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zenithharpink's review against another edition
4.0
This was another fun Boxcar children read, the extra star is for the focus on pollution and the environment. Violet was barely allowed to speak, which was disappointing, but was otherwise this book was par for the Boxcar course.
I would recommend to those dutiful fans of the Boxcar series, or any looking for an introductory chapter book.
I would recommend to those dutiful fans of the Boxcar series, or any looking for an introductory chapter book.
imaclogger23's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
zenithharpink's review against another edition
4.0
This was another fun Boxcar children read, the extra star is for the focus on pollution and the environment. Violet was barely allowed to speak, which was disappointing, but was otherwise this book was par for the Boxcar course.
I would recommend to those dutiful fans of the Boxcar series, or any looking for an introductory chapter book.
I would recommend to those dutiful fans of the Boxcar series, or any looking for an introductory chapter book.
helloskayuu's review
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
traveljenn's review
3.0
Little boy and I just listened to this tale of mystery. The weaving of the environmental issues in the story was forced but a good introduction to the problems of today to a seven year old.
elevetha's review
2.0
The Boxcar Children = most read series between the ages of 6 and 9 for me. I think of these fondly. Every child should read this series.
annashaw411's review
4.0
I had the urge to stroll down memory lane after shelving some Boxcar Children the other day! I didn’t remember anything about them, but didn’t they live in a boxcar?? They didn’t in this book. Still a cute storyline though, and even sciency with water pollution from a paint factory in the storyline!
octavia_cade's review against another edition
3.0
One of the better of the Boxcar series so far, this has a really strong environmental focus, as the kids come up against the owner of a polluting factory. Notably - and the most interesting thing about the book - is that the kids of the factory owner, who are about the same age as the Alden kids, are solidly against what their dad is doing. They're performing science experiments to prove the ill effects of pollution on the local environment, they're picketing their dad's demonstrations, and if he's terrible for the planet he's at least raised kids with a sense of right and wrong, which is more than can be said for many of the polluting industrialists of today.
There's still something very innocent about the conclusion, though. These are children's books, so unbridled capitalism hasn't quite crushed all hope, but the conclusion that Grandfather Alden will use his experience running factories to help lessen the pollution coming out of this one, making everyone happy, isn't as great as it appears on the surface. What would have happened had there not been an eco-friendly millionaire come to show the polluter the error of his ways? Nothing, that's what, because the little people's objections were from little people, and thus insignificant. Then there's the irony of a plastics factory leading the way in non-pollution, and Warner admittedly gets a pass on that one because back in the day I'm not sure they knew about the damaging effect of microplastics, for instance, but that's an aspect that hasn't aged well. I mean, it's a nice ending. Idealised. The environment is saved and workers get to keep their jobs, and wouldn't it be great if it happened that way in real life as well?
There's still something very innocent about the conclusion, though. These are children's books, so unbridled capitalism hasn't quite crushed all hope, but the conclusion that Grandfather Alden will use his experience running factories to help lessen the pollution coming out of this one, making everyone happy, isn't as great as it appears on the surface. What would have happened had there not been an eco-friendly millionaire come to show the polluter the error of his ways? Nothing, that's what, because the little people's objections were from little people, and thus insignificant. Then there's the irony of a plastics factory leading the way in non-pollution, and Warner admittedly gets a pass on that one because back in the day I'm not sure they knew about the damaging effect of microplastics, for instance, but that's an aspect that hasn't aged well. I mean, it's a nice ending. Idealised. The environment is saved and workers get to keep their jobs, and wouldn't it be great if it happened that way in real life as well?
readingwithrebeccanicole's review
One of my favorite childhood series. I read over a hundred of them. The first 50 or so were in order; after that I read whatever book I could get my hands on :)
storiesforhisglory's review against another edition
5.0
Pollution prevention
These cute adventure stories are still relevant for today's kids as well as when they were written. Great kids, interested in others.
These cute adventure stories are still relevant for today's kids as well as when they were written. Great kids, interested in others.