Title: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Author: E. L. Konigsburg
Major Themes: Museums, Art, Michelangelo, New York City
Synopsis: When Claudia and her brother Jamie run away from home to live in the museum, they find a mystery they never imagined.
I knew before I started reading From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler that this would be a unique book. I have read a few books by E. L. Konigsburg before, and they were certainly unique! This one was no exception.
Claudia was not happy at home. She decided she wanted to run away, but being a comfort-loving girl, she thought carefully about how and where she would go. She finally hit on the perfect location: the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. She needed a companion, and more money, so she roped her brother Jamie into running away with her. They successfully reached the museum, and figured out how to get into it and stay at night. The bed they chose was, indeed, comfortable, and there was plenty of space! They could learn a lot, too. One thing they learned turned out to be a mystery that needed to be solved. Could they find the solution to this mystery before they were found and taken home?
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is a fun story! It’s quite easy to imagine this scenario playing out in real life, but at the same time, it’s outrageously imaginative. I really enjoyed reading it (got to keep a little ahead of the children!) and I’m looking forward to seeing what my 12-year-old says when he reads this modern classic.
WARNING: Chapter 1: Gosh
Age levels:
Listening Level—Ages 8 – 12, Family Friendly
Reading Independently—Ages 8 – 12, 10 – 12, 12 – 15
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