From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is the story of two suburban children, Claudia and James, run away from home. Claudia is almost twelve, she feels unappreciated and bored with her life. Jamie, her younger brother runs away because Claudia invited him. Claudia likes elegant things, so they run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They hide out in the bathrooms, sleep in antique beds, turn all their clothing gray at the Laundromat, learn about history as they explore the museum, have macaroni and cheese and coffee for breakfast, and take baths in the fountain. There is quite of bit of bickering and grammar correcting, but this sibling duo learns to cooperate with each other. They even come to appreciate the other for who they are.
When the museum gets a new statue of an angel, thought to be the work of the Michelangelo, Claudia and Jamie set out to solve the mystery.
Many of us remember From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler from our own childhoods. It won the Newbery Medal in 1967. I didn’t realize until recently that the book was republished along with a 35th anniversary afterword from the author, E. L. Konigsburg. The afterword addresses the changes to New York and to the museum, and the odd real life discovery of a cupid that was a lost work of Michelangelo.
As a child, I loved this story. I loved the quick thinking of the children, their careful planning, and the freedom they experienced. As a mother, I do cringe thinking about children on their own in New York City of all places. I don’t think the book really encourages children to run away, but you might want to address the real dangers with your own children.
I recently read From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler with my ten year olds. It’s on the Battle of the Books list for this year. They did not like the pen and ink illustrations, but were fascinated by the floor plan of the museum that is included in the book. And they really enjoyed the story. A few of the prices are very outdated, like being able to get a hot fudge sundae for forty cents. But instead of detracting from the story, it became part of the charm. This book really made them want to visit the museum.
This story is recommended for children ages nine to twelve.
Also See:
A Ring of Endless Light – Madeleine L’Engle
Pictures of Hollis Woods – Patricia Reilly Giff