Grades 3-5

The Alden children are back, this time for a stay at the Winding River Lodge. Grandfather has dropped them off to enjoy the natural beauty and help owner Maude Hansen around the lodge. While they are there, Maude's grandson Jake tells the story of the Winding River Zombie, who is said to inhabit the woods around them. Mysterious noises and lights in the night make even the older children reconsider their statement to Benny that there is no such thing as zombies, especially when they see a strange figure lurching through the woods. With the help of Violet's camera and a few clues, the siblings work together to uncover the mystery surrounding Winding River. This is a solid addition to the series, and the font size, vocabulary, and occasional illustrations will make it popular with both younger students and older reluctant readers. ( )

Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny are faced with yet another mystery; there are rumors of a zombie at the Winding River Lodge. Benny keeps seeing a light in the forest late at night and he even sees the zombie while fishing. Something is going on at the Lodge and its up to the Boxcar Children to find out what. Throughout the novel the older children are very nice to Benny, even when they don't believe him about the zombie. They always work together and never fought in the entire book. Its clear that these children love each other and want to help the people around them. The mystery will have you guessing until the end if there is really a zombie at the lodge. Recommended for ages 7-9.

The Boxcar kids are back. This time there are zombies lurking in the woods at the Winding River Lodge. When Madison shows up part of her vacation from the Greenfield Gazette will be spent finding a story for her blog Hauntings. She decides to study up on the local folklore on Zombies. Benny wanted to know all about the zombie legend. While Benny and the gang help Maude clear the old trail to the fishing lodge, Benny thinks he see's a zombie behind the lodge. The story the kids heard sitting by the campfire was chilling. A dead body was found in the forest by the river. It was a hermit. When he is spotted walking abnormally before dawn the legend begins. Benny and the gang make it their mission to solve the mystery of the zombie. Kids will have a great time reading along and searching for clues along with the boxcar gang. This addition to the Boxcar Children series is a quick and easy read for all young readers. ( )