Because they do not want to be separated, four orphaned children run away and live in an old abandoned boxcar

Gilda the giraffe. With no family, Lucky the leopard searches for someone to love and take care of her, and after several disastrous experiences, she makes a surprising choice.

Heading west aboard the Orphan Train, shy, plain Marianne soothes her fears over not being adopted by hoping that her mother will claim her along the way, but no one seems to want her until she reaches the end of the line, a town called Somewhere

Helping Grandfather's friend, Mr. Yee, who has broken his arm and cannot tend a beloved vegetable plot, the Alden children begin investigating when they discover that vegetables have gone missing and that someone is vandalizing the garden.

Eccentric Aunt Jane needs help on her ranch so the Aldens, affectionately known as the boxcar children, get help from a private detective.

"Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny have a fun new job: fixing up an old castle! The spooky old place will be turned into a museum, but first the Aldens must figure out why so many odd things keep happening. Keys go missing, strange music comes from a deserted tower, and soon the Boxcar Children discover the castle has a amazing secret!" --p. [4] of cover.

The adventures of the four Alden children as they spend a summer vacation on their very own island, purchased by Grandfather's father years ago.

Mike Wood presents many strange happenings for the Alden children to solve when they spend the summer at Mystery Ranch.

While visiting Lake Lucille in the Adirondack Mountains, the Aldens hear stories about a monster in the lake and then encounter evidence that it may be real.