The Dinosaur Mystery

The Boxcar Children #44

by Gertrude Chandler Warner

The Aldens are excited to with the Dino World exhibit at the Natural History Museum! But when they see a giant shadow moving in the museum and the T. rex bones go missing, they're spooked! Can the Boxcar Children solve the mystery and find the bones before the exhibit opens?

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

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

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

[Branson Hipp · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thought this would be a somber existentialist tale about the post-modern American experience: spiritually orphaned youths striving to solve the mysteries of life in a context-less era, left only with the fossils of a greater age.

Turns out it’s a kids book, not even set in the Thomas the Tank Engine universe

[Jessica Woodring · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one had major Scooby Doo vibes and I was here for it…until the end when the villains responsible for stealing dinosaur bones and LOCKING the CHILDREN in a planetarium and turning the power off didn’t have any consequences. I’m all for forgiveness and rehabilitation, but these villains didn’t even get a slap on the wrist! Also, surprisingly…no food in this one.

[Nurmister · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was in elementary school I had this old teacher I thought was really stuck-up: Mrs McKay was her name, although I called her Mackey. All I wanted to be around that age was a paleontologist, and I made that well-known to anyone who had met me at least once (not sure what it is about kids and dinos, but hey) .

One morning Mrs McKay met me before the day started and gave me this book, and a tattered set of flashcards about dinosaurs. They were the sweetest cards: earnest little pictures of dinosaur toys meant to represent the different species (not enough of a budget for illustrations, I suppose) and simple facts underneath. I remember being surprised and ecstatic, but somehow I sensed that she was hesitant to give me the cards.

I also remember I kept them proudly on the left corner of my desk, sipping peeks through the day. Once it was over, I thanked her again before I left class. It was about then I felt her attitude towards giving the cards changed -- she seemed relieved I was so gentle and treasured them so much. I later learned that the cards were her son's. This memory always makes me happy. I still have the cards and book, though not where I'm staying now. I'll never give them away, so I suppose they'll be buried with me!

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Dinosaur Mystery," 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 Dinosaur Mystery" is a charming addition to "The Boxcar Children" series, perfect for kids who enjoy a classic, gentle mystery.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

This might be more suspenseful to a child, but I had it all called by halfway through the book (and I'm usually dense when it comes to mysteries). The plot felt disjointed/abridged. Not one of the better ones, although it was clean. Also, the idea of letting any six or seven year old near anything extremely precious or valuable is ludicrous to me. Even ten, twelve, and fourteen year olds are a stretch, but if they're responsible, maybe. But no matter how well behaved your six or seven year old is, that's just not smart.

[Joseph D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really expecting this to be a good one. It shaped up to but but I feel it missed the opportunity. The story was good and the plot ran fine. Would just have liked to have seen the bad guy developed further. It felt like it was rushed. Overall decent.


Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com

[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.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Boxcar Children mystery called the Dinosaur Mystery. A children’s story both fun and interesting, or for anyone who likes a quick read. What happened to the missing dinosaur bones. If they aren’t found, the coming exhibit will be ruined. The Boxcar Children are on the case.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining...the names cracked me up
The Diggs - Museum Owners
Dr Pettibone - Paleontologist
Dr Skyler - Planetarium Director

[Charles Reed · Rating 2 out of 5]

48%

Worst museum staff ever.

[Kim Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the series.

[Carrie]

Dear god why would you include a dentist drill sound effect???

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked that the fossil exsprt took the dinosaur bones

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boxcar children are visiting a museum with their cousin soolee. They explore a huge HUGE Tyrannosaurus rex! They are staying with mrs. and mr. Diggs. In the museum they visit a room called entomology.
(which means bugs bugs BUGS:q!)But that is not the fun part, this is the mystery part! Then some of the bones from the tyrannosaurus rex are missing, and the boxcar children are up too finding the person that stole the bones of the tyrannosaurus rex and the tyrannosaurus bones. I hope you can read the book. I'll see you next time!

[Partridge Public]

Warner, Gertrude C. PB

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looks good

I <3 Dinos!!!! :)

[Mrs. Bahns · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book the Aldens go to the meuseum and find out that things are missing. The Aldens try to find out who is.

[Kristen]

I loved the boxcar children when I was a kid. And there's tons of books in the series, which I loved.

[Jianfeng X. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it is great,but the mystery is so simple.

[Sticks · Rating 5 out of 5]

They like dinosaurs.

[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 :)

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

great when ur little