The Amusement Park Mystery Graphic Novel (The Boxcar Children Graphic Novels)
#10 of 164 in The Boxcar Children Series
illustrations by
on Goodreads (45)
What’s inside...
The Aldens are going to visit their cousins Joe and Alice, who live near an amazing amusement park. The park has everything they could wish for, from a merry-go-round to all the cotton candy they can eat. But when odd lights appear and they receive a mysterious phone call, the children are determined to uncover the secret behind the closed park. Aligned to Common Core Standards, this mystery is published by Spotlight, a division of ABDO.
Character compass
Henry Alden
Violet Alden
Jessie Alden
Benny Alden
Discussion points
What do you think makes an amusement park a perfect setting for a mystery?
How do the characters work together to solve the mystery? How does teamwork help them?
What clues did you find most intriguing or surprising?
How did the mystery change the way the characters saw the amusement park? How did it change your view?
If you were to create your own mystery, what setting would you choose and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to elaborate on their answers by asking follow-up questions like 'Why do you think that?' or 'Can you tell me more about that?'
Relate the story to a real-life visit to an amusement park, discussing memories and tying them to the book’s events to make the discussion more meaningful.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next if the book had another chapter, fostering their imagination and critical thinking.
Discuss the importance of working together and how teamwork is depicted in the book, linking it to everyday situations your child might encounter.
Show genuine interest in their thoughts and responses. This validates their opinions and encourages them to share more.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: The characters in the story work together to solve the mystery, demonstrating the importance and effectiveness of collaborating with others.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in sports, learning to listen to others and contribute to a common goal.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Through the process of uncovering clues and deducing information, the children in the book enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Real-World Application: Kids can use these skills in academic settings like math or science classes, or in everyday situations where they need to think through problems logically.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The young detectives take on the responsibility of solving the mystery, showing accountability and perseverance.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of taking responsibility for their tasks and seeing them through, whether it be homework assignments or household chores.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and learning
Explanation: The story encourages curiosity as the characters seek to learn more about the mystery they are solving.
Real-World Application: Fostering curiosity can drive children to explore new subjects and areas of interest, increasing their knowledge and understanding of the world.
Example Lesson: Honesty
Explanation: As the characters interact and solve the mystery, honesty plays a crucial role in their communications and actions.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the importance of being truthful in their interactions with others, which is essential for building trust and strong relationships.