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#12 in The Boxcar Children Series

The Copycat Mystery

3.90
on Goodreads (529)

What’s inside...

The Aldens find themselves right in the middle of an Iowa cornfield and a brand new mystery! The children visit a farm that’s famous for its wonderful corn maze. Every year the maze is open to visitors, and there’s even a festival! But who is damaging the maze at night? Can the Boxcar Children catch the culprit and save the festival?
In series
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-10
Length
128 pages
Text complexity

Discussion points

What do you think made the mystery in the book so intriguing?
How do you think the characters felt when they discovered the solution to the mystery?
What clues would you have looked for if you were solving the mystery?
How did the characters work together to solve the mystery, and what can we learn from their teamwork?
If you could add another twist to the story, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading each chapter, ask your child to predict what might happen next and why they think so.
While reading, pause at suspenseful moments and ask your child how they think the characters are feeling or what they should do next.
After finishing the book, encourage your child to recount the story from a different character’s perspective.
Discuss the importance of paying attention to detail and how it leads to better understanding and solving of mysteries.
Create a fun activity by drawing a scene from the book together, discussing the roles of different elements in the mystery.

Key lessons

Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout 'The Copycat Mystery', characters collaborate to solve puzzles, demonstrating that working together can lead to successful outcomes.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in group activities at school or with friends, learning to cooperate and value each other's input to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and problem-solving
Explanation: The mystery in the book pushes characters to think critically and solve complex problems, showcasing the power of logical reasoning.
Real-World Application: Kids can use critical thinking in their daily lives by analyzing situations before making decisions or coming up with creative solutions to obstacles they face at school or home.
Example Lesson: Honesty and integrity
Explanation: Characters in 'The Copycat Mystery' learn to be honest even when it's difficult, reinforcing the integrity needed to build trust.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to practice honesty in their interactions and take responsibility for their actions, which strengthens relationships and builds character.
Example Lesson: Observation and attention to detail
Explanation: Solving the mystery requires paying attention to details, a skill that is emphasized throughout the story.
Real-World Application: Children can hone their observational skills by being more aware of their surroundings and noticing small changes, which can help them in academic and personal environments.
Example Lesson: Resilience in facing challenges
Explanation: As the characters encounter setbacks while solving the mystery, they learn the value of persisting and not giving up easily.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of resilience in overcoming everyday challenges, whether it's dealing with a difficult homework assignment or resolving conflicts with peers.