The Yellow House Mystery: The Boxcar Children Mysteries #3 by Gertrude Chandler Warner, Phyllis Newman

3.72 AVERAGE

snix's profile picture

snix's review against another edition

If you were to ask me what two books I remember most vividly from my childhood, [b:Surprise Island|156809|Surprise Island (The Boxcar Children, #2)|Gertrude Chandler Warner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1172264372l/156809._SX50_.jpg|151321]** and The Yellow House Mystery might be at the top of the list. They "go together" in my mind, which they should, since the Yellow House Mystery is really a continuation of Surprise Island, just one year later.

The bulk of the Yellow House Mystery focuses not on the house but on a canoe trip the Aldens take. Reader beware! This book will make your kids (or you!) eager to drop everything and drive to Maine right now to do the same. It portrays an idyllic trip (storms notwithstanding) and seems like the most glorious adventure. The mystery (which is the impetus for the journey) really takes a backseat to the canoe trip. I think that's what Gertrude Chandler Warner did best - included a mystery but really allowed the Aldens to just be present wherever they were.

My only annoyance is how fragile Violet is - it annoyed me as a kid, and it annoys me now. If she was that fragile (physically and emotionally), she shouldn't have been going on these adventures so far from home. If she wasn't that fragile, she should buck up like the rest of them.

Still, it was an enjoyable read as an adult and brought me right back to the memories of reading and re-reading this one as a child.

**See my review for Surprise Island for more on my attachment to these!
maggiecarr's profile picture

maggiecarr's review against another edition

5.0
I'm certainly enjoying rereading these titles with my kids. Each of the Alden children have unique personalities. They were quite intuitive with his mystery and pulling the pieces together, it wouldn't have been possible without family resources and adults to help but still a fun story regardless.

mrs_w24's review against another edition

5.0
going through the series.... =)
lee_hillshire's profile picture

lee_hillshire's review against another edition

I don't know, I probably wouldn't have minded it as a kid, if I'd have gotten this far, but it's very silly as an adult. And I've seen how treasured childhood stories can hold up as an adult, so overall it's a bit disappointing. 
maxthefish's profile picture

maxthefish's review against another edition

4.5
funny lighthearted mysterious tense

mrs_wheatfall's review against another edition

4.0
I can't give these books 5stars as I would the Little House books b/c they just are not so well written. BUT my girls begged for this story to continue nightly and were really compelled to know what happened. They loved it.

starrynews's review against another edition

4.0
Having fun revisiting these classic mysteries!

ladyomni's review against another edition

4.0
The kids finally, finally get the story of the yellow house and right away solve the mystery.

lisabee614's review against another edition

3.0
How do they just keep picking up strays in every book? Introducing more and more characters. Also - that mans house is going to run out of room to keep housing everyone. Going from living alone to suddenly having 8 roommates and a dog? No thank you.

olivia1997's review against another edition

5.0
adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated