Surprise Island (The Boxcar Children Mysteries)

Reason for Reading: This is another book from the Random Bookshelf that I am reading from this year.The Boxcar Children have played a big part in my and my children's lives. I intend to acquire a complete set of the first 19 books (the others hold no interest to me) and keep them as keepers on my juvenile shelves for my future grandchildren.

Book 2 is very similar to that of the first in the series. First of all, there is no real mystery except for the hidden identity of a man on the island known only to them as "Joe". However, the fisherman who lives on the island knows who he really is and tells the Dr., though swears him to secrecy. The children continuously suspect Joe of being more than just a handyman and wonder who he really is. The story itself is adorable and brings back the children surviving on their own as Grandfather owns a small island where he has decided to let the children stay for the duration of the summer holidays. They, of course, are excited as it brings back their boxcar days and they get right to fixing up the barn as a summer home and cooking, mending and fixing for themselves. A quaint story with no antagonists but simply an innocent tale of childhood from the days of yesteryear. Kids today will get a big kick out of the children being able to live on an island all by themselves for the summer. The resolution is fun and should add another character to the series in the following volumes. Mary Gehr's line & ink drawings are typical of the era and lovingly match the text. An enjoyable, wholesome story for both boys and girls.

This book is all about independents, exploring, and resourcefulness.

This book picks up with the four kids, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny, living with their grandfather. One day Grandfather announces a big surprise. He owns an island. The kids are excited to find out that they will be able to staying on an island for summer vacation. The kids enjoy exploring the island and creating adventure. As with the first book they are very resourceful but this time in using the things they find on the island.

This is an excellent book to use with grade school kids as a read aloud. Once the kids get hooked into the story and fall in love with the adventuresome kids, they will want to read them all.

These books seem best suited for a young reader who is moving beyond simple chapter books and who needs a transition to more demanding fare. The characters are fine, the writing is straightforward, the plots are not very complex. Because the children are resourceful and creative, and because the books are set in exciting locales, (this one is on a private island), there is a lot of room for the reader to daydream, imagine the scenes and join in on the adventure. I can see why many reviewers have fond memories of these books from their own childhoods, and even though they are a bit dated there is a certain timeless quality to the adventures that help them work now for a more modern reader, (did I mention they're on a deserted island?).

I still enjoy these books even though the real thrill of reading them only happens when you're still a child. I remember not liking this one much the first time through, actually, but then a year later or so re-reading it and liking it.
Basically it's a summer of re-living the survival skills of the first book, except they are in a barn on their grandfather's island. A captain and his so-called handyman live close by to help if anything should happen. But the handyman seems to know a lot, and the children find it hard to believe that he's only a handyman.
This book also marks the first appearance of Benny's friend Mike, who plays a pretty important role in some of the books to come. It also hints at the yellow house, which was what spurred the story of the third book (the first real mystery in the series).
Definitely should be read as part of the real Boxcar Children experience - not the foundationless fluff written by various authors of today.

Mysteryous adventures welcome The Boxcar Children to Suprise Island, a mysteryous private island that the children visit in the second book in THE BOXCAR CHILDREN series.
One of the very rare orginal books, truly written by Gurtrude Chandler Warner, it follows the newest adventures of Henery, Jessie, Vilot, and Benny as they attempt to solve the mystery of the island's stranger who cannot reveal his identy to them.... This book is even more gripping and mysteryous than the forerunner, THE BOXCAR CHILDREN, and will delight those who consider themselves friends of the Alden family.
Also Reccomended: The Boxcar Children (#1), The Yellow House Mystery (#3), Mystery Ranch (#4), Mike's Mystery (#5), Blue Bay Mystery (#6), The Woodshed Mystery (#7), The Lighthouse Mystery (#8) Mountian Top Mystery (#9), Schoolhouse Mystery (#10) Caboose Mystery (#11), Houseboat Mystery (#12), Snowbound Mystery (#13), Tree House Mystery (#14), Bicycle Mystery (#15), Mystery in the Sand (#16), Mystery Behind the Wall (#17), Bus Station Mystery (#18), Benny Uncovers a Mystery (#19)

The Boxcar Children #2 Suprise Island is a great book for kids and others 15 and under. My favorite part was when the kids found Indian Point and all the artifacts hidden there. After they found all the artifacts they made there own museum. My other favorite part was when the dogs raced each other. When they had to leave they weren't very disspointed because they knew that they were going to come back.The author is such a realistic writer that when you read this book you think that you are there with them.

