The Mystery of the Midnight Dog

The Boxcar Children #81

by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Book by Warner, Gertrude Chandler

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

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

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]

Learning English on my own. My book + Scribd audio. It's the second time that I read it! And I read in just one sitting because it was easier now.
Synopsis: "When the Aldens first arrive in Elbow Bend, they meet Kate Frances, who tells them all sorts of ghost stories about the town! The scariest tale is about a ghost dog who howls at midnight and appears to warn people of danger! The Aldens think it is just a story until they hear dogs all over Elbow Bend howling at midnight. Does the ghost dog really exist or is someone playing a trick on them? The Boxcar Children are determined to find out."

[Amanda]

I randomly picked this up at the library a while ago for nostalgia, and it was the perfect length of book to spend my evening with tonight.

[Simon]

"The Mystery of the Midnight Dog" is a quintessential entry in the Boxcar Children series, capturing that signature blend of childhood curiosity and low-stakes mystery. The story follows the Alden siblings—Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny—as they visit Mrs. Wade in Elbow Bend. The plot kicks off when the quiet town is rattled by synchronized midnight howling and Benny’s sighting of a spectral white dog. This supernatural hook serves as the primary engine for the narrative, forcing the siblings to transition from houseguests to investigators as they navigate local folklore and the skeptical attitudes of the townspeople.

The character dynamics remain the core strength of the book. Henry acts as the protective leader, using his physical strength and steady judgment to ground the group, though his unwavering logic can sometimes make him dismissive of the more imaginative theories proposed by Benny. Jessie provides the organizational backbone, her sharp attention to detail often catching clues others miss, though her need for order can occasionally stifle the group's spontaneity. Violet offers the emotional sensitivity needed to connect with the locals, often uncovering secrets through empathy, while Benny provides the essential "outsider" perspective; his youth is his greatest asset, allowing him to notice the phantom dog when the others are distracted by adult concerns. Their relationship is symbiotic: they balance each other’s flaws, ensuring that no lead goes unexplored.

The supporting cast, particularly Mrs. Wade and her granddaughter, are instrumental in driving the plot forward. They act as the conduits for the town’s history, providing the necessary exposition that transforms a simple mystery into a deeper exploration of Elbow Bend’s past. Subplots involving the town’s skepticism toward the "ghost" serve to increase the tension, as the children must work in secret to prove that the phenomena have a logical, physical origin rather than a paranormal one. The shift from a spooky atmosphere to a grounded, mystery-solving tone is handled with the series' typical gentle pacing, making the resolution feel earned rather than forced.

The theme of courage is central to this novel, as the Aldens must face their fears of the unknown. Even when faced with what appears to be a supernatural threat, they refuse to retreat, showing that bravery isn't the absence of fear, but the decision to investigate it. This teaches readers that the scariest things in life are often just misunderstood occurrences waiting for a bit of common sense and investigative spirit to be demystified.

Another prominent theme is the importance of community and heritage. By exploring the local ghost stories of Elbow Bend, the children learn that every town has a layered history that informs its present. The story suggests that by listening to the elders and respecting the legends of a place, one can uncover the truth about current events. It emphasizes that connection to one’s surroundings and the people who inhabit them is the key to solving the puzzles we encounter in our daily lives.

Finally, the book highlights the power of sibling cooperation. Throughout the narrative, the Aldens never falter because they trust each other implicitly. Their collective assets—Henry’s leadership, Jessie’s logic, Violet’s intuition, and Benny’s curiosity—create a complete investigative unit. This serves as a reminder that challenges are best met when we rely on the diverse strengths of those closest to us, reinforcing the idea that no individual is as effective as a cohesive, supportive family.

Ultimately, "The Mystery of the Midnight Dog" is a charming, atmospheric mystery that rewards careful observation and teamwork. If you enjoy this type of lighthearted, investigative adventure, you might also enjoy "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin or the "Encyclopedia Brown" series by Donald J. Sobol.

[Charlotte]

The kids wanted to stop reading this early on because it was too spooky for them (ages 4 and 7), but we eventually finished it. It's shorter than some of the other Boxcar Children books, and ended rather abruptly! We might ultimately read it again, but it wasn't as resonant as some of the earlier ones, like the Blue Bay Mystery, or even the Mystery of the Mixed-Up Zoo.

[Ashley Randolph]

Alright. I’ll be honest. I probably added an extra star since the book is set in my neck of the woods AND refers to Kathryn Tucker Windham although not explicitly by name. I’d guess that Elbow Bend was Gees Bend but I don’t think Gee’s Bend is big enough

[Joseph D.]

Book 81 of the Boxcar Children. Wow even in this time people would do anything for attention. This is a no harm mystery that will leave you hoping for some Scooby snacks. An excellent short read safe for all age groups. ​

Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.con

[Cherish Brown]

(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.

[Kris Kizer]

I thought these were listed in order - how is Benny 6 years old again?

[Kim Hampton]

Another great addition to the series.

[Mrs. Bahns]

In this book there is a mysterious dog that looks like a ghost. The Aldens want to uncover this mystery.

[Laura]

great when ur little

[Dominic]

so far I think it is creepy

[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 :)

[Charlie Miksicek]

The Boxcar Children books are a must read series for resourceful, independent, and self reliant children.

[Grace DuBois]

Short, sort of funny. It was like all the others I think.