From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Konigsburg, E.L. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Antheneum Books for Young Readers, New York, 1967. 162 pages.  Tr. pbk. $6.99 ISBN 9780689711817

Plot Description:

Feeling ignored by her parents Claudia decides to run away in order to get their attention.  Caudia recruits her younger brother Jamie to tag along, in part because she get along with him best of all his brother and because unlike Claudia, Jamie is great at saving money.  With Jamie and his savings, $24, on board, Claudia proceeds to make plans for herself and Jamie.  Claudia and Jamie board the train in Connecticut and get off in New York City, where Claudia directs them to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, their home away from home.  Each evening Claudia and Jamie hide in the bathroom until the museum staff leave and each morning they hide there again until the museum opens.  While staying at the Met the children become caught up in the mystery of the museum’s latest acquisition, an angel sculpture that the museum believes is a lost piece by Michelangelo.  Claudia and Jamie set out to confirm the identity of the sculpture’s creator, wherever it might take them.

Review:

Jamie and Claudia are strangely independent for children so young.  I was surprised that they decided to run away to New York City, somewhere so far from home, but I was impressed at how well they managed on their own.  I did sympathize with their parents, who are not actually in the story, but who must have been frantic that two of their children were missing for a week!  At times the dialogue between Jamie and Claudia seems a little unbelievable for a nine and twelve year old, despite that Konigsburg’s From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is a clever mystery revolving around a lost piece of art. 

Genre:

Realistic Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Level

Grades 4-7

Similar Books:

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Awards/Honors:

Newberry Award 1968