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imaclogger23's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
5.0
zenithharpink's review
2.0
I was a bit confused by this book. Not the story, but the dynamics-I feel like there was a message, but it was so inconsistent that I couldn't decipher what Warner was trying to share. The parents of the new friends in this book are distant...kind-of...sometimes. I couldn't understand if this was supposed to be a negative or just an illustration of another type of family. In any event, it was off-putting and strange. I wasn't much of a fan of this book, though the mystery was mildly entertaining.
I would only recommend to those dedicated to the series, otherwise this would really only work for children who are still honing their reading skills.
I would only recommend to those dedicated to the series, otherwise this would really only work for children who are still honing their reading skills.
allieasaurus's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
ikuo1000's review against another edition
4.0
*** WARNING: This review contains spoilers!!! ***
I really enjoyed this one! There was so much that I liked about this book.
I liked the introduction of Jeffrey and Sammy Beach, and I liked that they - like Mike - were different from the Alden children, yet they still all got along.
As a parent who likes to see positive role models in books, I liked how the Alden children kept reminding the Beach boys that they should ask for their parents' permission before doing new things. :P I also liked that they were sensitive to not wanting to intrude where they might not be wanted.
I even liked that Henry and Jessie sometimes had other plans, and weren't a part of all the activities. This book wasn't explicit about the children's ages, but Benny did say, at first, that he wished the Beach boys (aged 8 and 10) were older, which I think implied that Benny was older than they, so maybe he was 12? That would put Henry in his early 20's, and maybe he and Jessie were both in college, home for summer vacation!? I don't know, but it was kind of reassuring to see that they did sometimes have better things to do than play with little kids all the time.
I thought the mystery was just mysterious enough for a children's book - nothing criminal, and not too far-fetched.
And even though this book had an almost obligatory food business overnight success story a la Mike's Mother's Place and Benny's Buns, it was nice that someone besides Benny came up with the winning ideas.
Despite being such a pleasant read, I just couldn't bring myself to give this book 5 stars - though I would have given it 4 1/2 stars if 1/2 stars were possible here. I was really just hoping that the book would tie up one sort of loose end and somehow reunite a grown-up Willy with his rocking horse.
I really enjoyed this one! There was so much that I liked about this book.
I liked the introduction of Jeffrey and Sammy Beach, and I liked that they - like Mike - were different from the Alden children, yet they still all got along.
As a parent who likes to see positive role models in books, I liked how the Alden children kept reminding the Beach boys that they should ask for their parents' permission before doing new things. :P I also liked that they were sensitive to not wanting to intrude where they might not be wanted.
I even liked that Henry and Jessie sometimes had other plans, and weren't a part of all the activities. This book wasn't explicit about the children's ages, but Benny did say, at first, that he wished the Beach boys (aged 8 and 10) were older, which I think implied that Benny was older than they, so maybe he was 12? That would put Henry in his early 20's, and maybe he and Jessie were both in college, home for summer vacation!? I don't know, but it was kind of reassuring to see that they did sometimes have better things to do than play with little kids all the time.
I thought the mystery was just mysterious enough for a children's book - nothing criminal, and not too far-fetched.
And even though this book had an almost obligatory food business overnight success story a la Mike's Mother's Place and Benny's Buns, it was nice that someone besides Benny came up with the winning ideas.
Despite being such a pleasant read, I just couldn't bring myself to give this book 5 stars - though I would have given it 4 1/2 stars if 1/2 stars were possible here. I was really just hoping that the book would tie up one sort of loose end and somehow reunite a grown-up Willy with his rocking horse.
araleith's review
2.0
This one was really not as interesting an adventure as the other ones I have read.
bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
3.0
Tree House Mystery (1969) by Gertrude Chandler Warner is the fourteenth book in the Boxcar Children series, but it's the first one I've actually read. My previous experience with the Alden children was bringing home books on tape/CD from the library for my son when he was small and hearing some of the stories. I can't honestly say if this was one of them or not. I picked this one up from the library to go along with the Birth Year Reading Challenge (as well as others).
In this particular adventure, the Alden kids (Benny, Henry, Jessie, & Violet) are excited when new neighbors move in at the house next door. The Beach house has been empty for so long that they often had forgotten it was even there. But a family moves in with two young boys and soon the friendly Aldens have broken through their reserve and have convinced Jeffrey and Sammy Beach that the thing their new home is missing is a tree house.
While building the tree house and the kids get to know each other, the Aldens learn that Jeffrey and Sammy's dad and his brother used to have a tree house in that same tree. They used to have great fun until one day their prize possession--a telescope--went missing. Each blamed the other and, as sometimes happens, this small disagreement built up over the years and now the men rarely see each other or talk at all. There is also a secret room in the attic of the Beach house which shows evidence that a little boy (other than the Beach brothers) once lived there and played with a much beloved rocking horse. The kids are determined to discover what happened to the missing telescope and who the little boy was. They're certain that finding the telescope will help bridge the gap that has divided the Beach family for so many years. A telescope and a rocking horse are just what the Aldens need to solve a mystery and bring a happy ending for their new friends.
This is a cute story with a mystery that is just right for young readers. There is no danger involved and just a good dose of children's curiosity. A very pleasant read and I understand why my son liked these stories so much when he was little.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting.
In this particular adventure, the Alden kids (Benny, Henry, Jessie, & Violet) are excited when new neighbors move in at the house next door. The Beach house has been empty for so long that they often had forgotten it was even there. But a family moves in with two young boys and soon the friendly Aldens have broken through their reserve and have convinced Jeffrey and Sammy Beach that the thing their new home is missing is a tree house.
While building the tree house and the kids get to know each other, the Aldens learn that Jeffrey and Sammy's dad and his brother used to have a tree house in that same tree. They used to have great fun until one day their prize possession--a telescope--went missing. Each blamed the other and, as sometimes happens, this small disagreement built up over the years and now the men rarely see each other or talk at all. There is also a secret room in the attic of the Beach house which shows evidence that a little boy (other than the Beach brothers) once lived there and played with a much beloved rocking horse. The kids are determined to discover what happened to the missing telescope and who the little boy was. They're certain that finding the telescope will help bridge the gap that has divided the Beach family for so many years. A telescope and a rocking horse are just what the Aldens need to solve a mystery and bring a happy ending for their new friends.
This is a cute story with a mystery that is just right for young readers. There is no danger involved and just a good dose of children's curiosity. A very pleasant read and I understand why my son liked these stories so much when he was little.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting.
elevetha's review
3.0
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.
octavia_cade's review against another edition
2.0
A poor unsuspecting family moves next door the the Aldens, and is quickly made the subject of the nosiest children in the universe. It's pretty standard as these books go, down to Grandfather Alden continuing to quietly build his oligarchy by making sure he has a financial interest in everyone around him, but two things in particular did give me a small laugh. The first was Benny's minor temper tantrum after the two kids next door initially seemed to have no interest in hanging out with him. (I have no interest in you either, Benny.) The second was the number of times Henry and Jessie had plans of their own that took them out of the story. Apparently they're getting lives... Good for them. I hope they keep it up.
Maybe they're sick of Benny too.
Maybe they're sick of Benny too.