Boxcar children
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 Aldens spend the summer on Grandfather's island! Joe, the island's friendly handyman, helps them with anything they need, but as the children continue to explore their summer home, they realize there is more to the island—and to their new friend—than meets the eye. Adapted from the feature film of the same name, this early reader allows children to step into reading with a Boxcar Children classic.
A mystery surrounds the old yellow house on Surprise Island! Years ago, a man vanished from the house, and no one knows how or why. Now a long-lost clue leads the Aldens to investigate the...
The Alden siblings are spending the summer on a ranch out West—and learning some mysterious secrets about their own family.
After they were orphaned, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny lived together in a railroad boxcar. Now they have a home with their grandfather. He always helps them with their problems, but this time he has one of his own: his sister, Jane. She lives out West on a ranch all alone and needs someone to
The Boxcar Children are on a trip with Grandfather to a beautiful island in the South Seas! The island is supposed to be deserted, but as the Aldens explore, they start to find signs that suggest they are not alone....
The Aldens take a trip to the New England coast and get to stay in a lighthouse! But strange things happen after it gets dark—an unknown woman is seen walking around, and Watch wakes up growling late...
A rockslide strands the Aldens on a mountain! But being stuck on Old Flat Top isn't all bad. As the children wait for rescue, they discover that a secret cave has opened up—one that just might hold legendary...
The Aldens' friend Max says nothing interesting happens in Port Elizabeth. But when the children visit the small fishing village and come across a man snooping around the local library, they prove that...
11) Caboose Mystery
A trip in a caboose at the end of a freight train leads to an old clown and a search.
Floating down a lazy river, Benny finds a blackmail scheme in progress.
During a surprise snowstorm, the Aldens find an adventure—and a mystery!
When a snowstorm forces the Aldens to shelter in a cabin, they come across a coded message. Can they solve the mysterious puzzle? Adapted from Gertrude Chandler Warner's story of the same name, this early reader allows children to start reading by themselves with a Boxcar Children classic.
From a high perch Benny discovers a clue to a hidden room with contents that surprise everyone.
15) Bicycle Mystery
Many complications follow when a dog attaches himself to the Aldens on a bicycle trip.
Living in a seaside mobile home, the Aldens unravel the secret of two secluded women.
The Aldens find a mystery when a visitor comes. Who put the coins in a hiding place behind the wall?
A puzzle in relationships concerns two boys ejected from the bus station.
Benny figures out some puzzling events in a department store.
The Aldens take a paddle-wheel boat down the Mississippi River to visit their friend Cap Lambert in his cabin. But strange things are happening on Cap's property. When they see spooky flickering lights at night, the Boxcar Children must find out if the cabin is haunted!
The Aldens help restore an old library by cleaning up and clearing out old books. But while they work, they hear mysterious footsteps on the second floor. Then someone sneaks in and makes the library just as messy as before. Why would someone want the library to stay closed?
The Aldens offer to take care of the animals from the recently closed Greenfield Animal Shelter. They have another mystery in their hands when they discover that most of the animals belong to an old woman who is missing.
Aunt Jane takes the Aldens to Florida to visit her friend Kay! Kay owns an old motel, but it's so rundown she thinks she might have to sell it. The Boxcar Children are happy to help her fix things up, but soon they learn someone is trying to keep the motel closed...forever.
The Aldens find a mysterious painting hidden in the attic. The children learn that it is a portrait of their grandmother, whom they never knew, wearing the necklace Grandfather gave her when they were married. The necklace disappeared on their first anniversary — and was never found. Can the Boxcar Children track down a necklace missing for so many years?
The Boxcar children visit their cousins who live near an amusement park. When they go for a day of fun they find a mystery that can lead them to a dangerous situation.
The zoo is wonderful — it has seals and giraffes and elephants and tigers, and Benny's favorite, a little monkey named Amos. It also has a mystery. Someone is mixing up signs, switching off electricity, and endangering the animals' lives. If the Boxcar Children want to save the animals, they'll have to solve the mystery — and fast!
The Boxcar Children go camping with their grandfather and end up investigating who's behind the missing food and loud music that's scaring campers away.
28) The Mystery Girl
Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny are working in a general store, to help out a friend of Aunt Jane's. It seems to the children that the young girl who works in the store is behaving very strangely. She seems nervous and won't answer any questions about her past. Then a strange man comes to the store asking about her. What secret is the mystery girl hiding?
The Aldens are on a cruise in the Caribbean! No sooner has the cruise begun than things start to go wrong. The ship's radio breaks. It appears someone has fallen overboard — but it turns out to be a false alarm. And then there's engine trouble! Is someone deliberately tampering with the ship? It's a mystery — good thing the Boxcar Children are on board!
The Alden children are trying to raise money for a new hospital wing and make friends with a new girl, Beth, unfortunately both attempts are proving difficult and problematic.
The Aldens visit their old friends, the Piccolos, at their pizzeria. When they learn the restaurant isn't doing well, they offer to help. But the oven doesn't work, the electricity shuts off, and then someone hands out fake coupons! Who wants to shut down Piccolos' Pizzeria?
The Boxcar Children are spending their vacation on a farm. They learn to do everything from milking cows and making homemade jam to raising a barn. Then one day they spot a beautiful horse locked up in a stable. Who is the mystery horse? And why is it hidden?
The Boxcar Children are going to a dog show. They meet all kinds of dogs, from a spotted Dalmatian to a big, hairy sheepdog. But then strange things start happening at the dog show, and no one knows why. Can the children solve the mystery and save the day?
A Stradivarius violin is stolen while the Alden children are visiting a castle, now they must find out who has taken it.
The Alden children find the ship log of the suspicious 1869 shipwreck of the Flying Cloud while vacationing in a Massachusetts seaport town.
The Boxcar Children are going on a canoe trip with Grandfather and Aunt Jane. They enjoy paddling across the sparkling lake and camping under the stars. But their trip really gets interesting when they find a mysterious riddle leading them to hidden treasure!
The children are attending Camp Coral, where they learn about the ocean and all the things in it — coral, fish, dolphins, and other sea creatures. They find a beautiful hidden beach, but then learn that it holds a terrible secret. Once again, the Boxcar Children must come to the rescue!
When the Aldens hear that Mr. Wood's cat, Spotzie, is missing, they immediately help out by putting up LOST CAT posters and going door-to-door with a photograph of the cat. But along the way they meet some strange characters, receive frightening phone calls, and even find a cat that looks just like Spotzie — but is it? It seems that the more they search, the more mysterious the mystery becomes!
The Boxcar Children have a chance to be in a real play — The Wizard of Oz! Jessie is chosen for the Cowardly Lion. Benny will play a munchkin. Even Watch has a part and all the Aldens are helping with the show. Then mysterious things begin to happen. Someone makes a threatening phone call and a costume is destroyed. Maybe the show won't go on — unless the Boxcar Children can solve the mystery before opening night!
An orchestra is coming to town! The children are excited to hear the orchestra play, to meet the musicians, and to learn how to make their own instruments. The orchestra is also displaying a very valuable, old piece of music. But when it mysteriously disappears, it's up to the Boxcar Children to find it!
Someone is trying to sabotage the Shoppe, a new ice cream store, and the owner asks the Alden children to help him discover the culprit.
The Boxcar children learn how hot air balloons work and even help launch one, but before they get the chance to ride in one they have to figure out who is trying to ruin the rally.
The Boxcar Children are on a trip to New Orleans to help Grandfather's friend with her bookstore. The children love exploring the city, and they find lots of interesting things in the store. But when a beautiful book disappears from the shelves, the Aldens have something even more interesting on their hands—a mystery!
Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny used to live alone in a boxcar. Now they have a home with their grandfather, and they're fixing up their boxcar so they can ride it in the big Greenfield Founder's Day parade. There's just one problem: Someone has stolen the boxcar . . . with their dog, Watch, in it! If only they can find the missing boxcar, it will lead them to Watch. Can the Boxcar Children solve their most important mystery ever?
