The Boxcar Children Beginning: The Aldens of Fair Meadow Farm
Written by Patricia MacLachlan
Narrated by Tim Gregory
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
Patricia MacLachlan
Patricia MacLachlan (1938–2022) was the author of many well-loved novels and picture books, including Sarah, Plain and Tall, winner of the Newbery Medal; its sequels, Skylark and Caleb’s Story; Edward’s Eyes; The True Gift; Waiting for the Magic; White Fur Flying; Fly Away; and Snow Horses. She lived in western Massachusetts.
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Reviews for The Boxcar Children Beginning
118 ratings10 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I am a homeschooling Mom with 3 children ranging from 2-11. We listen to audiobooks on the drive when we are running errands, between extracurricular activities, driving to our favorite fishing holes and when we are doing our work around the house. I've read the first Boxcar Children book to my kids and decided to listen to this title today while we were headed to see a friend. My kids and I enjoyed listening to the beginning of the beginning. I would recommend it!
7 people found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A 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.
6 people found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5great
4 people found this helpful
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Reason for Reading: I am reading and collecting the first 19 original books by Gertrude Chandler Warner. I usually don't read modern prequels or continuations such as this (I didn't go anywhere near the Anne of Green Gables prequel!) but MacLachlan is a widely respected, award winning author whom I've read before so after a little consideration I thought I would give this a go.MacLachlan is a good writer who especially does the historical very well. The year is never given, but going from the first BC book, this must be set in the early 40s. These are "hard times" and the Aldens live a simple life and the book tells the daily life of a simple family. There is slight drama to the plot but mostly it is a series of events that lead up to what the reader knows will be coming, the death of their parents and the turning of the children into orphans. This is all dealt with very gently and "not a big deal". No one should come into this book not having read their share of Boxcar Children Mysteries; this story is not to make one sad as one already knows the grand future of these children. MacLachlan has managed to keep Warner's simple style of writing while maintaining a quality work something she is well known for in her original work. Overall, I didn't really find this story adding anything that needed to be told. It is a simple book, not the beginning of a new series and does not add to the Alden Family canon. I'm sure it will sell well initially, but has nothing to sustain its longevity. A slow, gentle story, without much happening, no mystery and simply a preface to the opening chapter of the original Boxcar Children written in 1942.
3 people found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I really loved it .???? it was great 5 stars.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is a great book!
I loved it a lot!1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It was fun to listen to. My favorite part was the circus. It was also somewhat sad. Good book. Love it.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5?? good I loved IT IT was imosinal but cute
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I loved this book My favorite part was the circus !Read this book and quick
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It’s so so good and sad at the same time