Our New Set
This set includes the first four books of Gertrude Chandler Warner's classic series (The Boxcar Children, Surprise Island, The Yellow House Mystery and Mystery Ranch) but is adapted for beginning readers (ages 5-8, grades K-2)! This series is a great transition or bridge from picture books to chapter books and can be purchased in paperback or hardback form.
The Time to Read program is designed to help children have literacy success regardless of their age or grade level. This program has three specific levels of reading readiness: Beginning to Read, Reading with Help and Reading Independently. This series is in the Level 2, Reading with Help category so these books contain short sentences, simple dialogue, and illustration support for the engaging stories within.
E with our books.
E is 8 and I would say a very advanced, independent reader. That didn't stop her from picking up these books and reading them. She read them in one sitting and really enjoyed them. We have read the original The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner (we also have the film) so she recognized the first story right away. She was delighted to read the "extra" adventures. She told me that she didn't realize there were more stories and she found them quite enjoyable. She also liked the new characters - Cousin Joe, Bill and Aunt Jane.
D Reading
Similarly to E, I found D picking up these books for a quick read as well. She too read them in one sitting and enjoyed them! However, her favorite remains the original story; whereas E really enjoyed the extra ones.
F reading with me.
This set is perfect for F (age 6, grade K). He is really excelling with his reading progress and this level is on target for him to read with my help. He needs my help quite a bit but I love how reading more just continues to give him greater confidence in his ability. Not only do these books challenge him (in a great way), he too really enjoys the stories.
These books are a great length for this level - not super short and not super long. They are full of wonderful, whimsy, and colorful illustrations. I love that the illustrations always support the story context. I noticed that F really likes to study the illustrations before we dive into the story. I appreciate his quest for context clues. All four books have a little mystery and exploration about them: Will the boxcar be their new home? What will they find when they spend time on their very own island? Will an old letter help them solve a mystery in the woods? What will the children discover at Aunt Jane's ranch? These are a great addition to our homeschool and reading library and we definitely recommend them.
A peek inside The Boxcar Children
A peek inside Surprise Island
These books are a great length for this level - not super short and not super long. They are full of wonderful, whimsy, and colorful illustrations. I love that the illustrations always support the story context. I noticed that F really likes to study the illustrations before we dive into the story. I appreciate his quest for context clues. All four books have a little mystery and exploration about them: Will the boxcar be their new home? What will they find when they spend time on their very own island? Will an old letter help them solve a mystery in the woods? What will the children discover at Aunt Jane's ranch? These are a great addition to our homeschool and reading library and we definitely recommend them.
A peek inside The Yellow House Mystery
Be sure to click on the banner below to visit the Homeschool Review Crew blog to read even more reviews of Albert Whitman & Company's The Boxcar Children Early Reader Set.
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