I know I read some Bobbsey Twins books as a child, but the stories stick with me as, for example, the Boxcar Children or Little House series. Reading this as an adult, I can see why. This story is best defined as saccharine and, like that chemical, is a sickly sweet that is toxic. Subliminal racism, sexism, classism, and materialism are rampant.
While Dinah's race is never mentioned, it is obvious in the illustrations. As a servant it is just assumed that she'd be going on an extended trip, leaving her husband & any family (never mentioned) behind. When a twin knocks her over or contradicts her statement, she has to respond with a grin and 'never mind honey child'. Freddie's distress over a broken toy boat is solved by promising to buy him a new one. The children pretend to be 'wild Indians' and give war whoops.
The girls & women take care of the housekeeping and cooking while the males learn how to sail the boat and work a ham radio. Flossie mainly cares about her dolls and Freddie practices being a fireman. Their cousin Dorothy is the only female who shows any spunk, and is admired for diving to rescue the inflatable boat.
Mr Bobbsey is rich enough to buy a houseboat on a whim, and throws his weight around like he is in charge of everybody's business. Even so it is not enough in the confrontation with Mr Hardman, so another professional magically appears to really cower the man. And how does the banker think Mr Hardman is going to hire another worker when he can't even pay his mortgage? I get the impression the farmer will have a local reputation for not being a good place to work. ( )

The Bobbsey Twins and their cousins have a summer vacation on a houseboat and discover a stowaway on board.

3.5 stars

The Bobbseys have two set of twins. Bert and Nan are 9-years old and Flossie and Freddie are 5. When they find out their father has bought a houseboat, they are excited to go on a trip! Shortly before they leave, they meet Will, a boy who works for a farmer a little ways away.

This was cute and fun! (And quick, at less than 100 pages.) I'm sure I read a book or two about the Bobbsey twins when I was younger; I believe my grandma had one or two books. There is a situation in the book that makes it a little more interesting beyond the day-to-day playing the twins do on land and on the houseboat. It's amazing that this book was written 100 years ago this year. I think this series (or at least this book, and likely the series) really holds up to the test of time. ( )

AR reading level: 5.0