The Firehouse Mystery

The Boxcar Children #56

by Gertrude Chandler Warner

The town council wants to tear down Greenfield's historic firehouse, but the Boxcar Children work to save it.

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

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

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

[Charles Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

68%

I didn't realize San Francisco was a big fishing area

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope sometime I can go to a fire house and have a tour of it! Can you believe I'm almost 9 and I haven't gone to a firehouse yet? And I live right next door to one. AND my younger sister and brother have both gone to a firehouse! This is a hint to my mom that I want to go...

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Firehouse Mystery" is another exciting installment in the Boxcar Children series, where the Alden children find themselves embroiled in a new adventure centered around an old, abandoned firehouse. The story begins with the Aldens exploring their town when they stumble upon the dilapidated firehouse. Intrigued by its history and potential, they decide to investigate, soon discovering that the building holds more secrets than they initially thought.

The main characters, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden, are central to the story's development. Henry, the eldest, is responsible and resourceful, often taking the lead in their investigations. His asset is his practical thinking, but his flaw is his occasional overcautiousness. Jessie is intelligent and organized, contributing her sharp mind to solving the mystery. Her asset is her attention to detail, but her flaw is her tendency to be overly critical. Violet is artistic and sensitive, using her keen observation skills to notice important clues. Her asset is her creativity, but her flaw is her shyness. Benny, the youngest, is enthusiastic and curious, bringing a sense of wonder to their adventures. His asset is his boundless energy, but his flaw is his impulsiveness.

The relationships between the Alden children are the heart of the series. Their strong bond and mutual support enable them to work together effectively. They rely on each other's strengths and compensate for each other's weaknesses, making them a formidable team. The plot is driven forward by their collective curiosity and determination to uncover the truth behind the firehouse's mysteries.

The tone of the novel is adventurous and suspenseful, with a focus on the children's resourcefulness and problem-solving skills. Warner creates a sense of intrigue as the Aldens uncover hidden passages, decipher old clues, and encounter suspicious characters. A major plot twist involves the discovery of a hidden treasure within the firehouse, leading the children on a thrilling chase to protect it from those who seek to steal it.

One of the key themes explored in the book is the importance of teamwork and cooperation. The Alden children demonstrate how working together can lead to success, even in the face of challenges. Another theme is the value of curiosity and exploration. The children's inquisitive nature leads them to discover new things and learn about the world around them. The novel also emphasizes the significance of preserving history and appreciating the stories of the past.

In closing, "The Firehouse Mystery" is an engaging and enjoyable read that will captivate young readers with its adventurous plot and endearing characters. If you enjoyed this book, I recommend reading other books in the Boxcar Children series, as well as "The Bobbsey Twins" series by Laura Lee Hope or "The Hardy Boys" series by Franklin W. Dixon for more classic children's mysteries.

[Jared Pangier · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a kid, I read many of The Boxcar Children, still carrying a fond memory of those times. Now, I get to read these to my kid. We started with the original Boxcar Children, along with the graphic novel version of the original, nearly a year ago. Now, we moved into #56, which brings The Alden children (who lost their parents and live with their grandfather, but are often quite independent) to another mystery, focused on saving the town's historic firehouse, which has some "historic" silver trophies not so securely locked away. Gertrude Chandler Warner tells a good mystery for elementary and younger and for the younger's parents:)

[Joseph D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 56 of the Boxcar Children. Can the Alden children save the old firehouse? Who is undermining keeping it open and operational. With some elbow grease soon the firehouse is looking great but more stuff is missing. Lots of suspects and a bit of a surprise in the end. You’ll like this one. ​

Joseph McKnight
http://www.Josephmcknight.com

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty typical Boxcar Children book, although I wasn't quite sure which of the suspects it was. The original problem could have been solved if the people involved would have had a sane conversation instead of getting emotional over it. Also some of the clues didn't quite seem true to life. However, all of this is written from an adult's perspective - a fun read for kids.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the best book of the Boxcar Children in my opinion and I feel like that everyone should reed this book.

I can’t believe that THAT person was the one who stole THOSE things in THAT way. No spoilers here guys.

Hope you enjoy it very much.

[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.

[Danny Mcalister · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 out 10

[Kim Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the information about fire safety, and that it showed people with different abilities in a positive light.

[Angel Mouser · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one definitely felt more educational than others in the series.

[Starr Bevenour · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Alden children go and visit an old firehouse were their grandfather used to volunteer when he was younger. To find that the city council is considering on taring it down and build a brand new and modern one in its place. The Alden children start a petition to save the historic building. But they soon find that's not that easy with that firefighters off chasing false alarms which seriously undermine their efforts in trying to save the firehouse.

As a fan of the boxcar children series I found this book to a enjoyable read.

[Isabel Sasine · Rating 5 out of 5]

audible

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've heard great things about the Boxcar Children. I dunno though.... Maybe it's the very 80s illustrations throwing me, but I'm just not entirely impressed.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

great when ur litle

[Cori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read May 12, 2019

[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 :)

[Partridge Public]

Warner, Gertrude C. PB

[Sara Kane]

really good