The Mystery of the Traveling Tomatoes (The Boxcar Children Mysteries)
#117 of 164 in The Boxcar Children Series
What’s inside...
When the Boxcar Children help out in a local garden, they dig up one strange thing after another! First, the tomato plants seem to move every day. How can that be? Then the Aldens follow the clues to an unsolved bank robbery, and it's clear that a very big mystery is growing in Greenfield.
Character compass
Henry Alden
Violet Alden
Jessie Alden
Benny Alden
Discussion points
What do you think motivated the Aldens to solve the mystery of the traveling tomatoes?
How did teamwork help the Boxcar Children in their adventure?
What would you have done differently if you were one of the Boxcar Children in this mystery?
How do you think the mystery of the traveling tomatoes affected the people in the town?
What did you learn about trust and suspicion from the characters' interactions?
Tip: Role play these questions
Begin your discussion by asking your child what they enjoyed most about the story. This sets a positive tone and encourages open communication.
Use the questions to guide your child to think critically about the plot and characters. Encourage them to think about the motives and relationships in the story.
Relate the scenarios in the book to your child’s experiences, asking if they have ever faced similar mysteries or situations and how they felt about them.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or different actions the characters could have taken, enhancing their creative thinking.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and trust, as shown in the book, and relate these values to everyday situations in your child’s life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: The Alden siblings work together to solve the mystery of the traveling tomatoes, demonstrating how collaboration can lead to success.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by working together with their peers on group projects or in team sports, understanding that collective efforts yield better results.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Throughout the book, the children encounter various challenges and puzzles that they need to solve in order to progress in their adventure.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to become critical thinkers and use logical reasoning to solve problems they encounter in school or in daily life.
Example Lesson: Importance of curiosity
Explanation: The young characters show a keen interest in discovering the truth behind the mystery, which drives the narrative forward.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to be inquisitive about the world around them, explore new topics, and ask questions to gain a deeper understanding of subjects that interest them.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: As the children navigate through their investigation, they make mistakes but use them as learning opportunities to get closer to solving the mystery.
Real-World Application: Children learn that mistakes are part of learning and that they can be used as stepping stones to success rather than setbacks.
Example Lesson: Ethics and honesty
Explanation: The Boxcar Children show honesty and integrity during their quest, making moral choices that reflect their character.
Real-World Application: This highlights the importance of being truthful and ethical in interactions with others, reinforcing moral behavior in school and at home.