The Boxcar Children are a wonderful series to read.This was the first book I read in the series. I love how the children go along with as little adult supervision as possible.They are surrounded by a mystery every place they go.

Yes, they were written years ago and occasionally some things will seem "out-dated" but my almost 8 year old and 5 year old LOVE these books. The perfect amount of mystery without being scary. This one was great.

This book and series are a great childrens series. It gives younger kids something to read and think about at the same time since it is a set of mysteries. You could say its a more educated way of solving mysteries rather than watching scooby doo. I know these books were my choice when I was growing up because I loved solving mysteries and Gertrude Chandler Warner is a great childrens author and sure made my childhood reading experiences enjoyable. If I could ask Gertrude Chandler Warner a question i would ask what inspired you to write these mysteries and why you decided to become an author.

My children ages 6, 4 and 2 have certainly enjoyed reading these books as part of our night time routine! Such fun adventures to spark their imaginations, and they love getting to know each of the characters

This book is a pretty good book, but like mentioned in the title of this review, the first one was better.
The whole alden family changed after the came to live with their grandfather, they lost some of their, oh, I don't know, Charictor.
Benny, seemed like a brat, and violet seemed a little bit clueless. But other then that, this book is great!

My 10 year old daughter enjoy this book and wanted to share her thoughts on the book. This book was really fun to read and if you ever wanted to go to an island you should read this book. This is the second story of the boxcar children when they solve a mystery and have an adventure on an island.

This book is a little bit confusing. I really don't get the point of it. Also this doesn't pull you in like the other one. Also it is called a mystery, but I don't think so. I really don't recommend this book.

I have many of the Boxcar children books. They are really colorful on my bookshelf because of the differnt colors of the spines of the books. OK, once you read the first book, you have to read the second one. It is really good for people who are adventurous just like the Boxcar Children. This set of books are perfect for young readers. Parents, These are perfect for your kids. They are short and sweet. I recommend this for children in the Third and Fourth Grades

When I say "So many surprises," I really mean it! For example, the children find Indian artifacts, when they never thought they would. Benny and his friend found a mini-cave. I like this book because it had so many surprises!

Warner's second in the Boxcar series is pretty much more of the same. Gone however is any real novelty or discovery.

This time around it gets a little creepy by modern, postfeminist standards. The girls delight in nonstrenuous domesticity, whereas the boys do the heavy lifting and shop work. Henry assumes the role of Father Knows Best autocrat for the little family, the rich grandfather being mostly absent again.

Not too surprising, given that Warner's generation also made the infamous mental hygiene classroom films and social engineering initiatives of the post-WWII era.

If traditional, rigidly-defined, sex-linked roles taught by example are okay with readers' parents, go for it. Progressives and modern liberals will surely be appalled. The enigmatic character of Joe could never be written into modern stories.

The artwork in this edition of Surprise Island is wretched, nothing at all like the first book's.

Received this book, is warped like it was wet and very poor condition. Would like a replacement, believe it was from Alphabet soup books. Need a reply and solution fast, for a birthday in 2 1/2 weeks. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

I enjoy reading the Boxcar Children. This is the second book in the series - The Boxcar's second adventure. This is how the book goes- Well four kids - Henery,Jessie,Violet,and Benny Alden orphans who made home in a boxcar befor their weathly grandfather discorvered them. They are out of school and they are going to stay on their grandfather's private island - Guess what they will live in? Guess how many people will be on the island besides of them? Will they suceed in their adveture or will it fail? Why is the reason it is called Surpise Island? Well, you will have to read this book to find out. Let me tell you it is a good read if you are familar with the boxcar children.

My son & I read this together. We enjoyed reading about the numerous adventures the Alden children went on while on the island. Very good read for any child looking to gain accelerated reading points!