The Boxcar Children by: G. Warner

 

Title: The boxcar children / by Gertrude Chandler Warner ; illustrated by L. Kate Deal.

Publisher: Whitman, p1977, c1977

FollettBound ISBN-13: 978-0-329-62306-7

Interest Level: 3-6

Reading Level: 3.7

Book Summary:
Henry, Jessy, Violet, and Benny face what they think, are the horrors of having to live with a mean old grandfather. Orphans and scared they runway and find an old red boxcar that, with some good old-fashioned hard-work, ingenuity, and determination, becomes their home.

My Thoughts:

This has been and always will be one of my favorite series to share with children. It is interesting to me that so many people love this book, and then so many hate it. Many critics say the book is unrealistic, but it is not a realistic fiction novel. Some say that there is no way that children could survive like that today, but it was not written about children today, it was written in 1942.

This is what I think:

1) The four children are always nice to each other 

     and have impeccable manners.

2) Warner writes in complete sentences, without 

    slang, and in a way we would like our children to 

    learn.

3) There is suspense and adventure without being 

    gruesome or violent.

I believe the problem with many books today is that we try to hard to emulate children, even if they are naughty. Here is the question; do books emulate children, or do children emulate what they read?

For me I would much rather have a romping good adventure learning with my son to be self-reliant and kind no matter what the situation. It is much better than being like the mouthy, disrespectful, violent characters that are seen as "modern" like "cute" little Junie B. Jones.

Library Toolbox of Tips and Tricks:

Hurricane Benny hits this library.  

What a wonderful book to teach about preparedness, problem solving, and self-reliance!  Set up a scenario with the children that they are stuck in the library together for 24 hours because Hurricane Benny has hit! What should they do for food? Safety? Water? Bathroom? Let the children come up with their own disaster plan for the library. When they realize things would have been much easier if they had been a little more prepared, have them make a list of items that the school should have for an emergency. Have children bring in items to donate to the library and keep them in a "library safety box."

References:

Image: The Boxcar Children [book cover]. Retrieved from: 
     http://www.titlewave.com/cover?FLR=35036X7&
     SID=918524560bbd8f3fcad37deba47722c6&type=cover