The Panther Mystery

The Boxcar Children #66

by Gertrude Chandler Warner (Creator)

The Aldens travel to the Florida Everglades to search for a missing park ranger who studies the endangered Florida panther. But even with the help of a Miccosukee girl from the local village, they struggle to find a lead and the clues aren't adding up. The Aldens can't help but does Ranger Andrew want to stay missing?

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

128 pages, Paperback

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

[Janete on hiatus due health issues · Rating 4 out of 5]

Improving my English and having fun. My book + Scribd audio.
Synopsis: "The Aldens travel to Everglades National Park to help find a park ranger who has been missing for days. However, everyone they talk to seems angry and secretive instead of worried. Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny are determined to solve this mystery, even if it means following the trail deep into the spooky Everglades."

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is good, but (in my perspective) it's better because it's set in Everglades National Park, and we were there.

[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 :)

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Panther Mystery" takes the Aldens to the Florida Everglades, a unique setting that immediately sets the stage for adventure and intrigue. The mystery revolves around a missing park ranger named Andrew, who is dedicated to studying the endangered Florida panther. From the start, the tone is suspenseful, blending the natural beauty of the Everglades with the looming danger facing both the wildlife and the Aldens themselves.

The Alden children—Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny—each bring their unique strengths to the search. Henry, the eldest, is the natural leader, level-headed and responsible. Jessie's sharp mind and organizational skills are invaluable in piecing together clues. Violet's artistic eye helps her notice details others might miss, while young Benny's enthusiasm and curiosity often lead to unexpected discoveries. Their relationships with each other are the heart of the story; they work seamlessly as a team, supporting each other and leveraging their individual talents. A key relationship is their bond with a Miccosukee girl, who offers them invaluable insights into the local environment and culture. This connection is crucial, not only for solving the mystery but also for understanding the deeper themes of the book. Each character has flaws; Henry sometimes hesitates to take risks, Jessie can be overly cautious, Violet is occasionally too timid, and Benny's impulsiveness can lead them into trouble. However, these flaws are balanced by their courage, intelligence, and unwavering loyalty to one another.

The plot thickens with several twists and turns, keeping the reader guessing about Ranger Andrew's fate. The clues are initially puzzling, leading the Aldens down various paths, each more mysterious than the last. A significant plot twist involves the possibility that Ranger Andrew might not want to be found, adding a layer of complexity to the investigation. This element of the unknown keeps the tension high, as the children grapple with the idea that their mission might be more complicated than they initially thought.

One of the prominent themes in "The Panther Mystery" is environmental conservation. The plight of the endangered Florida panther is a central concern, highlighting the importance of protecting wildlife and their habitats. Warner subtly weaves in educational elements about the Everglades ecosystem, raising awareness about the delicate balance of nature and the impact of human actions. The book encourages young readers to appreciate and respect the natural world, fostering a sense of responsibility towards environmental stewardship.

Another theme is cultural understanding. The Aldens' interactions with the Miccosukee community emphasize the value of cross-cultural exchange and respect for different traditions. Through their friendship with the Miccosukee girl, the children learn about the tribe's history, customs, and deep connection to the land. This theme promotes empathy and open-mindedness, encouraging readers to appreciate the diversity of human experiences.

A final theme is the importance of perseverance and teamwork. The Aldens face numerous challenges and setbacks, but they never give up on their mission. Their ability to work together, pooling their strengths and supporting each other, is crucial to their success. This theme underscores the idea that even the most daunting tasks can be accomplished through collaboration, determination, and mutual respect.

In closing, "The Panther Mystery" is a captivating blend of adventure, suspense, and valuable life lessons. Gertrude Chandler Warner masterfully crafts a story that entertains while also educating young readers about important issues. If you enjoyed this book, you might also like "The Boxcar Children" series, which offers similar themes of adventure, mystery, and the importance of family. Another great option would be "The Hardy Boys" or "Nancy Drew" series for more thrilling mysteries.

[Joseph D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 66 of the Boxcar Children. Down to the Everglades for another mystery. Someone is missing and the Alden children are on the case. I liked that there was a little call back to previous stories. Also, the criminal was very real albeit the children aren’t in any danger. Still a good read and continue to recommend this series to young and old alike.

Joseph McKnight
http://www.Josephmcknight.com

[Teri-K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting mystery with good descriptions of the Everglades. In this story the Alden's have travelled to Florida to look for a missing young man who is ranger at Everglades National Park. The story included some references to the environmental problems facing the park and especially the Florida panther. A good book for young readers more interested in nature or the environment than sitting inside reading.

[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.

[Chantal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Suggesting that waiting at least three weeks before contacting the police that your child is missing is very unusual and definitely harmful.

On the plus side, it highlights a critically endangered mammal from the Florida Everglades and brings more awareness to the species.

[Angel Mouser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another decent mystery, but I don't fully get why the missing park ranger wasn't just honest to his boss? I feel like caring for the wildlife is part of the job so it shouldn't have needed to be a big secret.

[Kelly]

Really the book is about finding a missing man in the Everglades because his father thinks a grandfather and 4 minors would do a better job than the police.

[Kara Kuehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personally, I think some of the other boxcar children books are better.

[Charles Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

72%

Imagine having this many adventures in like 1 year(?) Be hella stressful

[Kim Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the glimpse into the Florida Everglades in this one.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery was different from many of them, and I enjoyed that. However, the man in question seemed to be very dumb for a ranger.

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 3 out of 5]

My love of reading started when i was young, and it gives me immense pleasure to provide books to Spread the Word Nevada, an organization that passes them on to children in the community. They are a terrific organization supporting an important cause. If your local I encourage you to check them out. For those living further a field, look in your own community, their may already be a similar program in place. And if not, you can always help start one.

http://spreadthewordnevada.org/

Myself, I go out on the weekends and
shop thrift store and bulk book lots to rescue books and donate them. Sometimes I'll find a book I remember reading when I was young and will read it again before passing it on.

I don't rate these books using my normal scale, instead I give most of them three stars. This isn't a Criticism of the book, simply my way of rating them as good for children.

[Iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Alden recieved a phone call from his friend who asked him to go see his son who hasen't called for a long time. Mr. Alden accepts and his grandchildren are on the mystery again. A lot of people are suspicious. The Boxcar children find out the the son of Mr. Alden's friend called Andrew was obsess ed with the rare but famous animal in Florida, the panther. Will this be a good mystery for the Boxcar children or too challenging.
I liked this book because I like mystery's and the Boxcar children's because they find many clews but the answer is at the end. I also liked this book becasue they wee in the wild not knowing what to do.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A perennial read in our Fourth grade classrooms. The students like it, and the familiar format makes it not too challenging, and allows students to be successful. A good read for children who are interested in the south Florida setting, or in the Everglades, that one of a kind environmental treasure.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like that they had a big search, but it's hard to remember because it's called the Panther Mystery and they're searching for a guy. I don't really get it because they're searching for a guy but it's called the Panther Mystery.

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, the box car children and their grandfather find Andrew Beldon, one of the people who protect panthers. Andrew Beldon was trying to find one of the panthers and got lost and the Alden family found him!

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing in this series is pretty basic. But like the Magic Treehouse books, the Boxcar Children sprinkle lessons throughout. Not the most exciting after reading more advanced things such as Harry Potter, but not bad.

["aww look at the wittle puppie! She's SOOO CUTE!!" · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was one of the first ones that got me hooked

[Mrs. Bahns · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book the Aldens go to the Everglades National Park and find out someone has gone missing. The Aldens try to find him.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

great when ur little

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never read any of the Boxcar Children before... It was a light and cheesy read...