What do you think?
Rate this book
The Boxcar Children Halloween Special
A set of three mysteries―The Mystery of the Singing Ghost, The Mystery at Skeleton Point, and The Mystery of the Mummy's Curse.
376 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
21 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Gertrude Chandler Warner
536 books767 followersGertrude 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/...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 29, 2013
The Boxcar Children series is great for teaching kids about skepticism.
February 5, 2017
Very enjoyable. I will probably read more of these.
November 7, 2016
The Mystery of the Singing Ghost
I don’t remember the kids looking like this. the cover is modern too.
I had one boxcar book when I was a kid. Not sure if I ever read it.
‘They could hardly believe they had once run away from him. After their parents had died, they had heard that their grandfather was a mean man who wouldn’t be nice to them. They had lived in a boxcar, until Mr. Alden had found them and took them and their boxcar back to his estate.’
So that’s how it happened!!
I found one at a local book shop where they were living with a relative(idr who, but now I know it was their grandpa). I couldn’t believe it!
I can’t believe Mr. Farley told them all about the ghost! Who it was& when. Where’s the mystery??
Benny isn’t acting like a 6 yr old.
Doesn’t Mr. Yeats, an adult, realize he can take a picture of the house& paint that?
Wasn’t scary/surprising to hear a voice singing because we expected it.
“Since our grandfather found us and brought us here,” Benny answered. Ms. Evans laughed and started to leave the store.’ That’s odd that she would just leave after that.
“Mr. Farley was certainly definite,” Jessie said.’ Idc if she is 12, that’s too mature a way for her to speak. Adults don’t even talk like that.
How did Mrs. Evans know the kids would be at the house then?
She says “I just wanted to ask you a few questions.” Asks one question--did they know Celia Roth--and then leaves!
It’s weird how they call their granddad ‘Mr. Alden.’
The last diary journal wasn’t good.
‘THE ALDEN CHILDREN.’“Aldens: Go home and stay home.” that note wasn't scary at all. very juvenile.
The granddad called to have the phone put in. They say in the kitchen. What if they don’t want it in the kitchen? It isn’t their house!
Convenient that the couple doesn’t move in, so the kids have all this time to clean by themselves.
Ppl say things &there’s no response back.
“Well, I’ve hooked up the phone& it’s working.” this is an example of the weird way ppl talked in here. they suddenly end conversations& just leave.
OMG he let them stay at the house alone. That would never happen!
typo: ‘You don’t want him to ge lost.’
“There’s that smell again. like roses. Only there are no roses here. Remember they died and we threw them away.” the smell could have remained. &if there weren't any roses, and obviously there's no ghost, what did cause it?
That’s so sad! He never saw the letter!
Back staircase. That’s handy! Where is it at? I couldn’t picture it.
Red&gray sweter Mrs. Carter had on the day they met. Idr that.
They’re carrying the tape recorder and dress. I hate it ended like this!!
Tricked ppl until the ‘smart’ kids came along. Its ridiculous it takes kids to figure this out.
A real turnaround: “If your cousins ever need anything, I hope they’ll call on us.” There's no way you go from trying to run them off, to wanting to help the new owners.
Celia doesn’t look that old!
Good line: “I can’t thank you enough for giving me back my father.”
“Charlie Farley.” Should have used a better name!
“I had a real crush on you when I was a boy.” Mrs. Collins smiled, too. “I knew that, Charlie.” Wow, way to say you didn’t like him.
‘Mr. Farley looked thoughtful. “I think that was why I wanted to believe your ghost was still in the house. Just so I could pretend you were still here.” So the crazy neighbor turns out to be thoughtful. She doesn’t even say anything!
& Mr. Yeatz was just angry about the painting& wanted Farley to keep an eye on the children. So generous he gives the painting to Mrs. Collins. But weird, because he spent so long on it&wanted it so bad.
‘I know that you love me, as I love you, and would reply if you could. Your loving father, Robert Roth.” Author tried to make it better. But you wouldn’t put something so personal in an ad.
The kids were alone throughout the book, going to town &sleeping at the house. &cleaning it. kids wouldn’t know how to clean that good. &they bought fruit when they ate, which most kids wouldn’t do.
The Mystery of the Mummy’s Curse
Does she start out all the books the same?? A repeat of how they lived in a boxcar& then their granddad found them.