The Boxcar Children are going on vacation to Dragon's Mouth Cavern. The four Aldens like rock hunting in the area, until Benny finds a sinkhole that leads to the underground caves. While exploring the caves, they realize that someone doesn't want them there. But why? Can the Boxcar Children solve this new underground mystery?
The Boxcar Children love exploring the train, watching the beautiful scenery from the observation car, and eating in the dining car. But the train ride gets really interesting when they meet a young woman who has had something very valuable stolen from her. Can the Aldens solve the mystery before the train pulls into the last stop?
The Aldens are visiting a guide dog school! But when they arrive, strange things start to happen. Benny sees mysterious lights on in the middle of the night, and someone breaks into the kennel where the guide dogs are kept. Is someone after one of the dogs? The Boxcar Children are determined to find out!
The Boxcar children decide to help restore a historic firehouse when the town council starts thinking about demolishing it. Soon enough they realize that someone is hindering their efforts.
The Alden children find a map that shows how to find a gold loot hidden in an old cabin in Yellowstone, but when they go to investigate they are met with interference.
On their vacation to Hawaii, the Aldens learn about the curse of the black pearl. But whenever they ask to hear the whole story, no one will talk about it. Can the Boxcar Children find out the secret behind the curse?
While investigating a jewelry store robbery the Aldens must also figure out who's stealing their favorite cereal.
The Boxcar children have to find out who stole the trophy of the coach—and basketball star—of their community basketball league.
Grandfather has just bought a plot of land in the Rocky Mountains—complete with a ghost town! When the Aldens hear their land is haunted they don't believe it. But when they see a ghostly figure in the main street, they know something's up. There's a mystery and the Aldens are determined to solve it!
Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny are happy to share their home with Katya, the young gymnast, and watch her practice for the big competition. When things start going wrong at the gym it quickly becomes clear that someone is trying to ruin Katya's chances of winning—but who? The Aldens want to help. The trouble is, Katya's been acting a little mysterious herself—almost as if she's got something to hide. But what? Can the Boxcar Children
...The Aldens have joined a bicycle race! Three days of riding and camping should be fun for everyone. Even Grandfather joined the race. But right from the word "Go!" things go wrong: misleading road signs by day and collapsing tents by night. Henry's first flat tire could be bad luck, but three flat tires point to foul play. But who is playing foul—and why? The Boxcar Children are determined to solve the mystery before they cross the finish
...Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny used to live alone in a boxcar. Now they have a home with their grandfather and they have become friends with a real pro-hockey player. The Boxcar Children cannot believe it when they meet their favorite hockey star, Kevin Reynolds, while out skating one day. Kevin is coaching a girls' hockey team and planning to build a huge new skating rink right in Greenfield. Kevin offers Jessie a place on the team and Henry
...83) Copycat Mystery
The Alden children are going back in time by helping at an old Victorian house that has been turned into a museum. But rumor has it that the place is haunted by the spirit of the practical joker Horace Wagner! Is there really a ghost?
Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny used to live alone in a boxcar. Now they have a home with their grandfather, and they're going to visit his old school with him! The Aldens are spending a weekend at Goldwin University for Grandfather's college reunion. The Alden children are immediately fascinated by the tall, mysterious clock tower that overshadowed the campus. They soon learn the valuable secret from the past lies hidden somewhere at the old
...Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny used to live alone in a boxcar. Now they have a home with their grandfather, and they're fixing up the old Bugbee House, a spooky mansion in their neighborhood! The Aldens are helping the Heart and Hands group restore an old estate. The house is bursting with collections of its mysterious and eccentric former owner. But when the contents of the house are auctioned off, the Aldens discover that much of the collection
...When their friend Sam gets a letter full of riddles from an eccentric millionaire, the Aldens are eager to help him crack the code. If Sam can solve the puzzle, he will inherit the millionaire's money! But Sam isn't the only one in town to receive a letter - and whoever solves the mystery first will win the prize!
The Aldens learn about ancient Egypt—and discover a mystery!
