Rating: 
Summary: Aging Badly, But OK For Ages 6-9
Review: The characters are cardboard, the writing is clunky, and the dialogue is stiffer than a two-by-four. It was written in 1942, and many details may be puzzling to twenty-first century kids: cloth handkerchiefs, glass milk bottles, dump-picking, store purchases wrapped in paper and string, and no antibiotic drugs. The assumptions about gender roles have aged badly, too, but that's another review.BUT, my seven-year old can't wait to find out what happens next and (though I'm reading this one *to* her) could readily read the book herself to find out . . . and that's worth two extra stars. Give it a try: if the beginning chapter-book-reader in your life likes it, there's a lot more where this one came from!
Rating: 
Summary: The Boxcar Children; An outdated series; By a 6th grader
Review: The Boxcar Children: I wouldn't recommend this book to the suggested age group; which is from ages 9 - 12. It is unrealistic to conclude that 4th - 6th graders would be the right age group. I would say 1st - 3rd grade. Perhaps the reading level is that of some 9 - 12 years olds, but the plot isn't advanced enough. I used to read these in second grade; after reading about nine of these (I didn't catch on too fast); I realized "wow, these are all the same". The plots are often fine and mystery filled...but the characters are almost impossible to relate to, not to mention the fact that all of the mysteries/crimes they encounter can be stomped out by a group of elementary-schoolers in around sixteen chapters. The characters seem strangely prefabricated and unrealistic. The dialogue is the same way. It doesn't seem like people are talking. I am quoting another review, but no-matter what these children go through, guess what, they never complain, they are always smiling. These siblings are almost impossible to relate to. They have seemingly cute habits, but in the end, they turn out fairly annoying such as the reference to a cup that the youngest sibling from the time spent in the boxcar...Let's face it; children's literature has certainly advanced since the 1950's. Really: 2.5 stars. There are certain things that I've mentioned in this review which may not matter as much to younger readers.
Rating: 
Summary: Living in a boxcar...
Review: Gertrude Chandler Warner's books about four orphans who solve mysteries have been delighting children for over 50 years. She saw a need for books that were both easy and fun to read. The Boxcar Children meet that goal exceptionally well. In this first book in the series, the mystery the children are trying to solve is to hide from their mean grandfather. The experiences they have are nearly comical, but most importantly they accomplish so many things with very little adult supervision, giving young readers a sense of independence. I never read the books as a child, and wish that I had. Unlike other authors, such as Beverly Cleary, E.B. White, etc. Warner's books have fallen out of the times. The stories no longer work in a contemporary setting and with very little historical data, they cannot really be historical fiction. The story simply could not happen today, and there are many references to ways of life that children today would have nothing to compare to. Why 4 stars?:
These books have survived so long because they are easy and fun to read. Unfortunately they are not timeless, rut rather suffer from being terribly outdated. Still, the goal is to encourage a child to read, and if this book will do that, then it is the best thing for him, or her.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Early Reader
Review: I read this with my four year old. He read many of the words and really liked the story. Quite a winner!
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: One warm night four children stood in front of a bakery. No one knew them. No one knew where they had come from. Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny were orphans--Boxcar Children--looking for a place to live, determined to make it on their own. They discover an old red boxcar that provides shelter from a storm. Against all the odds in the world they make it into a home and become the boxcar children.
Rating:
Summary: The Boxcar Children
Review: This is great book about 4 orphaned kids running away from their grandfather. They use a old boxcar as their new home.
I really think that this is a good book. It shows you how resourceful the world can be. It has a lot of suspense in it, like when the kids hear footsteps outside, or while Henry is running in the race. I really like the kindness most of the characters show to each other, like how the doctor helps the kids ot and probably helps save one of their lives. It kind of makes you appreciate what most people now take for granted. I love the way the auther describes everybody, describes their characters and personalities.
I recomend it to almost anybody. It's filled with love, and people who care for each other. Most importantly, it has a happy ending.
Rating:
Summary: The best Boxcar book!
Review: This was the best Boxcar Children book, in my son Jesse's opinion. He recommends it to everyone who enjoys this series.
Rating:
Summary: What a wonderful book!
Review: It is a book that my teacher make me to read it, it is hard for me at first,but not for now.
It was about four children, Benny, Henry, Violet and Jessie who lost their mom and dad, and they didn't go find their grandpa because they think he will be mean to them. They got only a little money, so Henry go out and work for the doctor. And when the doctor look at the news paper, it said that two boys and two girls was missing, whoever find them will get a lot of money. And he think that it was Henry and his brother and sisters.
One day, Violet was sick, so Henry ran to the doctor and tell him that his sister was very sick. The doctor go to their home and take Violet to his home.
Will the doctor call their grandpa and get the money? And why this story his to do with the boxcar? To find out, read it!
By Billy Hau
Rating:
Summary: The Boxcar Children
Review: My 3rd grade teacher read The Boxcar Children to my class 32 years ago and I can tell you that it was an experience I have treasured ever since. It is the story of 4 orphaned siblings who work hard to stick together during troubled times and are thankful for the small things in life. I have passed this book from my heart on to my children, and I cannot wait to share it with my grandchildren someday. They don't write books like this anymore.
Rating:
Summary: A book every child should read
Review: I've hunted and hunted through the jungle of Amazon for this particular copy to review, because I hate the modern cover (it completely detracts from the quaint illustrations within), and because this was the first one I read. It puts all the ones written since Gertrude Warner's death to shame. There isn't anything to back them up, while her originals are still strong in both the plot and the characters. My mother brought it home from the library and said I could read it. I was about eight or so and I began right away and read it many times. I think all children should have the experience of a good "survival story", and this one is good because it's practical. No South Sea islands, just four ordinary children who are afraid of their grandfather and so make a home for themselves in a boxcar after their mother and father die. The children are all so mature and industrious. Can you imagine four typical children of today having the imagination to do what these children did? Benny would probably have to have a computer game or something, and instead of a cute teddy bear he would have a Spiderman action figure. Jessie wouldn't be content to stay and make the place cosy for her little "family", and what would she have done with Violet and Benny while she went off with Henry to find work? Perhaps she would leave Henry to play mother while she went out alone. I suppose my whole point is, this story comes from an age when children were still children and their parents instilled good values in them and taught them responsibility. Very good example for any child to follow. But it's all very subtle. Not a bit of preaching throughout. The pictures in this book are also very beautiful - they're silhouettes. I was always sorry that the rest of the series didn't have these same illustrations, but I did eventually become used to the Gehr and Cunningham artwork. Every child should read this book.
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