What do You think about Mystery Ranch (1989)?
The Boxcar Children is one of the first books I remember reading all by my self as a child in the 80's. I loved the Alden's, that much I remember, but I do not remember the stories. Because of that, I decided to re-read at least a few Boxcar Children books. When I went to the library I was amazed at how many episodes there are. There are well over 100! I always thought they went to about 20 or 30. I tried to find some of the first books so I grabbed what I thought was number 3 and 4. What I got was "Special 3" and book 4. I could not make it through Spc. 3. It just didn't seem "right". It wasn't what I remembered. But book 4, well that one felt right. I later found out that Gertrude Chandler Warner only write the first 17 or so books (no specials) and the rest were written by ghost writers. For my taste I say stick with the original. In this episode, the children go out west to stay with their crotchety Great Aunt on her farm. Of course the children, and their dog, Watch, change the the Aunts disposition and...well, the rest is a mystery that you will have to discover yourself. I recommend The Boxcar Children to any child who has not become too jaded by 1st or 2nd grade or anyone that wants a good old-fashioned read. Now, remember, these books were written between the 1920's and 1970's so there are well defined male and female roles. If you see that as a problem, perhaps you should talk with your children about what they are reading and explain that some things have changed, but that good manners and helpfulness are always appreciated. Go. Read. Enjoy.
—Sirena
The Alden children started the first book as orphans without anyone to take care of them except each other. Now their family has become even bigger with the discovery that their Grandfather has an older sister living on a ranch out west. The two siblings are estranged but James Alden is willing to bet that his grandkids can melt his sister's bitterness. And he's right.The mystery in this book revolves around strange men who offer to buy Great Aunt Jane's ranch. Why do they want it so bad and how far will they go to get it. sadly it's an adult matter and the adult's handle it after the kids find an important clue. (view spoiler)[Incidently, Shouldn't Aunt Jane and her housekeeper be suffering radiation poisoning after being exposed to all that Uranium? (hide spoiler)]
—Cathrine Bonham
At the begining the childrenn are at there grandfathers house were they live now. Grandfather comes home upset abuot his sister. the children ask him wats rong. he told his the problem. So Violet and Jessie go to there ant Janes ranch. once they are there for few weeks Ant Jane wants the other two boys to come to come.when they are all there are all there there for about a week Ant Jane anounced that they were good children and she is giving them the ranch.the rest of the book talks abouhow the get the ranch except the end the thorow a birthday parth for Jane. she got a puppy
—Kelsey
