Patricia MacLachlan has written a prequel to the Boxcar Children mysteries to provide an explanation of how Henry, Jessie,Violet, and Benny began their adventures.  The style and gentle tone of the story behind the four children living on their own flows well with the other Boxcar children stories by Gertrude Chandler Warner.  Taking place on their farm during the Great Depression, Mr. and Mrs. Alden provide a home for the Clark family who’s car has broken down during a blizzard.  The families develop fond friendships and everyone is sad when the Clarks continue their journey in the summer.  Shortly afterward, a catastrophe sends the Alden children on the beginning of their adventures.  The personalities of each child comes through along with the love and support the four children have for each other.  Robert Dunn’s soft pencil illustrations complement this new addition to the series.  Resources used by MacLachlan, acknowledgements, and internet sites are found in the back of the book.  Boxcar Children fans will appreciate having a probable beginning to all the mysteries and adventures of the Alden children.