The Boxcar Children

The Boxcar Children Graphic Novels [2009 Albert Whitman] #1

by Shannon Eric Denton (Adapted By), Mike Dubisch (Illustrator), Gertrude Chandler Warner

Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden are brothers and sisters--and they're orphans The only way they can stay together is to make it on their own. One night, during a storm, the children find an old red boxcar that keeps them warm and safe. They decide to make it their home.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction, Mystery, Young Adult, Classics

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Shannon Eric Denton is a veteran storyteller and artist with credits at Cartoon Network, Warner Bros., Jerry Bruckheimer Films, NBC, Disney, Sony, ToyBiz, Marvel Entertainment, Fox Kids, Paramount, CBS, Dimension Films, DC Comics and Nickelodeon.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published August 25, 2026.

4 stars

The Boxcar Children weren’t my absolute favorites when I was growing up; I loved the first book when they were actually living in the boxcar but lost a lot of interest after that. However, it was nice to revisit as an adult and it’s great to see the series being kept alive in a format for today. I hope the story reaches lots of kids.

[SamZ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the original Boxcar books, so when I found a graphic novel had been made I thought I'd read them both and compare them. I was sadly disappointed in this version. The graphic novel seriously simplifies the story and while you get the general plot, you miss all the fun little details about the kids' ingenuity. I also really disliked how the feelings of fear, love, and pride were muted by this version. I have read much better graphic novels, so I know it wasn't the format- just the interpretation of the story that was lacking.

[Araceli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Text to text - Of course this graphic novel reminded me of the original Boxcar Children book although it left out elements of the book which is to be expected when converting a existing non-visual story into the visual medium. But it also brought me back to other older series such as the Nancy Drew books because of the strong and independent younger characters.
Text to Self - This graphic novel brought on quite a few nostalgic feelings for me because I LOVED the Boxcar Children when I was a kid. I must have reread it a dozen times and even read a lot of the mystery spin off books. It really just spoke to me because I have a sibling that I am very close to and even as a kid I knew I could get through anything with him.
Text to world - The Boxcar children has kind of a universal appeal because it is about the power of family and overcoming obstacles as a family for and for your family.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

When it comes to graphic novels, I have always been confused. Are they novels or are they comic books? Asking around, the only consensus that I can find is that they are pretty much comic books but produced on higher quality paper and bound like a book. That was not very helpful, so I decided to take the plunge and check it out.

When it comes to content, opinions vary. You either love them or do not understand the attraction. For me, I fall into the latter category. I just do not get the appeal.

The Boxcar children was originally published in 1924 and is a well know story centered around four children who create a home for themselves in an abandoned boxcar in the forest before they go to live with their grandfather they mistakenly thought to be a cruel man. I figured, why not start with an easy story to see if the whole “graphic” thing would help or hinder the storyline.

Personally, I think too much was left out. Relatively speaking, there were not many words and the reader was left to fill in the blanks with the illustrations.

Maybe that was the point and I am just too old to get it.

Truly, I do not mean to be insulting or dense, but I just did not get it. Obviously, others have had much better outcomes with this genre and I applaud their respect for the novels, but they are wasted on me.

[Randa Norton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3/5
Genre: Picture Book (Graphic Novel/Comic)
Audience: 7 years – 10 years

5 orphaned brothers and sisters try to make it on their own. They find an old boxcar during a storm one night and decide to make it their new home.

1. This book is fits in the specific category of comics/graphic novels because of the format of the text and the way the story is presented.
2. The illustrator used the visual element of color and composition in order to bring the stories being told to life.
3. I would use this book in most likely a read at home type of situation. I would let children read this series on their own.

[Lindsey Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I saw that there was a graphic novel series of the Boxcar Children, I was immediately interested in reading a couple of them. I thought the illustrations in this series was great and drew me in as a reader, but I did not enjoy the stories as much in graphic novel form. I like the aspect of graphic novels that allows readers to feel more like the story is coming to life because the pages are filled with pictures and there are more conversations and thoughts than narrative description, but the story was lacking in interest and detail without the narrative piece. I would consider keeping this series in my classroom for my students who love graphic novels and comics because they are easy to read and follow and the illustrations are good, but it was not my favorite series in graphic novel form.

