Surprise Island is by Gertrude Chandler Warner. It is the second book in The Boxcar Children Series popular with young children (ages:6-8). The early chapter books are about the adventures of the Alden children: Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny.

In Surprise Island, the four young Aldens spend summer vacation on the family’s private island. Their only adult companions on the island are Captain Daniel and the mysterious Joe.

As with every book in The Boxcar Children Series there is a mystery and this one does not disappoint the young reader. Who is Joe? His title is handyman. This handyman is very knowledgeable about Native American artifacts. How does a man who claims to be a mere handyman know so much? Why does he hide when Grandfather visits the island?

Surprise Island continues to reveal how resourceful are the children. They are not afraid of hard work. Therefore, they gather food from the garden and the surrounding sea. The siblings provide their own entertainment. Their only dependence is the basic food ferried by boat from the mainland by the Captain.

Ms. Warner had some ideas that went unused in the first book, The Boxcar Children, and now she shares them with readers. Surprise Island is for children who enjoy the active and independent lifestyle of the Alden children.



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