“From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil W. Frankweiler,” by E.L. Konigsburg
Atheneum, New York, 1967, 162 pages, reading level: grades 4-5, comprehension and understanding level grade 7 and above.
Occasionally, children dream of running away from home on an adventure. This whole idea gives them the opportunity to think of some exotic world where they can explore new ideas and be the stars of the story. It allows children to face challenges they do not encounter in their daily lives and make personal decisions that cannot ordinarily occur.
To a certain extent, these fantasies serve as a “Robinson Crusoe” escape for children. E. L. Konigsburg has created one of the all-time favorite stories about this type of adventure in her enduring and loved novel, “From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.”
Bored with her ordinary life, 11-year-old Claudia Kincaid longs to experience something extraordinary. Claudia wants an adventure that is free of her family restraint but not too dangerous. With planning being her strong suit, Claudia carefully develops an idea. She will sneak away from her comfortable, suburban life in Connecticut and hide out in New York City.
But of course she doesn’t want anything unpleasant to happen on this escapade so she decides that the Metropolitan Museum of Art would be an ideal place to hide out. There are beautiful paintings and pieces of furniture in the Museum, which would surround her with a pleasant experience.
The problem is that Claudia doesn’t know how to quit spending her allowance, so she has no money. Because of this she recruits her 9- year-old brother James for the adventure. James tends to be impulsive, but he knows how to manage money, as he regularly saves all of his allowance. Additionally, James is good at cheating at cards and winning more money.
Because of his wealth – $24.43, most of which is in nickels and pennies – Claudia chooses him as her partner. The two children hide away on a school bus and later take a train to Grand Central Station in New York.
James insists that they do not have enough money to take a taxi, which is Claudia’s preference, so they trudge the 40 blocks to the museum. Inside the vast building, they begin dodging the security police and finding a place to hide in the museum. But something quickly catches their attention. There is a beautiful statue of an angel in the museum. The statue has no sculptor’s name attached to it. Claudia believes that she can prove the statue was carved by Michelangelo. With this new purpose, the running away from home turns from an adventure to a mission to authenticate an invaluable Renaissance statue. What happens?
Do the children find the clues to the sculptor of the angel? Do they return home? What do they discover about the effects of their actions on their family? Who is Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and the mysterious Mr. Saxonberg? To find out, go to the library and check out one of the most delightful novels ever written in children’s literature.
The humor in this book is much higher than the reading level. The children stretch the truth at times but one Sunday also ask for forgiveness in a Museum room filled with stained glass, which reminds them of church. This book is an ideal read for reflective children trying to work out some of life’s complexities in a secure, delightful setting.
I hope you get a chance to encourage middle school and older students to read this 1968 Newbery Award winning novel. Adults will also laugh at the hysterical comments James makes to his sister and to Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler at the end of the book. It is well worth the trip to the library. Enjoy!