[Carly Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery
Grades 3-5
I loved this little graphic novel! I really enjoyed reading this because as a child I read the Boxcar Children book series, so seeing it in a graphic novel form made me remember all I loved about it as a child. The book covers a series of events that the Alden children go through after loosing their parents, before finding their grandpa and living with him. The illustrations a great for this graphic novel and it is laid out in an elementary friendly way. This would be a great style of book to really focus on sequence of events in a reading block. The way the book is laid out where each different picture, or box, is a new event or idea really allows you to pay attention to the sequencing. This would also be a good book to introduce the idea of supporting each other. In the book the siblings stay together and work together to get their jobs done and to keep each other safe. This is an important to introduce in the classroom as an idea to keep in mind when students are working together. I really liked this book and hope to use it and other forms of mystery and graphic novels in my future classroom.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Boxcar Children series has been a popular one for many years. This graphic novel version of the original story is very engaging and I believe our young readers will enjoy it. The author did not change the story line or the characters. These four children, whose parents have died, are worried that their grandfather will not like them and want to split them up. So they take off on their own and find an abandoned boxcar in the woods where they live. The oldest boy goes to the nearest town to find work and is fortunate enough to work for a doctor who happens to know the grandfather. He unites them and the children find out that their grandpa loves them and wants them. The love the siblings have for one another is very evident in this story. I found this graphic novel version easy to follow and more engaging than the original book.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is good for grades 3 through 5.

This is the first book to a series about three adventurous young children living in the 1920s. In this book, the children discover and abandoned boxcar, and decide to make it their home. How will the children survive, and what adventures will come next?

I personally loved this series as a child, and I think it is a great series to present to young readers. Although the books are dated, and present gender steryotypes, children reading will understand it is a story from the past. I think it provides a fun glimpse into what these children lived like in America in the 1920s.

This book (and series) could be provided for students to free read in the class library. I think it could also be used as a book group book where I, the teacher, could discuss specific aspects of the story with the group.

[Rosa Hoffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

AWARDS THIS BOOK HAS RECEIVED: None
APPROPRIATE GRADE LEVEL: 3-5th grade
SUMMARY: This book follows the adventures of four orphaned siblings who fund refuge in a red train box car. They finally meet their wealthy grandfather who moves the boxcar to the backyard to be used as a playhouse, but all is not right with the grandfather and the kids set out to solve the mystery of who he is.
REVIEW: The graphic novel format is helpful for reluctant readers. It keeps them interested and it is easier for some children to follow along.
POSSIBLE USES IN THE CLASSROOM: This is a series of books which would be helpful in lesson plans involving recurring characters and exposition of a story. The children would be able to use decoding and predicting skill as they follow along with the story.

[Shay T · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review written with assistance from my 4 and 6 year old kids.

We loved the details in the story and the way the pictures enhanced the story. We thought it was easy to read independently (per the 6 y/o advanced reader who also loved the Wings of Fire graphic novel series). My 4 y/o loved the character Benny and the sweet resolution. My 6 y/o related to both Violet and Jessie. It’s a classic story my 6 y/o has read in the original format, but prefers this graphic novel version. They say SIX STARS and cannot wait for the whole series to come out!

I agree with the adult reviewers that there are details missing that make the original stories great - however for younger readers or early readers who get overwhelmed by pages of text, this is a great version that is worth a read.

[Ellon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I remember loving the Boxcar children books when I was younger. I don’t remember a whole lot about them though. Some things in the graphic novel seemed familiar from the books. I might have to go revisit them, especially because I want to check out the writing. I don’t know if the author of this adaptation was trying to simply things or what but the writing is terrible. It’s so stilted and the dialogue does not seem realistic at all. Also, the plot seems to jump around pretty quickly. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the illustration style with the blurry faces. Overall this was a huge letdown for me.

