HIDDEN IN THE HAUNTED SCHOOL
For years there have been spooky rumors about the old abandoned school in Silver City. Now it’s being fixed up as an art center and the Aldens have volunteered to help clean it up! But one of the classroom doors seems to mysteriously lock by itself, and ghostly messages appear on the chalkboards! Can the Boxcar Children uncover the truth about the haunted school?
ALBERT WHITMAN & COMPANY
Publishing award-winning children’s books since 1919
www.albertwhitman.com
Cover art by Anthony VanArsdale
Printed in the United States of America
The Boxcar Children Mysteries
THE BOXCAR CHILDREN
SURPRISE ISLAND
THE YELLOW HOUSE MYSTERY
MYSTERY RANCH
MIKE’S MYSTERY
BLUE BAY MYSTERY
THE WOODSHED MYSTERY
THE LIGHTHOUSE MYSTERY
MOUNTAIN TOP MYSTERY
SCHOOLHOUSE MYSTERY
CABOOSE MYSTERY
HOUSEBOAT MYSTERY
SNOWBOUND MYSTERY
TREE HOUSE MYSTERY
BICYCLE MYSTERY
MYSTERY IN THE SAND
MYSTERY BEHIND THE WALL
BUS STATION MYSTERY
BENNY UNCOVERS A MYSTERY
THE HAUNTED CABIN MYSTERY
THE DESERTED LIBRARY MYSTERY
THE ANIMAL SHELTER MYSTERY
THE OLD MOTEL MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE HIDDEN PAINTING
THE AMUSEMENT PARK MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE MIXED-UP ZOO
THE CAMP-OUT MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY GIRL
THE MYSTERY CRUISE
THE DISAPPEARING FRIEND MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE SINGING GHOST
THE MYSTERY IN THE SNOW
THE PIZZA MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY HORSE
THE MYSTERY AT THE DOG SHOW
THE CASTLE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE LOST VILLAGE
THE MYSTERY ON THE ICE
THE MYSTERY OF THE PURPLE POOL
THE GHOST SHIP MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY IN WASHINGTON, DC
THE CANOE TRIP MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE HIDDEN BEACH
THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING CAT
THE MYSTERY AT SNOWFLAKE INN
THE MYSTERY ON STAGE
THE DINOSAUR MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN MUSIC
THE MYSTERY AT THE BALL PARK
THE CHOCOLATE SUNDAE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE HOT AIR BALLOON
THE MYSTERY BOOKSTORE
THE PILGRIM VILLAGE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN BOXCAR
THE MYSTERY IN THE CAVE
THE MYSTERY ON THE TRAIN
THE MYSTERY AT THE FAIR
THE MYSTERY OF THE LOST MINE
THE GUIDE DOG MYSTERY
THE HURRICANE MYSTERY
THE PET SHOP MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE SECRET MESSAGE
THE FIREHOUSE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY IN SAN FRANCISCO
THE NIAGARA FALLS MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY AT THE ALAMO
THE OUTER SPACE MYSTERY
THE SOCCER MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY IN THE OLD ATTIC
THE GROWLING BEAR MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE LAKE MONSTER
THE MYSTERY AT PEACOCK HALL
THE WINDY CITY MYSTERY
THE BLACK PEARL MYSTERY
THE CEREAL BOX MYSTERY
THE PANTHER MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE QUEEN’S JEWELS
THE STOLEN SWORD MYSTERY
THE BASKETBALL MYSTERY
THE MOVIE STAR MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE PIRATE’S MAP
THE GHOST TOWN MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE BLACK RAVEN
THE MYSTERY IN THE MALL
THE MYSTERY IN NEW YORK
THE GYMNASTICS MYSTERY
THE POISON FROG MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE EMPTY SAFE
THE HOME RUN MYSTERY
THE GREAT BICYCLE RACE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE WILD PONIES
THE MYSTERY IN THE COMPUTER GAME
THE HONEYBEE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY AT THE CROOKED HOUSE
THE HOCKEY MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE MIDNIGHT DOG
THE MYSTERY OF THE SCREECH OWL