The Aldens are helping the Greenfield Museum set up an exhibit about ancient Egypt. Is the museum's mummy cursed? Adapted from Gertrude Chandler Warner's story of the same name, this early reader allows children to start reading by themselves with a Boxcar Children classic.
When the Aldens visit Peggy and Doc Firmin's farm, they're in for a treat: a behind-the-scenes look at a real teddy bear workshop! But a very rare and valuable bear has disappeared from the toy hospital. Now it's up to the children to track down the teddy thief!
When Grandfather's friend bought Skeleton Point, she invited the Alden children to help her fix it up. But this empty mansion is even spookier than it looks. The man who used to live there studied bones — but the house is filled with skeletons! Then, the mansion's valuable statues begin to disappear. Could the Skeleton Point ghost be causing mischief?
It's time for the annual Greenfield art contest, and the Alden children are meeting the artist and learning all about art! But when they receive a mysterious message signed by the "Tattletale," they realize that not everything is as it seems. What could the Tattles want from the Aldens — and who is the mysterious message-writer? It's a painting puzzler for the Boxcar Children!
Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny used to live alone in a boxcar. Now they have a home with their grandfather, and they're going to a comic book convention! The Alden Children are searching for a rare comic book of their favorite superhero, Captain Fantastic. When they finally find the comic, they discover something else, too: a strange note inside, "signed" by the comic's creator. The Aldens soon realize the note is fake. But when they start
...The Alden's neighbor, Lina, thinks there's treasure hidden in her attic, and she wants the Boxcar Children to help her find it. Of course, the children are eager to help search—but it appears they aren't the only ones looking for the treasure. Can the Boxcar Children discover the treasure in the attic ... before someone else finds it first?
The Aldens find themselves right in the middle of an Iowa cornfield and a brand new mystery! The children visit a farm that's famous for its wonderful corn maze. Every year the maze is open to visitors, and there's even a festival! But who is damaging the maze at night? Can the Boxcar Children catch the culprit and save the festival?
The Alden children knew there was a mystery at Eton Place, but they had no idea there would be a ghost there, too! A family friend believes there is a valuable piece of jewelry hidden on her property, but she only has one clue to help them find it. Will they find the treasure, or will the ghost of the Chattering Bones scare them away first?
When a new store called the Game Spot opens in their town, the Aldens are thrilled. But it's not fun and games when the other shops at Crossroads mall are robbed. What's more, letters are disappearing from the sign in front of the shopping center! It all seems to spell a new mystery for the Boxcar Children.
The Aldens are at the Greenfield train station to meet their favorite mystery writer! Gilbert Finch has agreed to come to their library and meet all of his fans. But when Finch's train arrives, there is no sign of him anywhere. The famous author has vanished! Will the Boxcar Children be able to find him?
The Aldens are helping a local carpenter build a giant yo-yo! The yo-yo could break the world record, and if it does, it will put Greenfield on the map. But when plans are stolen and the yo-yo is damaged, it's clear someone doesn't want this yo-yo to be built. Can the Boxcar Children save the day before the world record is lost?
The Aldens are visiting Grandfather's friend, Amy, at the Ogopogo Retreat in Canada. Amy rents cabins to tourists who hope to see the mysterious underwater creature, the Ogopogo, swimming in the lake. Henry, Jesse, Violet, and Benny can't wait to try to spot the Ogopogo from their cabin. Amy tells the children about a riddle that an old friend left for her in one of the cabins that could lead to a small treasure. The children need to find the treasure,
...The Aldens are helping Greenfield's most popular band get ready for a music festival. A big-time music producer will be there to watch the show, and everyone in Greenfield is hoping the band will be famous soon. The day before the festival, the band's instruments are stolen! Can the Aldens find the instruments — and the thief — before the big show?
The Aldens are preparing for a yard sale when they find an old wooden mask in the trash behind a neighbor's house. Violet notices that the mask looks like a Native American mask she had read about. When the mask is stolen, the children begin to think their newfound treasure may be worth a lot to someone. Can the Aldens find the thief and the mask before it's too late?
