READING LEVEL: 4.1 AR POINTS: 2.0
(7-10 years; grades 1-5)

This was a cute little story that grew and grew until everyone was so angry at each other because they were working so hard in their community gardens trying to grow blue-ribbon vegetables for competitions, but someone was either picking all their vegetables or ruining their garden with a 3-wheeler.

Four siblings offered to help their grandfather's old friend with his community garden when he broke his arm and were also very interested in helping solve the mystery of the garden thief. They do help solve the mystery, but they also learn a lot of real gardening techniques.

I even stopped reading and texted my daughter who is going to have a fall garden for the first time, to remind her to plant her seeds a liitle at a time, every two weeks, so she doesn't harvest everything all at one time.

Her boys actually helped me rototille my garden and plant the seeds in my garden this year. I only have 2 of my 20x30 beds planted this summer. Unfortunately, we've had SO MUCH rain this spring and summer that everything except the okra has drowned and died. But the boys seemed to really enjoy working with me in the garden, so I think they might really enjoy this story too. ( )

fair - Katrina

I love the Boxcar Children. I realize that this series has been around for a long time but they are still new issues being issued today. This series of books has really had longevity. I think the reason why the Boxcar Children has endured is because the kids are so well mannered, respectful, kind, obedient, and smart. These are kids that we all hope to have as parents. We want to pass on these qualities of integrity, doing the right thing, and helping others to our kids so we read them these stories. The moral content is good where the kids treat others well and always figure out the crime. In these books, crime does not pay and the bad guy never gets away. Once again in this book, The Garden Thief, they stop the perpetrator and save the day. I think we all love stories where the good guys always win! I have enjoyed these books for years and will continue to enjoy them in the future. These are the characteristics, values, and quality morals that we hope to pass on. The kids use their intelligence and ingenuity to save the day and solve the crime!