THE SUMMER CAMP MYSTERY
THE COPYCAT MYSTERY
THE HAUNTED CLOCK TOWER MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE TIGER’S EYE
THE DISAPPEARING STAIRCASE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY ON BLIZZARD MOUNTAIN
THE MYSTERY OF THE SPIDER’S CLUE
THE CANDY FACTORY MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE MUMMY’S CURSE
THE MYSTERY OF THE STAR RUBY
THE STUFFED BEAR MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF ALLIGATOR SWAMP
THE MYSTERY AT SKELETON POINT
THE TATTLETALE MYSTERY
THE COMIC BOOK MYSTERY
THE GREAT SHARK MYSTERY
THE ICE CREAM MYSTERY
THE MIDNIGHT MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY IN THE FORTUNE COOKIE
THE BLACK WIDOW SPIDER MYSTERY
THE RADIO MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE RUNAWAY GHOST
THE FINDERS KEEPERS MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE HAUNTED BOXCAR
THE CLUE IN THE CORN MAZE
THE GHOST OF THE CHATTERING BONES
THE SWORD OF THE SILVER KNIGHT
THE GAME STORE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE ORPHAN TRAIN
THE VANISHING PASSENGER
THE GIANT YO-YO MYSTERY
THE CREATURE IN OGOPOGO LAKE
THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL MYSTERY
THE SECRET OF THE MASK
THE SEATTLE PUZZLE
THE GHOST IN THE FIRST ROW
THE BOX THAT WATCH FOUND
A HORSE NAMED DRAGON
THE GREAT DETECTIVE RACE
THE GHOST AT THE DRIVE-IN MOVIE
THE MYSTERY OF THE TRAVELING TOMATOES
THE SPY GAME
THE DOG-GONE MYSTERY
THE VAMPIRE MYSTERY
SUPERSTAR WATCH
THE SPY IN THE BLEACHERS
THE AMAZING MYSTERY SHOW
THE PUMPKIN HEAD MYSTERY
THE CUPCAKE CAPER
THE CLUE IN THE RECYCLING BIN
MONKEY TROUBLE
THE ZOMBIE PROJECT
THE GREAT TURKEY HEIST
THE GARDEN THIEF
THE BOARDWALK MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE FALLEN TREASURE
THE RETURN OF THE GRAVEYARD GHOST
THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN SNOWBOARD
THE MYSTERY OF THE WILD WEST BANDIT
THE MYSTERY OF THE GRINNING GARGOYLE
THE MYSTERY OF THE SOCCER SNITCH
THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING POP IDOL
THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN DINOSAUR BONES
THE MYSTERY AT THE CALGARY STAMPEDE
THE SLEEPY HOLLOW MYSTERY
THE LEGEND OF THE IRISH CASTLE
THE CELEBRITY CAT CAPER
HIDDEN IN THE HAUNTED SCHOOL
THE ELECTION DAY DILEMMA
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication
data is on file with the publisher.
Copyright © 2016 by Albert Whitman & Company
Published in 2016 by Albert Whitman & Company
ISBN 978-0-8075-0718-6 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-8075-0719-3 (paperback)
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transm
itted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 LB 20 19 18 17 16
THE BOXCAR CHILDREN® is a registered
trademark of Albert Whitman & Company.
Illustrated by Anthony VanArsdale
For more information about Albert Whitman & Company,
visit our web site at www.albertwhitman.com.
Contents
1. Ghost Stories
2. The Old Becomes New
3. An Important Lesson
4. The Locked Door
5. A Mysterious Warning
6. Unusual Business
7. Behind the Curtain
8. An Unexpected Discovery
9. Unlocking the Past
10. A Grand Opening
CHAPTER 1
Ghost Stories
Crunch! Benny Alden took a big bite out of his crisp, red apple as he sat in the backseat of the family’s minivan. It was a late-fall Saturday, and he and his brother and sisters had helped their grandfather run errands in Silver City, the town next to Greenfield. They’d made a lot of stops, including at the farmers’ market. Benny, who was six years old and always hungry, was munching on his second apple, which he’d retrieved from one of the bags of fresh fruits and vegetables tucked near his seat. Now it was late afternoon, and the Aldens were headed home.
