Well we are still trucking along on the Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner. Book number 4 or Mystery Ranch was a lucky garage sale find for us… we had it on hand and everything! So as soon as we got done our book 3 review (HERE) we moved onto this one. So please enjoy our review. As always, be aware that Gavin CAN let spoilers slip. I do not censor him when I type up his review.

I actually read this book in one sitting at the hair salon. It was a nice escape from the noise while I was stuck sitting down. I would say this is the shortest read (for me) so far. But the story is no less entertaining. There is the usual mystery, a new location and interesting characters to meet as well as the same basic 4 children and dog with their loving grandfather.

I think this is the first time I had Gavin question what something was listed in the book. An ore that came up had to be discussed but as usual the illustrations were fun (though our cover was more modern the illustrations inside were not and a lot more interesting.). I can honestly say it is not a hardship to be required to read this and have a discussion with Gavin. I am also looking forward to book 5 which we could only find on ebook form at our local library.

Now for Gavin’s opinion:

GAVIN

It is a really good book because they put a lot of effort into the mystery. I would read this book again. I did not know the answer to the mystery until I got to the last bit of the book. I like this series. I still enjoyed the second book (HERE) the most. My favourite character in this book was Benny with his dog (Watch) because Benny is funny and Watch is cute.

We found, quite by chance, that in 2014 there was a Boxcar Children movie made (cartoon) so of course, on a quiet and COLD Friday afternoon we popped some popcorn and HAD TO have a watch. It was an interesting situation. Myself and the twins had read the first book but the younger ones had not. I think we ALL got some enjoyment out of it.

But here is my review… the kids will follow… BEWARE OF SPOILERS… with theirs of course!

Anyway. The movie does follow much of the main storyline of the book. The characters are the same, the situations definitely familiar. Of course, to save time a lot of the slower bits are removed and some events sped along. I honestly found the voices for all the characters fit the story, the animation was not Disney super slick but fun and the level of suspense did not make any of the kids uncomfortable. For a movie based on a children’s book it is actually rather fun well worth the watch even if you have NOT read the book and if you have… not a disappointment!

ZANDER

It was a good movie. I liked the voices for the people. They sounded like how I thought they would when I read the book. I think the dog (Watch) looked better in the book (illustrations). The book and the movie are both a little different. They were both really good. I think you could read the book first or watch the movie first. You would enjoy both. I read the book because there was a dog in it.

GAVIN

I think it was good. I think they should make more movies about the books. I loved the colours and the animation. I thought it was better than the book because they added stuff not in the book. I think kids would like it. I think it doesn’t matter if you read the book or watch the movie first but if you read the book first you won’t be disappointed that there is stuff in the movie that was not in the book and same about the book having stuff that was not in the movie.

EMANUEL

I liked that they lived in the boxcar. I loved the little doggy (Watch). I haven’t read the book but I still want to when I am 10. I like that it is about kids. I would watch the movie THREE times! I like how they made the boxcar into a very beautiful place using recycled things.

TRINITY

It was cool. The dog (Watch) was cute AND my favourite. I loved the big house. It was not a scary movie. It was a good movie. I would want to watch it again!

You can read our book reviews on Books ONE, TWO and THREE! There are 19 books in the series by Gertrude Chandler Warner. I really do expect that Gavin at least, will want to read them all!