I never read the Boxcar Children as a child, but I really wish I had. Ivy just adores the resourcefulness of these children. Each book is a mystery, but the mystery is not as important as how the children are able to survive on their own. Ivy loves to think of the talents of each of the young heroines. Henry is the builder, Jessie is the cook, Violet the musician/artist, and Benny is the finder of childhood fun. One of her favorite games is to play the Boxcar Children. Atticus is, of course, Benny. I am Jessie, and Ivy is Violet. Matt is Henry, who is often away building something or foraging for food. In this book, the children are left to summer alone on Surprise Island. They befriend the handyman, Joe, but there is something special about him that makes the children think he is more than he appears to be. Also, the children have discovered numerous Native American artifacts while on the island. If they let the public know, will Surprise Island be overrun with curious tourists? Read to find out more about the Boxcar Children in this Gertrude Chandler Warner classic.