Museums borrow exhibits. That was cool to learn.
Not interesting. A woman is listening to them at the next table, has something in her hand.
Dr. Snood says children shouldn’t be in museums. what a crazy thing to say! That's how they learn!
Where face should have been it was just bandages. What else would be there? It’s a mummy.
“It looks different from dolls today, but I’m sure the girl who owned it loved it just as much.” that was a cute sentence.
Tina breaks her ankle. This conveniently gets her out of the way, and the kids step in.
“Maybe it’s the mummy’s curse.” Nobody else had it.
OMG they’re cleaning gain!! Do the kids always clean??
Henry doesn’t believe in curses. Some kids don’t, but a lot do. Author trying to send a message here? These kids are way too practical. Most would believe in ghosts& things.
A 6 yr old says: “Well, idk about you guys, but I’m too hungry to worry about Lori Paulson.”
It’s so annoying how Lori is pumping kids for information.
“We’re helping with the new exhibit, but Pete told us not to talk about it.” Then they say it’s upstairs. Way to go, kids!
‘”Actually, we haven’t seen anything,” Violet said, surprising everyone. She was very shy and didn’t usually say much to pople she didn’t know wel.’ Since when?!
How could Dickenson know Snood didn’t like kids if she hasn’t met him?
Jessie can help clean up. After the room had been cleaned, the walls needed painting. Well the kids can do that too! Kids would not be cleaning/painting a museum!
Egyptians painted what the deceased person liked doing when they were alive on their tomb. that's interesting.
Mummification is weird for a kids book. Decaying body. Stuffing it with sawdust or sand. They put jewels and magical charms between the layers. Took 15 days to bandage a mummy. This story is informative. Different illustrator for this one. So I thought it might be more detailed, but no. we need more backgrounds. The drawings are sketchy-looking. Henry looks so dif!
“I noticed something was wrong in the prep room this morning,” said Jesse.
“We all did--someone messed everything up,” said Henry.’ Duh!
“Oh my goodness,” Sam said, sinking into her chair. “So we have a thief.”
Everyone was silent for a moment.
Then Sam spoke. “We mustn’t jump to conclusions. The st
I don’t remember the kids looking like this. the cover is modern too.
I had one boxcar book when I was a kid. Not sure if I ever read it.
‘They could hardly believe they had once run away from him. After their parents had died, they had heard that their grandfather was a mean man who wouldn’t be nice to them. They had lived in a boxcar, until Mr. Alden had found them and took them and their boxcar back to his estate.’
So that’s how it happened!!
I found one at a local book shop where they were living with a relative(idr who, but now I know it was their grandpa). I couldn’t believe it!
I can’t believe Mr. Farley told them all about the ghost! Who it was& when. Where’s the mystery??
Benny isn’t acting like a 6 yr old.
Doesn’t Mr. Yeats, an adult, realize he can take a picture of the house& paint that?
Wasn’t scary/surprising to hear a voice singing because we expected it.
“Since our grandfather found us and brought us here,” Benny answered. Ms. Evans laughed and started to leave the store.’ That’s odd that she would just leave after that.
“Mr. Farley was certainly definite,” Jessie said.’ Idc if she is 12, that’s too mature a way for her to speak. Adults don’t even talk like that.
How did Mrs. Evans know the kids would be at the house then?
She says “I just wanted to ask you a few questions.” Asks one question--did they know Celia Roth--and then leaves!
It’s weird how they call their granddad ‘Mr. Alden.’
The last diary journal wasn’t good.
‘THE ALDEN CHILDREN.’“Aldens: Go home and stay home.” that note wasn't scary at all. very juvenile.
The granddad called to have the phone put in. They say in the kitchen. What if they don’t want it in the kitchen? It isn’t their house!
Convenient that the couple doesn’t move in, so the kids have all this time to clean by themselves.
Ppl say things &there’s no response back.
“Well, I’ve hooked up the phone& it’s working.” this is an example of the weird way ppl talked in here. they suddenly end conversations& just leave.
OMG he let them stay at the house alone. That would never happen!
typo: ‘You don’t want him to ge lost.’
“There’s that smell again. like roses. Only there are no roses here. Remember they died and we threw them away.” the smell could have remained. &if there weren't any roses, and obviously there's no ghost, what did cause it?
That’s so sad! He never saw the letter!
