Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Review - The Boxcar Children: The Boardwalk Mystery

The Boxcar Children: The Boardwalk Mystery
Created By: Gertrude Chandler Warner
Written By: Tim Jessell
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Pub. Date: March 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-0807508039
Pages: 144 

Review:

Who doesn't remember reading The Boxcar Children when they were in elementary school? The original book by Gertrude Chandler Warner was published in 1924 and was reissued in 1942. The second book wasn't published until 1949. The author wrote a total of nineteen books until her death in 1979. The series continued in 1991 with a variety of ghostwriters writing new addictions and specials.

Recently, I had a chance to review book #131, The Boardwalk Mystery, from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I remember reading the original 19 books during my early elementary years and I was excited when the new books were released. I still own several of the books.

The Alden children (Henry, Violet, Jessie and Benny) are traveling with their grandfather to Oceanside, New Jersey on a business trip. The kids are excited about playing in the sand, exploring the boardwalk, and seeing all the attractions at Hanson's Amusements, which is owned by their grandfather's business friend, Mr. Hanson.

Mr. Hanson has been stressed since the opening of the Amusement. Someone has been sabotaging all the rides and causing chaos in the Amusement. A rumor spreads around town that the rides are unsafe. Mr. Hanson is afraid that he will have to close down the Amusement if things don't change.

The Alden children are more than eager to help get the word out that the rides are safe. Solving mysteries is what they are great at and they are determined to find out who is behind all the accidents.

I wasn't even aware any new Boxcar Children books were being written. When I saw the title listed on NetGalley, I eagerly signed up to review it. The book follows the typical Boxcar Children formula with the kids solving a mystery. I was hopping that the series was updated slightly, like with cell phones, iPods, the internet, etc., but it seems the Alden children are still suck in the past. You would think modern technology would help them solve mysteries faster. The mystery is pretty predictable as I figured out who was sabotaging the Amusement by the end of third chapter. There is still some charm left in this aging series. Overall, I enjoyed revisiting these childhood characters. Though the plot could have been tighter, I still recommend it others.



CymLowell

3 comments:

  1. I love The Boxcar Children.

    My favorite childhood book along with Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. :)

    Thanks for sharing.

    Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  2. I loved Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, and Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators series as a child, but can you believe I TOTALLY missed out on the Boxcar Children? This is the first that I've heard of them! (How can that be!)

    I am visting from Cym's and enjoyed your review. I am co-hosting the Kid Lit Blog Hop this week at Create With Joy (the party just opened) and would love for you to join us!

    Have a great day!

    Create With Joy
    http://create-with-joy.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. This book is packed with mystery! I read it, and it was great!

    ReplyDelete

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