The Copycat Mystery

The Boxcar Children #83

by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Boxcar Children, mystery

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Audiobook, Chapter Books, Young Adult

137 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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light and fun reading for improving my English knowledge with the aid of Google Translator.

SYNOPSIS: "The Alden children are going back in time by helping at an old Victorian house that has been turned into a museum. But rumor has it that the place is haunted by the spirit of practical joker Horace Wagner! Is there really a ghost?"

[Kathleen Meacham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable -- my first experience with this author and this kid's series. Everything it should be for these types of stories. Solid, fun little plot. Good closure -- wrapping up all the details. I look forward to reading more of these -- and there are many to choose from.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time to read a Boxcar Children book. They sounded so lame when I was a kid, "Boxcar Children?" I missed out apparently.

This was fun to read with Annabelle. At the end of the book when the Alden kids were unfolding they mystery, Annabelle mentioned that they figured their mystery out a lot quicker than Jack and Annie do (from The Magic Tree House series). Too funny!

[Julie W · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first Boxcar Children Mystery I read with my son. A quick read that kept both of us interested to the very end.

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Copycat Mystery," the Alden children find themselves at the Wagner Farmhouse, a Victorian museum where the boundary between historical curiosity and modern mischief blurs. Henry, the eldest, serves as the steady anchor of the group, utilizing his physical strength and protective nature to navigate the museum’s secrets, though his tendency to over-protect his siblings sometimes blinds him to the more subtle clues. Jessie, ever the organized observer, keeps the investigation grounded with her sharp attention to detail and domestic prowess, though her desire for order can make her overly cautious when dealing with the unpredictable. Violet’s sensitive, artistic temperament allows her to perceive emotional nuances in the environment that others miss, though her shyness often keeps her from speaking up until a mystery is nearly solved. Benny, the youngest, provides the impulsive curiosity that often forces the group into the heart of the action, acting as the catalyst for discoveries that the more reserved siblings might have overlooked. Their deep, familial bond is the engine of the narrative; they function as a single unit where Henry’s leadership, Jessie’s logic, Violet’s intuition, and Benny’s spontaneity create a perfect investigative synergy.

The plot centers on a series of "copycat" pranks at the farmhouse that mimic the legendary antics of Horace Wagner, a historical figure known for his elaborate practical jokes. As the Aldens investigate, they encounter secondary characters like the museum curator, whose desperate attempts to save the site create a cloud of suspicion, and local townsfolk whose varying connections to the house provide both leads and red herrings. A major plot twist reveals that the "ghostly" disturbances are not supernatural but are instead calculated acts of sabotage intended to drive down the property's value. This discovery shifts the tone from a spooky, atmospheric mystery to a grounded tale of human greed. The subplots involving the restoration of specific museum artifacts act as vital clues, as the perpetrator uses these items to stage their pranks, making every object in the house a potential piece of evidence.

The novel explores the theme of legacy, contrasting the genuine preservation of history represented by the Aldens against the destructive nature of those who would erase the past for personal gain. It highlights how artifacts serve as a bridge between generations, suggesting that our connection to the past is fragile and requires active defense. Another prominent theme is the nature of perception versus reality; the "ghost" of Horace Wagner serves as a metaphor for how fear and superstition can cloud rational judgment. By stripping away the supernatural veneer, the story emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and looking past surface-level appearances to uncover the truth. Ultimately, the Aldens learn that preserving history is not just about keeping buildings standing, but about understanding the stories and people behind them.

"The Copycat Mystery" is a quintessential entry in the series, balancing charm with a clever puzzle that keeps the reader engaged until the final reveal. If you enjoy this type of classic, wholesome mystery, you might also appreciate the "Nancy Drew" series by Carolyn Keene or the "Trixie Belden" books by Julie Campbell.

[Linda Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can see why these books were so popular when they came out and for decades after. The stories feature the kids, solving problems, giving kids role models to follow. I'd never read one of these stories before. It blended many of the characteristics of mystery and suspense books, which was the primary reason I read it. I liked the story, though I can't confess to loving it, but then I'm not a kid.

[Joseph D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 83 of the Boxcar Children. This was perfectly executed and one that I would recommend any mystery reader read. Perfect red herrings and believable motives. This short mystery will keep you guessing to the end. Amazing job and well written mystery. ​

Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com

[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.

[aem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another mystery for boxcar children to solve

[Kara Kuehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was alright but other Boxcar Children books are better.

[Charles Reed · Rating 2 out of 5]

48%

Dumb how there weren't any hints until near the end

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute short story about pranks and practical jokes.

[Kim Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this series.

[V. Arrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a slightly more sophisticated mystery than most of the BC books of this era, which is nice.

[Sy Ewoniuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the Boxcar Children the Copy-Cat Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner. I finished this book on 5/3/2013. This book is a mystery. What I liked about this book is that it kept me on my heels you didn't know what would happen next. Someone moved the farmhouse sign behind the barn. An antique bird cage was stolen from the parlor. Then the bird cage shows up with a canary in it. Then someone cut Benny’s and Henry’s pants. Someone hung up all the pictures backward. I would use the words suspenseful, exhilarating, cool, and extreme. Yes I would read more books by this author. If there were more quarters left in the year. Maybe next year I will read more books by her. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes kids and mysteries.

[Deborah Harris]

AR Quiz No. 51861 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 4.4 - AR Pts: 3.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP, VP

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Takes a while to get used to the audiobook performance but once we got past that my kids and I enjoyed this one! 3 stars from me, 4 from the 10yo and 5 from the 6yo.

[Licie Louis]

good

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someone is pulling pranks in a Victorian house museum... how dare they! Don't worry the kids are here to put an end to it and "save" the day.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh, soooooooooo goooooooood! it made me laugh some, too

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

great when ur little