Twelve-year-old Jessie put her hand on the cool glass of the minivan’s window. She watched trees with red, orange, and yellow leaves whiz by. She thought the leaves looked even prettier than usual in the setting sun. Just then, she remembered the notebook in her backpack. She pulled it out and opened it to check the list of errands they’d made that day. She liked making lists and used her organizational skills to help her family.
“You’re right!” her grandfather replied. He clicked on the turn signal and turned the van down a side street. “It’s a bit out of the way, but I think I know a shortcut to the cleaners.”
Benny looked around the minivan.
“I don’t think we have room for one more thing,” he said. “It’s crowded in here!” He was sitting next to Violet, his ten-year-old sister, who was busy doodling with her favorite purple pen in her sketch pad. They were surrounded by bags and boxes holding everything the Aldens had bought or picked up on their errands.
“We’ll make room,” Henry told his little brother. At fourteen, Henry was the oldest of the Alden children. He sat in the front seat, tinkering with the radio. “Watch can sit on your lap!”
Watch, the Aldens’ terrier, replied with a small yap—as if he knew everyone was talking about him. They all laughed as the dog jumped into Benny’s lap and curled into a ball.
A few miles and a couple of turns later, the minivan drove down a narrow road that ran along the edge of town. The street was very quiet. The children didn’t see any other cars, just rows and rows of trees in the woods on either side of them.
“What’s that?” Benny asked, pointing out his window. The Alden children turned to see an old brick building surrounded by a black iron fence. The fence had spiked posts, and overgrown vines hung from the roof. Henry looked beyond the locked gate to read the letters carved into the stone above the entrance.
“Hawthorne School,” he said. “I’ve heard stories about it.”
The dark shadows behind the school’s broken windows made Violet shiver in her seat.
A few minutes later, Grandfather drove the minivan into the lot of Silver City Plaza, a shopping center with half a dozen stores. The spots in front of the dry cleaning shop were full, so he parked in front of Weaver’s Flower Shop.
“I’ll be right back,” he told his grandchildren.
Grandfather had been gone only a moment when Benny spoke up. “Tell us about Hawthorne School,” he said to his brother. “It looks spooky.”
“Do you mean Haunted School?” Henry asked. “That’s what they call it.”
“Why?” Violet asked. Although she certainly thought the school looked haunted.
“Well, it’s been abandoned since the 1950s,” Henry said. “The gates haven’t been opened since the day it closed.”
“That doesn’t make it haunted,” Violet pointed out.
“Of course not,” Jessie agreed. “But now that you mention it, wasn’t the ghost story we heard last weekend about this school?”
Last weekend, Grandfather had treated Henry, Jessie, and a few of their friends to a campfire. Violet and Benny had stayed in the house to watch a movie with Mrs. McGregor. As the group sat around the small fire pit, they roasted marshmallows and exchanged their scariest ghost stories. Jessie’s friend, Rose, had told everyone the tale of a haunted school—a school that she said was nearby. It had to be Hawthorne School.
Henry nodded. “I remember. The story says the ghost of the former principal still walks the halls of the school.”
“A ghost?” Benny asked.
“That’s right,” Jessie said, recalling the story. “She was fired from her job because a teacher reported that she was stealing money from the school. After weeks of insisting she didn’t do it, the principal was still told to leave. As she walked out of the building, she put a curse on the school!”
“The money was later found,” Henry continued. “It turns out she didn’t steal it after all.”
“Did she get her job back?” Benny asked.
“No,” Jessie replied. “Nobody could find her after she was asked to leave. She seemed to just…vanish.”
