"Family first" is the unofficial motto of The Boxcar Children—or, make that "most family first" since the Alden siblings are on the run from their evil grandfather. As the kids make their home in the boxcar, the siblings' love for one another is plain to see. They always work well as a team, supporting one another in everything they do. The older kids, Henry and Jessie, even act as parents to their little brother and sister by earning money, cooking, and caring for them. By the end of the book, the little family expands to include two more members: the children's grandfather (who isn't evil after all—yay) and Watch the dog.
Questions About Family
- Why is sticking together so important to the Boxcar Children? Give evidence from the text, please.
- Does The Boxcar Children promote traditional family values? Or, does it have a positive message about unconventional families? Explain your reasoning.
- Do you think that Jessie and Henry, as the family leaders, make good decisions? Why or why not?
Chew on This
In The Boxcar Children, family is a source of constant comfort to the Alden siblings. They're always there for each other no matter what.
In The Boxcar Children, family is a source of serious distress to the Alden siblings. Their parents are dead, and their fear of living with their grandfather forces them to flee civilization and make a home in the woods.