The Boxcar Children, Gertrude Chandler Warner

My mom introduced me to The Boxcar Children in the early 1980s, and I loved it so much I was inspired to grab my friends, build forts, and pretend we were roughing it on our own. Just as the book captivated me as a kid, I loved reading it with my now sixth grader a few years back, and I pulled it out again recently to enjoy with my second grader. 

Originally published in 1924, The Boxcar Children follows the adventures of four sibling orphans surviving on their own. After their parents die, the children run away to avoid living with a grandfather they believe will be mean to them. The two boys and two girls amazingly work together to set up and run a love-filled household in an abandoned boxcar. They take on adult responsibilities including finding work, cooking, cleaning and caring for younger siblings. Their resourcefulness, dedication to their family and strong work ethic are admirable, and my kids were fascinated by their exciting independent conquests.  

Fans of The Boxcar Children can keep busy reading the series, which includes more than 150 titles. Gertrude Chandler Warner wrote the first 19 books, and other authors penned the remainder.