Back staircase. That’s handy! Where is it at? I couldn’t picture it.
Red&gray sweter Mrs. Carter had on the day they met. Idr that.
They’re carrying the tape recorder and dress. I hate it ended like this!!
Tricked ppl until the ‘smart’ kids came along. Its ridiculous it takes kids to figure this out.
A real turnaround: “If your cousins ever need anything, I hope they’ll call on us.” There's no way you go from trying to run them off, to wanting to help the new owners.
Celia doesn’t look that old!
Good line: “I can’t thank you enough for giving me back my father.”
“Charlie Farley.” Should have used a better name!
“I had a real crush on you when I was a boy.” Mrs. Collins smiled, too. “I knew that, Charlie.” Wow, way to say you didn’t like him.
‘Mr. Farley looked thoughtful. “I think that was why I wanted to believe your ghost was still in the house. Just so I could pretend you were still here.” So the crazy neighbor turns out to be thoughtful. She doesn’t even say anything!
& Mr. Yeatz was just angry about the painting& wanted Farley to keep an eye on the children. So generous he gives the painting to Mrs. Collins. But weird, because he spent so long on it&wanted it so bad.
‘I know that you love me, as I love you, and would reply if you could. Your loving father, Robert Roth.” Author tried to make it better. But you wouldn’t put something so personal in an ad.
The kids were alone throughout the book, going to town &sleeping at the house. &cleaning it. kids wouldn’t know how to clean that good. &they bought fruit when they ate, which most kids wouldn’t do.
The Mystery of the Mummy’s Curse
Does she start out all the books the same?? A repeat of how they lived in a boxcar& then their granddad found them.
Museums borrow exhibits. That was cool to learn.
Not interesting. A woman is listening to them at the next table, has something in her hand.
Dr. Snood says children shouldn’t be in museums. what a crazy thing to say! That's how they learn!
Where face should have been it was just bandages. What else would be there? It’s a mummy.
“It looks different from dolls today, but I’m sure the girl who owned it loved it just as much.” that was a cute sentence.
Tina breaks her ankle. This conveniently gets her out of the way, and the kids step in.
“Maybe it’s the mummy’s curse.” Nobody else had it.
OMG they’re cleaning gain!! Do the kids always clean??
Henry doesn’t believe in curses. Some kids don’t, but a lot do. Author trying to send a message here? These kids are way too practical. Most would believe in ghosts& things.
A 6 yr old says: “Well, idk about you guys, but I’m too hungry to worry about Lori Paulson.”
It’s so annoying how Lori is pumping kids for information.
“We’re helping with the new exhibit, but Pete told us not to talk about it.” Then they say it’s upstairs. Way to go, kids!
‘”Actually, we haven’t seen anything,” Violet said, surprising everyone. She was very shy and didn’t usually say much to pople she didn’t know wel.’ Since when?!
How could Dickenson know Snood didn’t like kids if she hasn’t met him?
Jessie can help clean up. After the room had been cleaned, the walls needed painting. Well the kids can do that too! Kids would not be cleaning/painting a museum!
Egyptians painted what the deceased person liked doing when they were alive on their tomb. that's interesting.
Mummification is weird for a kids book. Decaying body. Stuffing it with sawdust or sand. They put jewels and magical charms between the layers. Took 15 days to bandage a mummy. This story is informative. Different illustrator for this one. So I thought it might be more detailed, but no. we need more backgrounds. The drawings are sketchy-looking. Henry looks so dif!
“I noticed something was wrong in the prep room this morning,” said Jesse.
“We all did--someone messed everything up,” said Henry.’ Duh!
“Oh my goodness,” Sam said, sinking into her chair. “So we have a thief.”
Everyone was silent for a moment.
Then Sam spoke. “We mustn’t jump to conclusions. The st
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2017
Okay, okay, so sue me that I didn't read these as a child and have absolutely no childhood nostalgia for these books. I wanted to try them since we carry them at our library and want to know more about our children's collection.
They are sweet, little books that are completely safe to recommend to young readers. I was completely bored and skimmed most of it.
They are sweet, little books that are completely safe to recommend to young readers. I was completely bored and skimmed most of it.
December 31, 2024
I always loved The Boxcar Children. It was nice to read one book with three of the spooky stories included. I did like some of the stories more than the other ones. I like the simple stories. Just a fun read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews