A surprisingly sweet prequel to the Boxcar Children books. While there is nary a mystery to be found, "Fair Meadow Farm" does a good job of establishing the children's characters without turning them into caricatures.

This book reminded me how much I loved the Boxcar Children before I became a crusty old cynic, and I think fans of the series will enjoy this story for the nostalgia it evokes. ( )

I've never read Gertrude Chandler Warner's Boxcar Children books, but when I saw this one by my favorite author, Patricia MacLachlan at our library, I picked it up. This is a lovingly told story with gently-handled accidental death. The four Alden children - Henry(~14), Jessie (~12), Violet (10), Benny (5) - are well-developed individuals. They have a loving home with parents who teach them responsibility and then trust them to do what's right. The Aldens take in the Clark family who have lost their home during the Depression and they become extended family. All the children are creative, as evidenced by the circus they put on.

I learned from Ms. MacLachlan's Afterword ("Setting the Scene") that Gertrude Warner lived in Putnam, Connecticut and was a teacher, where there is now a Boxcar Children Museum. MacLachlan even met some of Warner's former students. Putnam is in northeastern CT and I grew up in south central CT, so I feel a connection there. I may have to visit the Museum when next I go East. And now I'd like to read Warner's first book in the series. ( )

The Boxcar Children Beginning is a prequel to the Boxcar Children Series. This book gives the readers the background of the children and their parents (the Alden family) before tragedy took their parents away. The family farm was the beloved home to the children before their big “adventure.” This book is for second to third grade students and is sure to be a series worth introducing. ( )

A prequel to the beloved Boxcar Children series written by Patricia MacLachlan. The Boxcar books were one of the first series of chapter books I started reading in elementary school so I was excited to see this book! It tells the story of the Alden family before they lost their parents and were on the run from their grandfather. Economically, times are hard, but the Alden's are getting by and take in the Clark family who have lost their home because of tough times. The children help each other out and use their imaginations to make the best of hard times. Maclachlan adds snapshots of characteristics that each of the children show later in the book series, like Henry watching out for the rest, Jessie being the organizer, Violet being the fixer, and Benny being the comic who loves dogs. I think fans of the Boxcar series, new and old will enjoy this story. ( )

Big Kid Reaction: As surprising as it may sound, I have never read any of Warner's Boxcar Children books. Even without knowing those stories, I found MacLachlan's prequel to be enjoyable. Even knowing the sad "ending" to come, I would characterize it as a comfort read ... one I would go back to again.

Pros: This is a timeless story of simpler times and harder living. Whether you've met the Alden children in other books or are just being introduced, you'll find this an enjoyable, fast read.

Cons: None, really. Parents with children who are sensitive to loss or death may want to read this first or prepare their child as the story gets further along.

To read our full review, go to The Reading Tub®.