Special Collections
'The Boxcar Children' entire series
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The Cupcake Caper
by Robert Papp and Gertrude Chandler WarnerPeople line up around the block to buy Mama Tova's cupcakes. But who could be trying to steal her secret recipe? The Aldens follow the clues to a cupcake contest, where they must find a thief using their mystery-solving skills--and their taste buds, too!
The Dog-Gone Mystery
by Gertrude Chandler Warner and Robert PappWhen a dog training school opens in Greenfield, the Boxcar Children bring Watch in to learn some new tricks! But at the very first class, a Dalmatian goes missing--did the dog run away, or was he stolen? And when a second dog vanishes at the next class, it's clear that the Aldens have a dog-gone mystery to solve!
The Game Store Mystery
by Robert Papp and Gertrude Chandler WarnerJust after the Aldens arrive for the opening of The Game Stop, someone robs the coffee shop at the end of the mall where Queenie's new store is located. Raina, the young woman who works there, is accused and fired on the spot. But Queenie, who knows Raina, hires her. Is Queenie making a mistake? Strange things continue to happen. Letters disappear from the sign at the entrance to the mall. Eventually Queenie's store and the nearby jewelry store are robbed. Could it be Raina after all? Maybe, but there are more suspects to investigate, including Queenie's friend Carter, a Wordmaster champion. The Boxcar Children get busy trying to solve this latest puzzle.
The Ghost at the Drive-in Movie
by Gertrude Chandler Warner and Robert PappHenry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny have never been to a drive-in movie theater before, but they're visiting a friend who owns one. The children love to eat popcorn in the car and watch movies under the stars. But strange pranks are disrupting the fun. One night the sound system starts playing loud music during the movie, and a couple of the theater employees seem to be hiding a secret. Then, late at night, a ghost is seen walking around the empty grounds of the drive-in! Could the old theater be haunted?
The Ghost in the First Row
by Gertrude Chandler Warner and Robert PappThe Aldens are visiting Aunt Jane in Elmford. She tells the children that she has tickets for them to see a mystery play at the Trap-Door Theater. A theater patron who loved mysteries left her life savings to improve the theater and to hold a yearly contest with a cash prize awarded to the best mystery playwright in town. The Aldens can't wait to find out everything there is to know about the old Trap-Door Theater. But there is more than one mystery going on. Each day at rehearsal something strange has happened to the front-row seat once occupied by the benefactor-popcorn all over the floor, an old costume laid out, a spotlight shining on her empty seat. Is the benefactor's ghost haunting the theater, or is one of Elmford's living residents up to no good? There is only one thing the Aldens like better than a mystery-two mysteries for the price of one!
The Ghost of the Chattering Bones
by Robert Papp and Gertrude Chandler WarnerThe Alden children knew they would be investigating a mystery at Eton Place, but they had no idea there would be a ghost there, too! An old family friend, Norah Eton, believes there is a valuable piece of jewelry hidden somewhere on her property, but she only has one small clue to help the Aldens find it. Will they be able to find the treasure, or will the ghost of the Chattering Bones scare them away first?
The Giant Yo-Yo Mystery
by Robert Papp and Gertrude Chandler WarnerThe Aldens are helping one of Grandfather's friends break a world record by building the world's largest yo-yo! As they help with the project, strange things begin to happen. First someone follows them and then the plans for the yo-yo turn up missing, someone is trying to sabotage the yo-yo before it's launched! It seems there are a few people in Greenfield who don't want this yo-yo completed. The Boxcar Children will piece the evidence together to get to the bottom of this mystery.
The Great Detective Race
by Gertrude Chandler Warner and Robert PappThe local radio station is putting on the Great Detective Race, where contestants must solve riddles and search all over Greenfield for clues leading to the grand prize! One of the prizes would make a perfect gift for Mrs. MacGregor, so the Aldens sign up for the contest. Soon they're following the riddles' clues all over town. But when some of the clues turn out to be fake, it's clear that someone is playing unfairly. Could another contestant in the Great Detective Race be trying to stop the Boxcar Children from winning?
The Great Turkey Heist
by Gertrude Chandler Warner and Robert PappA new restaurant is opening up in Greenfield, and the Aldens are first in line to help the owner start up a food pantry. They do everything they can to collect donations, from putting up signs to offering a free Thanksgiving dinner for the whole town, but someone keeps moving the signs and even steals the giant turkey that was meant for the dinner. The clock is ticking to get it back, but never fear, the Boxcar Children are on the case.
A Horse Named Dragon
by Gertrude Chandler Warner and Robert PappThe Aldens are helping out at a rescue ranch, taking care of horses that need extra attention. Jessie's favorite is a beautiful horse named Dragon. But when Dragon and some of the other horses disappear from the pasture, the Boxcar Children must saddle up for a mystery. What's happening to the horses at the Dare to Dream Ranch?
The Mystery of the Orphan Train
by Robert Papp and Gertrude Chandler WarnerIn Kansas, the Boxcar Children stay in a beautiful Bed and Breakfast owned by Grandfather's friend, Kate Crawford. The children learn that the famous photographer Ethan Cape once stayed there and that there is almost nothing known about his early life. The children meet the other guests. Professor Brewer is not friendly and seems shocked to learn about the Ethan Cape photo of Kate's grandmother. They also meet the Mavins, a young couple who seem very interested in Kate's necklace. And Lindsay, the young woman Kate has hired to help around the Bed and Breakfast, seems to have something to hide. While polishing Kate's old family desk, the Aldens find a mysterious rhyme in a hidden compartment. Will the rhyme help them learn more about Ethan Cape? The Boxcar Children follow the clues.