[Ricki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading graphic novels with intent to share with my kids. This one has:
-Decent but not great art
-Story that is appropriate for all ages (this is worth a whole star on its own in my books)
-Nothing really special about it. It tells the story in a very overview, summary kind of way, rather than showing the personality of any individual characters.
-It's a pretty slim volume. If it were bigger (maybe several stories in one) I might be interested, but it's definitely not worth the price of new purchase.

[Thida · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was a big fan of The Boxcar Children when I was a kid but I haven't read them for over two decades now. I checked out the graphic novel to revisit my childhood favorites and I can't understand why I was so addicted to them. The story doesn't make sense to me at all. Perhaps it did when I was a child.

[Pheonix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up reading The Boxcar Children books and absolutely loved them. Now my kids like them a lot. My 11 year old daughter is profoundly dyslexic and when she tries to read a novel the words literally scramble on the page like crumpled trash, but these graphic novels she can easily read on her own. I could listen to her read all day!

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I try to read this book to my class every Spring and when I saw there was a graphic novel, I had to check it out. It was ok. It hit the main plot points, but the characters were all one dimensional. None of the humor and pathos survived. I’d rather see a child experience the Box Car Children as a read aloud or an early independent chapter book.

[Minh · Rating 3 out of 5]

029. The Boxcar Children [Graphic Novel]
-Written by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Summary: 4 kids are orphans and try to fend for themself, find a red boxcar to live in. Eventually come to live with their grandfather.
Concepts: Family, Orphans, Living without Adults, Adventure
Type: Short Graphic Novel
Score: Not Bad, Good Drawings 3/5 Book 

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny are orphans when both parents die. They don't want to be separated so they run away. Finding an old boxcar gives them shelter. They befriend a dog, Watch. They eventually connect with their grandfather who is not the ogre they thought him to be. Entertaining graphic novel!!

[Kris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this series so much when I was a kid, but I didn't feel this adaptation captured the feeling of it well. It was condensed too much, and I didn't find the art very appealing. But my biggest complaint is that it failed to capture the children and why they were living like this and the close relationship they had. Just mediocre.

[Cole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having read the original book as a kid, I felt nostalgic and excited when I saw this graphic novel adaption. It was surely a disappointment. This rushed through the entire story of the first book and I didn't find the art that special. Maybe the rest of the series is done better? I don't know, but I might check them out eventually.

[Laura Mauro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this one was so cute!! I adored this book series when i was growing up and would love to rexperiecne this series on graphic novel. it has been so long since i read them. This was a great way to reexperiecne them. I think the first book was such a fun way to experiecne this series again!!
I will def read mroe of this series!

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much was left out from the novel version of the story that it made some parts laughable, but this graphic novel is really easy to read and generally tells the beloved story. (Which, as an adult, I honestly find to be hilarious. But somehow still adorable!)

[Nicole Cremeens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the Boxcar Children when I was little and read all the books. I thought I'd take a trip down memory lane and read the graphic novel version with illustrations. This skimmed their story and didn't go into any detail. I really wish there was more to it.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A super abbreviated review of an already short book, good for a 5-min refresher of characters and major plot points when your child has read / is reading the (original) book; but I wouldn't recommend it as a substitute.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very easy read. I lived the original story and thought it was fun to see it in graphic novel form. But I do feel like it was adapted for a younger audience. It simplified the story and I could see reading this to a toddler. But it was a fun quick read.

[Nicole D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's great to revisit a childhood favorite and find yourself as enchanted as you remembered. A cute fun adventure.
Definitely for younger ages.

[The Book Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations were great but I wished it was a little longer.

[Jena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful family story.

[Robin McCann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super quick read. The Boxcar Children was a fun series to read so I wanted to try the Graphic Novel version. It was OK but too short. :)