Boxcar Children Early Reader REVIEW

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

Have I mentioned before how much Little Bug loves to read?  That girl just LOVES books!  When we received The Boxcar Children Early Reader Set published by Albert Whitman & Company for review she about jumped out of her skin.  We received 4 hardcover books of The Boxcar Children Time to Read ™ Level 2 series based on the book by Gertrude Chandler Warner.  I have fond memories from MANY years ago in my grade school years when I had a teacher that read books to us.  One of the many books I enjoyed was The Boxcar Children.  I was excited to see that they have come up with a series for this wonderful book and have now expanded into an early reader set for ages 5-7 years old (K - 2nd grade).  The books are very nice quality and the pages are 

thick, semi-gloss paper.

Time to Read early reader program levels

The Time to Read ™ early reader program includes 3 levels of reading; Level 1 Beginning to Read, Level 2 Reading with Help, and Level 3 Reading Independently.  The books we received are Level 2 which are below Little Bug's level but I knew she would love the books and I don't believe you can ever read too much.  The program is not based on age or grade as much as it is focused on reading readiness and preparing young readers to succeed in their reading endeavors.

The series I received included The Boxcar Children, Surprise Island, Mystery Ranch, and The Yellow House Mystery.  There is drama, suspense, independence, and excitement throughout the series.  In the first book, The Boxcar Children, we are introduced to our main characters (the Alden family) Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny.  Henry and Jessie are the two oldest.  The Aldens are orphans, their parents recently died and they are determined to stay together and find a place to live.  They find an old boxcar in the woods and decide to make it home.  They do have a grandfather (Henry) but they are convinced that he is mean and does not like them.  Read the book to find out who their furry friend Watch is and if grandfather really is so mean or not.  How will they live?  Violet gets sick.  What does Dr. Moore do that helps them?  Will they be OK?  Get the book to read about what happens to the Aldens.

In Surprise Island, the children are brought to a special island by their grandfather, Henry.  As you will see throughout the series the children are very independent and fend for themselves quite well.  They are left on the island to explore and enjoy.  Who is the mystery man they meet and who is he to the Alden children?  Do the children get along with Captain Daniel, the man who oversees the island?  Join them in their adventures as they settle into the barn for their summer home and set up their own museum.  Read to the end to find out why they called their summer place Surprise Island.

The adventures continue in Mystery Ranch when the Alden kids visit their Aunt Jane on her ranch.  Aunt Jane is sad and lonely, but Watch is able to cheer her a little bit.  Will Aunt Jane have to sell the ranch?  What did Benny find?  Who is the mystery man, Mr. Carter and why is he interested in the ranch?  Will Aunt Jane have to sell her ranch and who is her new friend in the end?  Get your copy to find out!

The fourth book in our series, The Yellow House Mystery, continues with the Alden children and their adventures.  The mysterious "yellow house" is on Surprise Island.  The children ask to explore the house and ask their Grandfather Henry about it.  There was a man named Bill who used to take care of the island for him but he disappeared after Grandfather loaned him some money.  Why did Bill disappear?  Is he OK?  What did he do with the money?  Follow the Aldens on their adventure as they follow the clues to find out if Bill is still alive, where he might have gone, and why he left Surprise Island.  Benny finds an important clue and they go off on another fun adventure to find the answers to their questions.

Sample page from The Boxcar Children

We really like this series.  The books are high quality and the graphics are colorful and engaging.  The font is large and easy to read and the stories definitely keep Little Bug's interest.  She can't wait for us to get more in the series.  There are currently 7 books available in this mystery adventure series with an 8th one planned this year.  Since these were easy for her to read I let her read them out loud to me and then asked her questions about what she read.  She had great comprehension and the stories kept her easily engaged.  We highly recommend The Boxcar Children Early Reader Set. Little Bug says, "these are my absolute favorite books!"

You can connect with Albert Whitman & Company on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and YOUTUBE.  Please be sure to read the reviews from my fellow Crew members on this wonderful series by clicking on the graphic link below.  Happy reading! ..