The Boxcar Children: The Garden Thief

The Boxcar Children:The Garden Thief:130

Created by Gertrude Chandler Warner, Albert Whitman & Company, 2012, 107 pp., ISBN 978-0-8075-2751-1, $15.99.

This is the author's version of a work that was submitted/accepted for publication in the following source:

Catholic Library World, Jun2012, Vol. 82 Issue 4, p.317.

The Boxcar children have been a family favorite for generations. Only the first nineteen stories were written by creator Warner. Other books in the series have been written by other writers. The recent books of the series are set in the modern day. One wonders why this series continues to be popular. Many parents remember reading them when they were young. They want to share this experience with their children. Another reason is that the stories are written in simple prose that is appealing to people of various ages. The writing is basic which makes it readable for young readers, but the stories are also fun to read.

In this new addition to the series, the many strong points of the series continue. Grandfather’s friend, Mr. Yee, has broken his arm and he cannot tend his prize-winning garden. He has won many blue ribbons for his garden in the past. The children, Benny, Violet, Jessie, and Henry offer to help Mr. Yee. Another difficulty is that someone has been vandalizing and stealing fruits and vegetables from the garden. The kids tell Mr. Yee they will help him solve this mystery.

The Garden Thief is an exciting mystery that will keep the reader turning the pages. It includes black and white drawings that complement the text. The Garden Thief  is written for ages seven-ten or grades two-five. It also will serve as a good read-aloud for the family or classroom.