From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. By E.L. Konigsburg. Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 1967. 162 pages.

Plot: Claudia Kincaid wants to run away from home…temporarily.  So with her trusted ally, Jamie (her younger brother), the two set off for New York City.  The adventurous duo choose the Metropolitan Museum of Art as their “place of residence”…but, of course, it must all be done in stealth.  Through careful planning and quick-thinking, the two manage to create a living space in the  museum for themselves and navigate the city as well.  Adventure soon turns into mystery as Claudia and Jamie begin to investigate a beautiful statue, “Angel”, that is attracting much attention at the museum.  Was it created by Michelangelo?  The young siblings begin their own investigation into “Angel” and find themselves in the midst of intrigue.  Soon their adventure will connect them to the enigmatic Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and her role in Angel’s mystery.  All will be solved in the end and an interesting “full-circle” conclusion will draw all to a close.

Review/Personal thoughts:  This is an entertaining read for tweens.  As the story navigates through the intricate and many rooms of the museum, it also enters into the spirits of our two main characters.  Konigsburg shares in the afterword that “ ‘Angel’ became part of Claudia’s story about finding herself, about how the greatest adventure lies not in running away but in looking inside, and the greatest discovery is not in finding out who made a statue but in finding out what makes you.”  This, to me, speaks to the desire by tweens to find their place in the universe, to make a mark, to name how they make a difference.  Claudia wants to run away so she can return home different, having made an impact somehow.  She even shares with her brother that  “I didn’t run away to come home the same.”  While this story is certainly about adventure, mystery, intrigue and the rollercoaster ride of youth, it also finds in its layers the power of familial bonds, the curiosity for knowledge and truth, the desire for individuality and the hope for making a difference.  At its core is an understanding that, like “Angel”, everyone is  special. 

Genre: Fiction

Reading Level: 5.2  Interest level: Ages 8 to 13

Awards:  Newbery Medal/Honor 1968