The Box of Robbers by L. Frank Baum

Name: The Box of Robbers
Author: L. Frank Baum

This story follows a young boy who discovers a mysterious box that contains various objects and tools used by robbers. He learns how to use these items and becomes embroiled in a series of adventures involving crime and detection. The narrative explores themes of morality, justice, and the consequences of one's actions.

By L. Frank Baum · First published 1904 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure · 3,490 words

First lines

No one intended to leave Martha alone that afternoon, but it happened that everyone was called away, for one reason or another. Mrs. McFarland was attending the weekly card party held by the Women's Anti-Gambling League. Sister Nell's young man had called quite unexpectedly to take her for a long drive. Papa was at the office, as usual. It was Mary Ann's day out. As for Emeline, she certainly should have stayed in the house and looked after the little girl; but Emeline had a restless nature.

"Would you mind, miss, if I just crossed the alley to speak a word to Mrs. Carleton's girl? " she asked Martha.

What this Textopian page supports

The Box of Robbers is listed on Textopian as a short story by L. Frank Baum, dated 1904 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: L. Frank Baum
Date: 1904 CE
Language: English
Genres: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure, Comedy, Fiction
Length: 3,490 words
Structure: 1 section, 127 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Box of Robbers by L. Frank Baum
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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How does this short story by L. Frank Baum fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles

Genres

Children's Literature — The story is primarily aimed at a young audience, featuring a child protagonist and themes of curiosity and adventure.
Fantasy — The narrative includes fantastical elements such as bandits emerging from a mysterious chest, which is central to the plot.
Adventure — The plot revolves around the unexpected adventure of a girl interacting with bandits and the ensuing chaos.
Comedy — The interactions between the child and the bandits, along with their humorous misunderstandings, contribute to a comedic tone.