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

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Summary: How to survive in NY on a limited budget & get smarter too
Review: Claudia Kincaid is almost twelve, a straight "A" student, only girl and eldest child of four, who decides to run away to somewhere beautiful, comfortable, and preferably indoors.

Claudia is in fact rebelling against the monotony of her life, unfair distribution of labor, limited television choices and low allowance.

Ever the organizer, she carefully formulates a master plan to escape to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and enlists her middle brother Jamie to join her. Of course, there are very practical reasons that Jamie was the chosen one, and after Claudia tears down his defenses, he becomes a willing accomplice.

The story tells of their grand adventure, and how they were able to survive undetected inside the Met for a whole week. While there, they take the opportunity to learn new things, and become captivated by the newest exhibit, a marble angel that may just be a genuine Michelangelo sculpture.

There and then, Claudia resolves to solve the mystery before returning home, but unfortunately, finances are running low and time is running out for the fugitives.

Through dogged determination, they use the last of their resources to locate the former owner of the angel, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the lady of the title and narrator of the story. After winning the good lady's favorable consideration, they negotiate a deal with her, the outcome of which decides the success or failure of their adventure.

A charming story, with a little educational material sneakily tucked between the paragraphs. A good book for children with enquiring minds, and a useful tool when planning your next family or school trip to the Met.

Amanda Richards, January 13, 2005

Rating:
Summary: A great book to read anytime and anywhere
Review: THis is Konigsburg's Newbery Medal story of self-discovery as two siblings, Claudia and Jamie, run away from home and find themselves caught up in an art museum mystery. As they investigate the origins of the amazing statue believed to have been the work of Michelangelo, they discover the truth. A wealthy antiques collector, Mrs. Frankweiler, once owned the statue and will tell them its secrets if they will let her bring them back home.

Claudia planned the whole escape from home. SHe felt unhappy with the way her parents ignored her, and she wanted to find some purpose in her life. THrough Konigsburg's characterization of Claudia, we find that she is cautious and thorough, but ambitious and brilliant. Children can identify with Claudia in her struggles to find her place in the family. THey can imagine themselves running away, and the adventures they could discover. Ultimately, the only happiness in life comes from within, as children will discover from reading this book.

Rating:
Summary: Read this book
Review: I suspect that if you missed reading "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" as a child you have, in a sense, missed the boat. People who read this book as kids have a near psychotic attachment to it. They'll buy you multiple copies and gleefully describe to you the delight they felt at the idea of running away and living in a museum of art. The book's influence has stretched to the point where scenes from it have appeared in such popular films as "The Royal Tenenbaums". Pity me, then, since the first time I read this book when I was roughly 20 years of age. I read it, digested it, and came to the somewhat sour conclusion that it was a fine book but hardly worth the attention it's received. Fast forward some six odd years. I've just reread the book (again, as an adult). I've a little more experience reading and reviewing children's literature, especially Newbery winners like this l'il number. I read it. I digested it. And I came to the slightly less sour conclusion that while this book was enjoyable and loved widely by children everywhere, it's definitely not Konigsburg's best by a long shot. "The View From Saturday" is her best. "From the Mixed-Up Files" is just a nice gimmicky book that is vastly appealing to children but not written particularly well or badly. It's fine, but that's all it is. Fine.

Claudia is deeply disappointed with her life. Every day she goes about as the same old Claudia in the same old routine. Convincing herself that the only recourse left to her is to run away from home, Claudia enlists the aid of her younger brother Jamie. With Jamie in charge of all monetary concerns and Claudia heading the planning, the two set off on an adventure. And where do all good suburban kids run away to when they live a short distance from New York City? Why to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, of course! While there the two live on their own, spending their money wisely. It's not long before they find that their stay has coincided with the arrival of a mysterious statue that may or may not have been sculpted by Michelangelo. Together, Claudia and Jamie set off to discover the secret of the statue. A secret that may well live in the files of the mysterious Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

Reading the book again, I have to admit I was a little more impressed with it than I expected to be. Konigsburg certainly does cover her bases when it comes to plausible hiding out. The kids think of everything possible when it comes to living on their own, including where to take baths and how to save their pennies. You begin to really believe that a story of this nature could occur. Unfortunately (and Konigsburg is, admittedly, guilty of this crime in more than one of her books) they don't really act their ages very well. Jamie in particular seems blessed with a vocabulary well beyond his years. This results in him saying phrases like, "Claudia, dear, I'm no angel. Statue or otherwise". I've yet to hear a nine year old of my own acquaintance casually use the word "otherwise" in conversation.

The book's definitely a bit of a historical piece of work too. The kids are constantly eating at automats (a place that most children will need some kind of explanation of). The prices that they pay for things are almost ludicrously low and there are references to items of clothing like petticoats. Otherwise, the book could have been written today. Even as I write this I find that I'm growing a little fonder of it. There have been far more recent children's books that have tried to latch onto the feelings inspired by "From the Mixed-Up Files". I'm thinking, of course, of Blue Balliett's less successful (writing-wise), "Chasing Vermeer". But nothing really compares with the original. Though I'd be the first to say that "From the Mixed-Up Files" is not really the best book ever written, it's still a fun one for kids that's filled with excellent information on Michelangelo. Consider it recommended with some reservations.


Rating:
Summary: Right up there in my Top Ten Kid's Books...
Review: ...of all time (at at least all MY time). Not sure how many times I've read this one, but I just revisited it. After reading Chasing Vermeer, and reading reviews that compared it to the Konigsburg classic (and deciding that those reviews were a little too TOO complimentary), I bought Frankweiler (probably my fifth or sixth copy over the years) to refresh my memory. It's a classic. Smartly written. Funny. Makes you want to be right there with Claudia and Jamie.