111) The Seattle Puzzle
The Aldens are on vacation in Seattle! On their first day of sightseeing a mystery falls right into their laps when Benny finds a riddle taped to the bottom of a table. What does the riddle mean, and where will it take them? Follow Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny as they crack the mysterious riddle on their way through the Emerald City.
A dusty old theater that was shut up for years is coming to life again, and the Aldens are there for opening night! The Boxcar Children are excited to help out backstage with a brand-new mystery play. But the Trap-Door Theater has mysteries of its own—with rumors of ghosts, disappearing props, and even a haunted seat! What secrets lie behind the scenes?
One day in the park, the Alden's dog, Watch, comes across a mysterious box with a note inside. "Congratulations!" the note says. "You've found it!" The box is part of a game called Geocaching. Soon, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny are searching all over town for hidden boxes and making friends with other kids in the geocaching club. But is one of the club members a thief?
114) A Horse Named Dragon
The Aldens are helping out at a rescue ranch, taking care of horses that need extra attention. Jessie's favorite is a beautiful horse named Dragon. But when Dragon and some of the other horses disappear from the pasture, the Boxcar Children must saddle up for a mystery. What's happening to the horses at the Dare to Dream Ranch?
A local radio station is holding the Great Detective Race, and the Boxcar Children have entered the contest! They solve riddles and search all over town for clues leading to the grand prize. But when some of the clues turn out to be fake, it's clear that someone is playing unfairly! Who could be trying to ruin the race—and why?
The Aldens discover there's nothing more fun than a drive-in theater, where they can eat popcorn in the car and watch movies under the stars! But pranks and other odd things keep happening at the Diamond Drive-In, and late at night, a ghost is seen walking around the empty lot. Is the old theater really haunted?
When the Boxcar Children help out in a local garden, they dig up one strange thing after another! First, the tomato plants seem to move every day. How can that be? Then the Aldens follow the clues to an unsolved bank robbery, and it's clear that a very big mystery is growing in Greenfield.
118) The Spy Game
119) The Dog-Gone Mystery
When a dog training school opens in Greenfield, the Boxcar Children bring Watch in to learn some new tricks! But at the very first class, a Dalmatian goes missing—did the dog run away, or was he stolen? And when a second dog vanishes at the next class, it's clear that the Aldens have a dog-gone mystery to solve!
120) The Vampire Mystery
121) Superstar Watch
The Boxcar Children have been chosen to be on an exciting new show! A camera crew is following the Aldens around the city of Philadelphia as they compete with another team in a search for clues. But the search isn't easy, and someone is trying to give them the wrong directions! Who is trying to ruin the game?
125) The Cupcake Caper
People line up around the block to buy Mama Tova's cupcakes. But who could be trying to steal her secret recipe? The Aldens follow the clues to a cupcake contest, where they must find a thief using their mystery-solving skills—and their taste buds, too!
The Aldens are volunteering at the local recycling center, where they find plenty of things that can be reused, including a pinata that Benny takes home. But when the center is vandalized, the Boxcar Children have a mystery to solve. Is there treasure amidst the junk?
127) Monkey Trouble
128) The Zombie Project
A new restaurant is opening up in Greenfield, and the Aldens are first in line to help the owner start up a food pantry. They do everything they can to collect donations, from putting up signs to offering a free Thanksgiving dinner for the whole town, but someone keeps moving the signs and even steals the giant turkey that was meant for the dinner. The clock is ticking to get it back, but never fear, the Boxcar Children are on the case.
130) The Garden Thief
The Alden children help solve a case surrounding missing vegetables and vandalism in the community garden.
Grandfather's friend, Mr. Yee, has broken his arm and can't tend to his beloved vegetable plot in the community garden. The Alden children gladly offer their services to help him with his prize-winning veggies. But they soon learn something mysterious is afoot at the community garden. Vegetables go missing, and it appears someone is intentionally
...The Aldens are visiting the New Jersey shore and enjoying the beach and the boardwalk attractions. A family friend has just bought an amusement pier, and the children are excited to help out. But there are rumors that the rides aren't safe, and someone has stolen a zombie from the haunted house! Can the Boxcar Children find out what's behind all the trouble?
