jgibson2's Full Review: Gertrude Chandler Warner - Caboose Mystery
Gertrude Chandler Warner loved trains. She loved to research her stories, too. For this story, she combined those two loves and spent several weeks traveling by caboose. It shows in the story. She definitely gives you the feeling of riding the rails with the Alden children and their grandfather as they investigate the mysteries they find in this story.
Because Ms. Warner was a teacher, there are lessons worked into many of the Boxcar series books:
Menu: Cooking is one of the themes that runs through this series. Cooking instructions are often included. Quantities aren't given, so you'll have to do some experimenting or use your own cookbook. Matthew, my 5 year old son almost always wants to try the foods introduced. In this book, the menu includes fresh corn, beef stew, hotdogs shaped into horses, pizza, and various canned items that didn't appeal to Matthew. You should be aware that in most of the books, the girls do all the cooking. Matthew doesn't seem to notice this, though - he just wants to try their recipes.
Science concepts: The train stops at a lake formed by beavers. The children learn how the beavers maintain their lodge and dam. Conservation is briefly discussed. They also visit a glass factory and learn about pressed and blown glass production. Later, they find out some of the dangers of storm caused erosion. Poison Ivy is mentioned, but unfortunately not described in the text.
Social sciences: The children learn about circus life at a time when circuses traveled by train - and a bit about how trains operate. They also learn how an innocent person can be falsely accused of a crime.
The mysteries Yes, there are mysteries for the kids to solve: What is the secret of the caboose with the number 777? Who stole the diamonds? Where were they hidden? What does the cryptic postcard mean? Unlike The Poison Frog Mystery, the mysteries are appropriate for children to solve. They pose no danger to the children, and there are no illogical leaps in the story line to confuse the reader. An adult should be able to figure out the answers to the mysteries long before the last page. My 5 year old needed a little help putting the clues together - that, too, is provided in the book.
Potentially disturbing details: One of the circus performers dies. This takes place long before the action in the book and the death isn't described in great detail. Also, Benny, the youngest child, is permitted to go off by himself and doesn't get back on the train before it leaves. He's told his family not to check on him - that he'll be napping in the smaller of their two cabooses - so it's hours later before they realize he's been left behind. The death didn't disturb my 5 year old, but Benny's apparent abandonment did. Benny is retrieved and the journey continues, but Matthew was not happy about that episode.
If your child is enthralled with trains, circuses, or the Boxcar Children, I think you'll find this a worthwhile read. As is usual for this series, there is no unpleasant language, and aside from those I've already mentioned, no themes which should disturb kids in the appropriate age group for this book.
Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny used to live alone in a boxcar. Now they have a home with their grandfather and are spending the summer traveling on a...More at HotBookSale
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