The Boxcar Children

Gertrude Chandler Warner

Dec 2010 · Open Road Media

About this ebook

The New York Times–bestselling tale of four orphaned siblings who will do anything to stick together, featuring more than thirty original illustrations.

Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden take care of one another. They have no parents, no other family—except for a grandfather they don’t care to see—and no home . . . until the night they find the boxcar. Old, rusty, lonely, and abandoned in the woods, it’s the perfect home for four brave children on their own.

Through hard work and courage, the Aldens begin to build a life full of fun and adventure. But when they’re faced with a problem they can’t solve themselves, they’re forced to look for adult help—and will find it in the most unlikely ally.
​
Hailed by School Library Journal as one of the top 100 children’s novels of all time, Gertrude Chandler Warner’s story has delighted generations of young readers and launched a long-running series and an animated film featuring her fearless foursome. Now, new and old fans alike can delight in the timeless book that started it all, featuring illustrations by L. Kate Deal.

Ratings and reviews

Four orphan children running away from a cruel mean grandfather only to find out he's nice. What a kind sweet story. I think I'll read book #2.

I loved it, read it in one sitting. I am 71 years old,can't wait to get the next book. I have a lot of grandkids and greatgrandkids. Have to get at least the first one for all of them.

Was my favorite class read as a child. My imagination went crazy with this book. Trying to picture exactly what kind of scenery they were in not having seen much of the world yet was awesome. Great book.

About the author

Gertrude Chandler Warner (1890–1979) was an American author of children’s books, most notably the nineteen original titles in the Boxcar Children Mysteries series. Warner was raised in Putnam, Connecticut, across the street from a railroad station, which later inspired her to write about children living in a boxcar. In 1918, she began what would become a thirty-two-year career teaching first and third grade at the Israel Putnam School. She died in Putnam on August 30, 1979, when she was eighty-nine years old. But the Boxcar Children live on: To this day, talented authors contribute new stories to the series, which now includes over one hundred twenty books.