Boxcar Children

by Gertrude Chandler Warner

The Boxcar Children series has easy chapter books for young elementary children. With the approval of the parent, these adventures may be enjoyed by all ages.

Pros:

- The children model a strong work ethic. Adults around them encourage them to continue and improve their work ethic. Only a couple books of the series do not make work a heavy theme. #18 would be a negative exception.

- The children enjoy their work and often find ways to make even dull or difficult tasks fun for one another, especially for Benny while he is young. See especially #1, #2.

- In solving the mysteries, they often are able to serve and show love for others. Compassion for the hurting is featured in many books, as well as a strong loyalty to family. See especially #3, #4, $7, #16.

- In spite of being children, the family finds ways to be useful and productive. They are not hindered by their youth. See especially, #1, #4, #10, #19.

Cons:

- While the work ethic and independence of the Boxcar Children in many ways is positive, the series has received criticism because the children often seem independent of adult assistance and input. With only a few exceptions, this criticism accurately represents the series (#1, #3, #17 are positive exceptions). A child who struggles with being too independent may feel condoned in this failing. Conversely, a child who is too dependent might be given greater confidence by reading these adventures. The parent or teacher should use discretion.

- While the Boxcar children are presenting a good example of numerous character traits to the reader, few flaws can be found in any of the children or other main characters. These faults often do not play a major role in the plot, although they are always portrayed as legitimate failings. Again, the parent or teacher should use discretion; the reader should understand that all humans err and are in need of correction. Positive exceptions: #2, #3, #4.

- Book #9 contains a reference to evolution. The theory is treated as fact by the characters.

Note: Only the first 19 books in the series are written by Gertrude Chandler Warner, though later ones also bear her name. Multiple authors wrote the rest of the series, and many of those books only partially or poorly present the values of the original author. This post should be considered a review of the original 19 works.