Our first Sonlight read aloud of the year was this precious classic. As Wikipedia states, The Boxcar Children "tells the story of four orphaned children, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny. They had been staying at a bakery but ran away when they heard the baker's wife say she will take all of them in but Benny, leaving Benny with no option but to go back to the orphanage. They create a home for themselves in an abandoned boxcar in the forest. They fear their legal guardian, their grandfather, believing him to be cruel. They enjoy their freedom, but find that their lifestyle has many problems and is not a long-term solution. They eventually meet their grandfather, James Alden, who is a kind and wealthy man. The children agree to live with him. James moves the beloved boxcar to his backyard so the children can use it as a playhouse."
What appealed to my kids the most, I think, is seeing the creativity that the main characters showed by turning a boxcar into a home. There are hundreds of books in this series, which is great for readers of chapter books. When kids want to know what happens to the characters, they are encouraged to read!
1 comment:
Will LOVES Box Car Children. When I see these $1 or less at used book sales I pick them up. I don't like them as read alouds - the vocabulary is too simple. But they are great for Will to read alone.
Post a Comment