The Great Turkey Heist (The Boxcar Children Mysteries)
#129 of 164 in The Boxcar Children Series
What’s inside...
There's going to be a free Thanksgiving dinner for the whole town of Greenfield — except the turkey is missing! The Aldens are helping out at a new food pantry, collecting donations and putting up signs. But someone keeps moving the signs, and when the main course for the big town dinner disappears, the Boxcar Children have a mystery to solve! The Alden children were searching for a home – and found a life of adventure! Beloved by generations of families, this illustrated chapter book series is full of wholesome excitement, danger, and mystery.
Discussion points
What do you think made the Boxcar Children work so well together to solve the mystery of the missing turkeys?
How do the Boxcar Children show kindness and consideration to others throughout their adventure?
What would you have done differently if you were one of the Boxcar Children in this mystery?
How do the characters in the book demonstrate problem-solving and teamwork?
What were your favorite parts of the mystery, and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the qualities that make a good team member by discussing the different roles each of the Boxcar Children played in solving the mystery.
Discuss the moral decisions characters make in the book to teach ethical thinking and empathy.
Prompt your child to express what they would do in challenging situations faced by the characters to foster critical thinking and personal connection to the story.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next at various points in the story to keep them engaged and thinking ahead.
Highlight how the children in the book respect and listen to one another, and discuss how these behaviors are important in real life too.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: Throughout 'The Great Turkey Heist,' the Alden siblings work together to solve the mystery of the missing turkeys. Their collaborative efforts highlight how teamwork can lead to successful problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or during play, learning how to cooperate and value each other’s input to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and problem-solving
Explanation: The young detectives gather clues and evaluate their findings to solve the mystery. This process showcases the importance of thinking critically and methodically approaching problems.
Real-World Application: Kids can use critical thinking skills in their daily decisions and in academic challenges, enhancing their ability to navigate complex situations and solve problems efficiently.
Example Lesson: Honesty and integrity
Explanation: The siblings demonstrate honesty as they interact with community members and question suspects, showing that integrity is crucial in building trust and respect.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the value of being truthful and ethical in interactions with friends and adults, promoting a trustworthy and reliable character.
Example Lesson: Resourcefulness
Explanation: The Boxcar Children use available resources and come up with creative solutions during their investigation. Their resourcefulness in difficult situations is a key factor in their success.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think creatively and use available resources to overcome obstacles, whether it's in their school projects, during play, or in other everyday challenges.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: As the siblings interact with various characters, they show empathy by considering others’ feelings and motivations, which helps them solve the mystery compassionately.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to be empathetic towards their peers and adults, fostering better interpersonal relationships and a deeper understanding of others’ perspectives.