The Ghost Town Mystery (The Boxcar Children Ser., No. 71)

The Boxcar Children #71

by Gertrude Chandler Warner

One warm night four children stood in front of a bakery. No one knew them. No one knew where they had come from. Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny used to live alone in a boxcar. Now they have a home with their grandfather, who's just bought a plot of land in the Rocky Mountains. When the Aldens hear their land is haunted they don't believe it. But when they see a ghostly figure in Tincup, an old ghost town on their property, they know something's up. Back at the ranch, where the phone and electricity go out with suspicious frequency, they fit the clues together. There's a mystery here and the Aldens are determined to solve it!

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

121 pages, Paperback

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

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

great when ur little

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bad adults doing bad things to get their way, kids happen to be there and they don't believe in no ghost.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely enjoy reading Boxcar children books with my kiddo. It’s fun to revisit the Alden’s.

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Ghost Town Mystery," penned by Gertrude Chandler Warner, invites readers into a classic blend of mystery and adventure, set against the evocative backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. The novel intricately weaves together themes of family, courage, and the thrill of unraveling secrets, all while maintaining a tone that is both suspenseful and comforting.

At the heart of the story are the Alden children: Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny. Henry, the eldest, is the natural leader, possessing a strong sense of responsibility and bravery. His level-headedness often guides the group through tricky situations. Jessie, the second oldest, is the practical one, with a knack for organization and a keen eye for detail, which proves invaluable in piecing together clues. Violet, gentle and artistic, brings a sensitive perspective to their investigations, often noticing things that others overlook. Benny, the youngest, adds a touch of innocence and enthusiasm, his boundless energy and curiosity often leading the others down unexpected paths. Their relationships with each other are the bedrock of their success; they function as a cohesive unit, each sibling compensating for the others' weaknesses. Their grandfather, Mr. Alden, serves as a supportive figure, trusting their judgment and encouraging their independence, which allows them the freedom to explore and solve the mystery.

The plot thickens as the Aldens investigate strange occurrences in Tincup, the ghost town on their property. The ghostly figure they encounter is not what it seems, setting off a chain of investigations that reveal hidden motives and long-buried secrets. Subplots involving the ranch's unreliable utilities and suspicious locals add layers of complexity to the main mystery, keeping the readers guessing. Secondary characters, such as the enigmatic caretaker and the overly helpful neighbor, each play a crucial role, either aiding or hindering the Aldens' progress. The Aldens must navigate a web of deceit and misdirection, relying on their collective intelligence and bravery to uncover the truth.

One of the prominent themes in "The Ghost Town Mystery" is the power of family. The Alden children's unwavering loyalty and support for one another enable them to overcome obstacles that would be insurmountable alone. Their ability to work together, trust each other's instincts, and combine their unique skills highlights the strength that comes from familial bonds. Another significant theme is the triumph of courage over fear. Despite facing eerie and potentially dangerous situations, the Aldens never back down from their quest to uncover the truth. Their bravery is not reckless but is tempered by caution and a commitment to justice, demonstrating that even in the face of fear, one can stand firm and do what is right. The book also explores the theme of appearances versus reality. The ghostly figure and the strange events in Tincup initially seem supernatural, but as the Aldens dig deeper, they discover human motives behind the mysterious occurrences. This theme encourages readers to look beyond the surface and question assumptions, promoting critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the world.

The tone of the novel is a delightful mix of suspense and warmth, making it accessible to readers of all ages. Warner masterfully creates an atmosphere of intrigue without resorting to overly frightening or graphic content, ensuring that the story remains engaging and appropriate for young readers. The plot twists are cleverly woven into the narrative, keeping the suspense high and the revelations satisfying.

In closing, "The Ghost Town Mystery" is a captivating read that celebrates the values of family, courage, and perseverance. Simon, if you enjoyed this book, you might also like "The Mystery of the Hidden Treasure" by Franklin W. Dixon, which offers a similar blend of adventure and suspense, or "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett, which explores themes of discovery and transformation in a charming and engaging way.

[Joseph D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 71 of The Boxcar Children series. The Alden children are at it again. This runs along the same vein as the others. We have a couple of suspicious characters and a lot of bad cooking and bad hotel service. The is something rotten in Denmark and it ain’t just the cooking. Well thought out motivation with a silly repercussion. All in all it was a good quick read.

Joseph McKnight
http://www.Josephmcknight.com

[Kara Kuehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most Boxcar Children books are very predictable. This one is to a certain extent but there are some unexpected twists. It's definitely more surprising than the others.
The only criticism I have is a "ghost town" story would be way better without an actual ghost. It kind of messes up the whole ghost town concept.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Boxcar Children book is more of a real mystery. The reader is not sure of who is doing all of the weird stuff around Tincup Creek and the motive for why they are doing them until the end of the book. The plot is very predictable, especially if you read a lot of Boxcar Children books. It is good, but not remarkable.

[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.

[Alise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean it’s a children’s book from the late 90s that was number 71 in a series. Formulaic as intended with a predictable resolution. But the quality of the audiobook was really good. Not fully casted (that I can see) but great voice work and lots of backing noise. Would be a great listen for kids.

[Charles Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

76%

What year are these children in anymore??

[Kim Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the information about the Gold Rush. An interesting mystery also.

[NewFranklin School · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boxcar children:#71 - the ghost town mystery


This book - like any other boxcar book - has a great mystery. Its a short book, and I reccomend it for kids third grade through fifth grade.
In this book, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny go to a town their grandfather owns for a visit. Its a small town, but everyone likes it.Then, one night, the kids see a ghost! everyone knows ghosts aren't real, but the kids saw it. They are determined to find out the mystery of the ghost!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read it yet.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scooby Doo esgue tales