Customer Reviews

Mystery Ranch: The Boxcar Children Series #4

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Why isn't this book as good as the rest? I hated it when i was little, much as I loved the rest of the original series. Years have passed since then and I read it again and it's not so bad. But the other reviewers are correct in the fact that this is no mystery, really.

As for the purpose of this book in the scheme of the entire series, it's actually very important. This book is the important link between books 3 and the rest of the series. This book introduces Aunt Jane, a very important role in the future of the children, and it sets the groundwork for book 5, "Mike's Mystery", which takes place on the same ranch some time later. And book 5 is the springboard for Mike to be more important in later adventures. So there is a purpose to this book.

I can't really recommend it though. But any child who wants to read the whole series should not skip this book - it's still part of the experience, no matter how dull it may seem, and it's really not THAT bad.

ISBN 0807553913 - I really like the Boxcar Children series, and because the previous reviews on this one have brought these things up, I thought I'd include my thoughts: Yes, the children travel, etc alone. The book is copyrighted in 1958, when the world was a great deal safer and more innocent. If it's a concern to you, as a parent, take advantage of the chance to point out some of the ways the world has changed in the last 50 years. I also agree there's not a lot of mystery, but it's a kids' book and I have yet to read any kids' book that didn't have an entirely predictable storyline and ending.

The adventure begins when Grandfather gets a letter from his sister's neighbor, who also acts as her nurse. Jane is impossible and Maggie, the neighbor, is going to leave. Grandfather is worried because his sister can't live alone, so when the girls offer to go stay with her, it seems like a perfect - if temporary - solution.

On the train to Centerville, the girls meet a mysterious man who disappears as soon as they get off the train. Taking care of Aunt Jane takes their mind off the identity of the man and the girls settle in happily. Unable to resist her great-nieces, Aunt Jane begins to respond and even starts to be happy! As the end of the summer looms, the whole family is re-united on the ranch in time to save the ranch, solve the riddle of the mystery man and celebrate Aunt Jane's birthday - and her decision to let go of an almost lifelong grudge against her brother.

More sentimental than most of the rest of the series, Mystery Ranch is a good read for lessons in forgiveness, family and love, but if you're looking for true mystery, you might try a more contemporary author. And if you're a Boxcar Children fan, most definitely read this one - it's as good as the rest of the series, just in a different way.

- AnnaLovesBooks

"The Mystery Ranch" is part of the Boxcar Children series. In my opinion,it is not as well thought out as the first book,though my 5you loved the whole thing. The children are still very independent,doing things unsupervised that I would never allow my children to do(travelling alone,cooking,shopping.) Of course,that's part of the fun of the Boxcar series. My daughter so identifies with the girls,she wants to BE like them. So,on a too-hot-to-breathe day I might suggest this book,if your kids have nothing better to do. It's not a waste of time,just not the author's best effort

I purchased the Kindle version of this because our local library did not have a hard copy to borrow. My children and I have been disappointed to discover the Kindle version has missing content. Every few chapters, there is an obvious "jump" where material is missing. Reading this book has turned into an exercise in deductive reasoning for us trying to figure out what happened in the missing sections. If at all possible, buy (or borrow)a hard copy of this instead of purchasing the Kindle version.

I'd have to agree w/ Mrs Baldwin on the Not So MYSTEIRIOUS, however, it was well written and had a decent plot. Maybe I say this in fear the series that really got me interested in reading and is probably the reason that my parents got me this kindle, but I doubt that. I'd have to say that good old gertrude w. is a better writer that other writer that did 20 and up. That writer liked using the same phrases over and over and it got old,and at one point, annoying. However, if you are in the right mood for a light read, this is the one for you.

You can never go wrong with The Boxcar Children the first 20 classic books are the absolute best. My daughter is 5 and is loving the time we have together to read a chapter everynight and can't wait to find out what happens next in these classic stories

I was disappointed. I wanted only hardback copies, and I did not see where this said paperback.
My loss, will have to be more careful in the future.
The series is good for children's reading.
Thank you,
S. A. Henry

I love this book it kept me on the edge of my seat. i recomend this book to people who like mysteries.

This is the most boring book I have ever read! I loved the boxcar children books, and all of them I would rate better the 3 stars, but this one was so borring. MYSTERY ranch? What MYSTERY? The was no mystery in this book at all. The whole thing was just so borring. It's the worst boxcar book I have ever read, and I have read about 42 of their so far 87 books! It's just so borring.