious, providing a childlike wonder and energy to the group. His eagerness sometimes leads him into trouble, but his genuine love for his family and animals is always a driving force for good. The children's relationships with each other are the heart of the story, as their teamwork and mutual support enable them to overcome challenges.

One of the central themes of the book is the power of observation and critical thinking. The Aldens rely on their ability to notice small details and connect seemingly unrelated events to uncover the truth behind the lake monster rumors. This theme encourages young readers to develop their own problem-solving skills and to look beyond the surface of things. Another prominent theme is the importance of community and helping others. The Aldens are motivated by a desire to protect the town's reputation and ensure the safety of its residents. Their actions demonstrate the value of contributing to the well-being of one's community and the positive impact that even small acts of kindness can have. The book also explores the theme of overcoming fear and prejudice. The townspeople's fear of the unknown leads them to believe in the existence of a monster, causing unnecessary panic. Through their investigation, the Aldens dispel these fears and reveal the truth, teaching readers the importance of rational thought and open-mindedness.

Without giving away too much, one of the major plot twists involves the true identity of the "lake monster" and the motives behind the rumors. The Aldens uncover a scheme that threatens the town's livelihood, leading to a thrilling confrontation and a satisfying resolution. The story keeps readers guessing until the very end, with plenty of red herrings and unexpected turns.

In closing, "The Mystery of the Lake Monster" is a delightful addition to the Boxcar Children series, offering a blend of adventure, mystery, and heartwarming family dynamics. Fans of this book might also enjoy "The Hardy Boys" or "Nancy Drew" series, which offer similar themes of mystery and adventure with engaging characters and intriguing plots.

[Alexis Lathrop]

I thought this book didn't have much action but the mystery was on a good base. In this book, the Aldens go in the mountains. They take a hike around the lake there and get told of lake monster stories. They try to figure out if there is really a lake monster. Along the way, they find a new friend. Is the lake monster real?

[Joseph D.]

Book 62 of the Boxcar Children. ​This was a fun mystery. Is there really a monster out in that lake? All seems skeptical until they find a footprint. Suddenly, the footprint is gone. It is going to take the Alden children to sort this one out. A quick fun read and now a classic.

Joseph McKnight
http://www.Josephmcknight.com

[Kasey Loftis]

This was another great book in the series. This series is what sparked my love for reading and for mysteries when I was a child. They were all I would read when I was in 3-5 grade. I took a chance to go back and read a couple while I've been in a bit of a reading slump, and I am surprised at how much I still like them as an adult.

[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. Would recommend.

[Kim Hampton]

Another great mystery.

[Karly]

:)

[Mindy G.]

PB- to Levi

[Sue Ann Dashnaw]

Loved it
A favorite childhood series
Love a good mystery
Always have 😄

[Sierra Gonzales]

Gertrude Chandler Warner, author of The Boxcar Children adds another mystery to the series titled The Mystery of the Lake Monster. This story reintroduces us to our protagonists Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny. In this addition the Alden’s visit Lake Lucille and are intrigued into the mystery of the legendary Lucy, the supposed monster of the lake. As each of the side stories unfold, we see different sides of the resort owner, Nora, her husband, an on the job snarky Biologist and, a creepy old guy with his dog appropriately named WildMan. The mystery of the Lake monster is a new adventure for the Alden kids, but who could be behind the hoaxes and noises? Was it really a monster?
~ After being well versed in the Boxcar children series, Warner matches the templates of the stories with nearly the same characters: The person who is The Ringleader, a person who Is head but also classifies as a suspect, the angry professional, the weirdo head-scratcher, and the person you would least expect. I believe, for a younger audience, this encourages reader comprehension; with similar characters, it makes the audience understand the differentiation between the characters. It’s cleverly done for a children’s mystery book. Charming and clever but also easy to read and reinforces reader inferences.
The only con towards the series in a whole is the repetitive nature of the text. I feel like this would benefit students with reading comprehension issues more than anything else. Other than that I feel like The Boxcar Children series written by Gertrude Chandler Warner are perfect for implementation in the classroom.

[Kelnishia]

The boxcar children are really good books.the book is about four kid who used live in a boxcar but now live with there grandfather now they are taking a vacation then when the alden arrive rumors start to spreading about there being a lake monster. the alden meets a scientist who really cant tell if there is a lake monster or not so now it up to the boxcar children to find the truth . i only gave this book two stars because i am not really into mystery book but i like the drama.

[Amy]

I got this as an incredibly cheap kindle book, and I am surprised these Boxcar Children mysteries are not bad. This one even teaches a bit about legendary lake creatures (Loch Ness and Lake Champlain.) This is good for early elementary, but an older kid who finds reading to be a challenge would enjoy it, too.

[Partridge Public]

Warner, Gertrude C. PB

[Maggie]

This book makes me wonder if there really is a lake monster????