On their trip to Oregon, the Aldens are excited to find out that Watch has the right skills to be a search and rescue dog! When they start training him in the woods one of the first things he "rescues" is a backpack filled with valuable jewelry—and it fell out of a plane! How could that have happened? When the children try to return the backpack to its owner, the mystery becomes even deeper!
The Aldens head up north for the Calgary Stampede—a cowboy celebration of Canada's frontier spirit! But when a valuable piece of jewelry from the festival's history vanishes, the children are on the case. Can the Boxcar Children find the thief before the big show?
The Aldens visit the upstate New York town where the Legend of Sleepy Hollow was set and discover a headless horseman mystery all their own! Their friend's ghost-tour business is threatened by a spooky figure on horseback who is throwing gory pumpkins. Who—or what—is haunting Sleepy Hollow?
Cousin Alice is running for mayor in her town, and the Aldens are helping with her campaign! But Alice's campaign posters are torn down and painted over—and the same thing happens to her opponent! Then posters for a third candidate appear around town, but nobody has ever seen him in person. Will the town elect a mystery man for mayor? The Aldens are on the case!
A hip new doughnut shop known for its bizarre recipes is opening up in Greenfield. At first, the owners of the other doughnut shop in town, Delilah's, aren't worried. But when the new shop starts making doughnuts that look just like some of Delilah's greatest hits, the Boxcar Children must figure out if it's just a coincidence or if someone from the new shop is stealing Delilah's recipes.
147) The Robot Ransom
Henry and Jessie's middle school robotics team is going to the regional competition! But it seems like someone doesn't want their team to compete. Can the Aldens use their sleuthing skills and what they've learned about robotics to find the culprit and save the day?
The Aldens are visiting friends for a big Dia de los Muertos celebration. The kids love learning about the holiday and helping out—that is until mysterious events threaten to ruin everyone's preparations. Can the Aldens figure out what's going on and help their friends save the celebration?
The Boxcar Children stumble across a 100-year-old time capsule with a mysterious journal inside. It contains clues that lead the children around Greenfield and through the history books in search of a lost treasure. But questions remain. Who wrote the journal? And after 100 years, will there be enough evidence to find the hidden treasure?
The Aldens are spending spring break on a beach, but they aren't just soaking up the sun. They're protecting an endangered species! Their job is to mark sea turtle nests so the eggs can be moved to a safe place to hatch, but someone is digging up the eggs without permission. Can the Boxcar Children figure out what's going on and help save the sea turtles?
Black cats? Broken mirrors? The number thirteen? The owner of the art deco apartment building in nearby Silver City believes in all kinds of superstitions. The Aldens aren't so sure about most of them, but there's one thing they do know: something strange is going on on the thirteenth floor. Are they just coincidences, or is the building manager onto something?
161) The Raptor Rescue
The Raptor Rehab Center's reputation is at stake!
Can the Aldens figure out who's responsible for the bad press before the center gets shut down for good? Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny are excited to learn more about raptors when they volunteer at a rehab center for wild birds. But not long after they arrive, a series of strange events makes it seem like someone might be trying to sabotage the center. Who could the culprit
...Jessie's next article for the school paper is taking a dramatic turn.
When a traveling theater production comes to town, Jessie is excited to write a profile of its star, a talented performer who grew up in Greenfield and is making a big splash around the world. But when the performer goes missing days before the show is set to make its debut, Jessie realizes that something big is going on behind the scenes. If she wants to
A mysterious hacker is on the loose in Greenfield.
When an embarrassing message between Charla and Daniel goes out to the whole class, Jessie finds herself stuck between her feuding best friends. As she helps Charla investigate how this happened, they find that someone has been tampering with Charla's lawyer mom's computer, and it could spell trouble for her mom's legal case. In order to keep the culprit from walking free,
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