So spoilers for a children's mystery novel series from like (holy shit I just looked this up and the first book is from the 1920s with the sequals spanning from 1948-1996s)
What's my point?
My point in it's entirety is it is strange how the Box car kids started out as a decent stand alone novel about 4 orphans who decided to run away rather than live with this evil grandfather. The first book is all about the children figuring things out and trying to hide, only to end with the evil grandfather being a good loving guy who they all agree to live with.
A normal novel by all means, and seemingly meant to be a stand alone (might explain the 20 year gap between book 1 and book 2).
Then the sequels are all pseudo mystery novels where the kids are working together to solve problems.
It's a totally different series, just with the pre-established characters. And if you were anything like me growing up, you never questioned the huge tonal shift. The box car Children series is just the Box car children's series. Ignore the fact that the box car is totally irrelevant past book 1.
by MylastAccountBroke