The Mystery of the Traveling Tomatoes
by Gertrude Chandler Warner and Robert PappThe Aldens are helping the owner of a local restaurant grow delicious food in a garden. They work hard to water and weed and take care of the fruits and vegetables that are growing. But soon the children notice the strangest thing--the plants are moving. The tomato plants aren't in the same spot they were planted in! How could that be happening? Then, when fruits and vegetables start to vanish from the garden, it's clear that a brand new mystery is sprouting for the Boxcar Children.
The Pumpkin Head Mystery
by Gertrude Chandler Warner and Robert PappEvery fall at the Beckett farm, visitors come to buy pumpkins and go on hayrides. Best of all, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny get to dress up in costumes and help with the fun. But something is haunting the farm ... a mysterious ghost with a glowing pumpkin head!
The Rock 'n' Roll Mystery
by Robert Papp and Gertrude Chandler WarnerThe entire town is excited about the summer music festival, especially the Aldens, who have been asked to help with the show. The largest attraction this year will be the popular Greenfield Four. A big-time music producer is going to be in the crowd to catch the show, and Greenfield residents hope their favorite local group will be famous soon. The day before the show, The Greenfield Four arrive at the rehearsal hall to find all of their instruments missing! The band insists that they won't play without them, and now it's up to the Boxcar Children to find the instruments before the show. Who would want to sabotage the band's big show? Does someone want to steal the Greenfield Four's spotlight, or is the theft an act of revenge? The Aldens are on the case in this music festival mystery.
The Seattle Puzzle
by Gertrude Chandler Warner and Robert PappThe Aldens are on vacation in Seattle! On their first day of sightseeing a mystery falls right into their laps when Benny finds a riddle taped to the bottom of a table. What does the riddle mean, and where will it take them? Follow Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny as they crack the mysterious riddle on their way through the Emerald City.
The Secret of the Mask
by Robert Papp and Gertrude Chandler WarnerThe Aldens are preparing for a yard sale when they find an old wooden mask in the trash behind a neighbor's house. Violet notices that the mask looks like a Native American mask that she had read about. When the children go to the library to learn more about the mask, they discover that they have found an old Native American mask from the Hopi tribe. When the children learn there will be an Intertribal Pow-Wow at the park over the weekend, they plan to deliver the mask to its rightful owners. But Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny soon find out that they're not the only people interested in the history of the old wooden mask. A strange man is following them around, and an antique dealer is looking for more than her fair share at the Boxcar yard sale. When the mask is stolen from their garage, the Aldens vow to find it before the weekend Pow-Wow. But with such little evidence, will they be able to find the mask in time?
The Spy Game
by Gertrude Chandler Warner and Robert PappWhen the Boxcar Children uncover a strange puzzle in a friend's backyard, it's just the beginning of the "spy game"--a search for clues leading to gold! The children must make sense of a mysterious old photo and a riddle. But soon the children begin to suspect that there's a mystery inside the mystery. Just who is behind this spy game, anyway?
The Spy in the Bleachers
by Gertrude Chandler Warner and Robert PappIt's a big week at Cogwheel Stadium--the Clayton Cogs are playing for the pennant! But the other team's batters seem to know the pitches too well, and it's clear someone in the stadium is stealing the Cogs' pitcher's signals. Now the Boxcar Children must find out who is spying for the other team!
Superstar Watch
by Robert Papp and Gertrude Chandler WarnerThe Wundermutt dog food company is searching for a very special dog to be in their commercials, and the Aldens bring their dog, Watch, to the tryouts! But plenty of other dog owners are hoping their dogs get the job, too--including a dog that's already famous. Does Watch have what it takes to be a star?
The Sword of the Silver Knight
by Robert Papp and Gertrude Chandler WarnerThe Aldens are volunteers at a medieval fair! They are excited to wear costumes and entertain the crowds. But when a valuable sword goes missing, the children know their toughest job is going to be catching the thief. Can the Boxcar Children find the sword and solve the mystery before the fair moves on to Silver City?
The Vampire Mystery
by Gertrude Chandler Warner and Robert PappHenry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny meet Mr. Hudson, a local author who is best known for his novel about a vampire. But rumors of a real vampire are going around town--a vampire who haunts the graveyard behind Mr. Hudson's house! Since vampires don't exist, the children soon realize that someone must be trying to scare people away! Who brought the old legend back to life--and why?
The Vanishing Passenger
by Robert Papp and Gertrude Chandler WarnerThe Aldens are at the Greenfield train station to meet their favorite mystery writer! Gilbert Finch has agreed to come to their library and meet all of his fans. But when Finch's train arrives, there is no sign of him anywhere. The famous author has vanished! Will the Boxcar Children be able to find him?
The Zombie Project
by Robert Papp and Gertrude Chandler WarnerWhile at the Winding River Lodge, the Aldens hear about a zombie living in the surrounding forest! As the signs of zombie attacks start to mount, the Boxcar Children recruit the help of a reporter and some locals. But is someone hiding information? Or should the Boxcar Children really be afraid of things that go bump in the night?
The Comic Book Mystery
by Gertrude Chandler Warner and Hodges SoileauHenry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny used to live alone in a boxcar. Now they have a home with their grandfather, and they're going to a comic book convention! The Alden Children are searching for a rare comic book of their favorite superhero, Captain Fantastic. When they finally find the comic, they discover something else, too: a strange note inside, "signed" by the comic's creator. The Aldens soon realize the note is fake. But when they start to investigate, the mysterious note is stolen! It looks like Captain Fantastic has a real-life enemy. Who would want to sabotage a superhero? The Aldens will need their super powers of investigation to catch this comic book culprit!
The Copycat Mystery
by Gertrude Chandler Warner and Hodges SoileauThe Alden children are going back in time by helping at an old Victorian house that has been turned into a museum. But rumor has it that the place is haunted by the spirit of the practical joker Horace Wagner! Is there really a ghost?