Let’s meet Henry (14), Jessie(12), Violet(10), and Benny(6) Alden, a.k.a. The Boxcar Children!

Henry is hard-working, responsible, and protective. Jessie is brave, a talented cook and  a great problem solver. Violet is the  quiet and shy Alden. She has sewing skills beyond her years. Benny has the  ability to boldly say what is on his mind, often in a funny way. He loves a cracked pink cup he found at the dump and Jessie’s dog, who he tried to label by cutting  a J out of  Watch's fur.

The Aldens are on the run because they overheard the baker and his wife as they discussed keeping the oldest three children to work while sending Benny to an orphanage. It is hard to believe that this endearing book series met with criticism when it came out in 1924.

“Warner once wrote that the original book ‘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!’”

It is difficult for me to criticize hard-working, problem solving, kind and caring kids but there are always those who look for the negative and if they don’t find it, they supply it. These books have given young readers chapter books they are able to read successfully which builds confidence as well as proficiency.  

The first 19 books in the series were written by the author, Gertrude Chandler Warner. She has the kids realistically get older  in her books, such as Henry getting a driver’s license. The rest of the books (20-100+) keep the kids' ages unchanging.

Find out why the Alden kids are fearful of their grandfather and how they got the nickname, 

The Boxcar Children. Find The Boxcar Children’s Cookbook and whip up the stew Jessie made in the cauldron they found at the dump or try your hand at Hobo Stew or Sea Biscuits. The fun thing about cooking for this family is they really appreciate the effort that goes into the task.

What a wonderful take-away from this endearing book, appreciate those around you, be grateful, see possibilities instead of problems, and learn to laugh. A joyful read, indeed!