“Now,” Henry added, “if you look through the old windows, you can see her walking back and forth through the halls. Or that’s what they say, at least.”
“Wow!” Benny exclaimed.
“A real ghost!” Violet said.
“We don’t really believe the story,” Henry said. “It’s probably just a local legend.”
The Alden children looked at one another, deep in thought. They heard the clicking sound of the door being unlocked and turned their attention back to Grandfather. He had returned from the dry cleaners with an armload of plastic-covered shirts.
“Look what I found,” he said, climbing into the minivan. He handed a yellow piece of paper to Jessie. “You might want to consider this for service work.”
Jessie read the paper. She smiled and handed it to Henry.
“Volunteers needed,” he read aloud. “Thanks, Grandfather!”
Henry and Jessie’s middle school required them to work ten hours of community service every year. In return, they received extra credit. They both enjoyed helping in the neighborhood and meeting new people, and they were looking for new places to volunteer.
“I was thinking about helping the teachers at Greenfield Day Care Center,” Jessie said as Grandfather started the car on the journey home. “They can always use an extra pair of hands.”
“And the Rec Center is looking for junior camp leaders,” Henry added. “Taking little kids on adventures would be fun!”
Benny looked out the window and into the woods as they drove past them again. He thought about his own exciting adventure.
Years ago, the children’s parents had died, leaving them without a home. They knew they had a grandfather but had never met him, and they had heard he was mean. So, when they thought they would be sent to live with him, they ran away into the woods. There they found an old boxcar, which they made their home. They found their dog, Watch, while they were living in the boxcar. When Grandfather finally discovered the children, they learned he was actually a very kind man. He loved them very much. They became a family, and Grandfather moved their boxcar into the backyard of their home in Greenfield so they could use it as a clubhouse.
“I wish I could help with the little kids,” Benny said. The Aldens lau
ghed, since Benny was not much older than the campers.
“It would be great to find a place where we could all work together,” Jessie added.
“Any other ideas?” Grandfather asked.
The Aldens were quiet for a moment as they tried to think of places where they could all volunteer as a family.
Suddenly Violet gasped. “Stop!” she cried. “Look!”
Grandfather pulled the car over to the side of the road.
“What’s the matter, Violet?” he asked.
They were sitting in front of Hawthorne School.
Violet pointed a shaky finger out the window.
“The door to the school is open!” she exclaimed. “It wasn’t before!”
The Aldens peered out to see that the iron gate of the old school was wide open. And so was the front door!
“I thought the school has been locked up since it closed,” Benny said.
“It has been,” Henry replied.
The siblings looked at the old school. The sun was setting behind the trees, casting a long shadow across the front of the building. In the darkness, the children could clearly see a flickering light in one of the upstairs windows.
“Is someone in there?” Violet asked. “Is this school really haunted?”
CHAPTER 2
The Old Becomes New
“Well, would you look at that,” Grandfather marveled. “Nobody’s been in that place for over fifty years. I wonder what’s happening.”
“Do you think it’s haunted?” Benny asked.
“I saw a light flickering!” Violet said.
“So did I,” Jessie added. “Look through the upstairs window!”
Through the window, everyone saw a dim flicker of light. Then, the school went dark again.
“Wait,” said Henry. “I think I know what’s going on.”
He unfolded the yellow piece of paper that Grandfather had given them. “I saw something on this flyer, and now it all makes sense.” He read the flyer over before reading it aloud.
“‘Volunteers needed,’” he began. “‘For a renovation project and cleanup at the new Hawthorne Art Center.’”
“That’s right,” Grandfather said, scratching his chin. “I remember reading something about this in the Greenfield Gazette. Silver City has been planning to fix up an old building for their art center. They must have picked the old Hawthorne School.”
“A community art center?” Violet asked. “I wonder what art programs they’ll offer.” She motioned for Jessie to hand her the flyer. “Art and dance classes,” she read aloud from the paper. “And, they will have a theater for plays and music recitals!”