Benny Uncovers a Mystery
#19 of 164 in The Boxcar Children Series
What’s inside...
Benny and his friend Mike become intrigued by a uranium mine and decide to investigate, only to find themselves being followed. Meanwhile, four siblings embark on a journey seeking a home and find themselves on thrilling adventures. In a separate incident, Benny and Henry take summer jobs at a department store and unexpectedly find themselves solving mysterious cases involving a missing vase, strange notes, and a tampered jewelry display.
Discussion points
What do you think Benny felt when he discovered the mystery? How would you feel in his situation?
Can you think of a time when you solved a problem or mystery? What did you do?
Why do you think teamwork was important in solving the mystery in the book?
What would you have done differently if you were Benny? Why?
How do you think the characters changed from the beginning to the end of the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the story to life, altering your voice for different characters and events.
Pause at suspenseful moments to allow your child to guess what might happen next, fostering their predictive skills.
After reading, connect the book’s themes to real-life situations your child might encounter to make the content more relatable.
Encourage your child to draw or write about their favorite part of the story, promoting their creativity and understanding of the book’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: In 'Benny Uncovers a Mystery', Benny and his friends work together to solve a mystery, demonstrating how collaboration can lead to success.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to cooperate with peers in school projects or during play, understanding that teamwork can achieve greater results than working alone.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and critical thinking
Explanation: Benny's quest to uncover the mystery showcases his curiosity and use of critical thinking skills to gather clues and solve problems.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to ask questions, explore their surroundings, and engage in problem-solving activities in their everyday life, enhancing their analytical skills.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and perseverance
Explanation: Throughout the book, Benny demonstrates responsibility in his determination to find the truth, and perseverance when faced with challenges.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of staying dedicated to tasks, whether it's completing homework, chores, or other responsibilities, and not giving up when facing difficulties.
Example Lesson: Honesty
Explanation: As the story unfolds, Benny values honesty and seeks the truth, reinforcing the moral significance of being truthful.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the importance of honesty in their interactions with family and friends, promoting trust and integrity.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Benny shows empathy by considering how the unfolding mystery affects others around him, leading to a deeper understanding of other’s emotions.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to be considerate and understand the feelings of others, which can improve their social interactions and foster kindness.