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

By E. L. Konigsburg

1968 (068985322X

Unlike the stories of the usual run aways that newspaper readers are informed of and that cause much vicarious worrying, Claudia Kincaid is a very much prepared eleven year old girl.  Before setting out to absent herself from her family, the family that Claudia views as taking her for granted as well as placing too demands on her, Claudia pinpoints the exact place to which she wishes to run.  Yes, the place to run to is even more important inasmuch as we learn from the beginning that Claudia is not one to welcome discomfort or cold or hunger.  That is how Claudia decided on running to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City where one can live in comfort if one is careful not to be discovered by the museum personnel.

As soon as Claudia begins to make her plans she realizes that being short of savings, not being one to put off spending on treats, and she must find someone with a bankroll, so to speak.  That is how Claudia decided to bring her brother, Jamie, who never spent any of the loot he has ever acquired.  Jamie is flattered by being let into this plot and agrees to join her.

With all the intrigue that Claudia and Jamie must involve themselves in while secreting themselves from the security personnel and also attempting to solve a mystery about one of the museum statues this story has so much to hold the interest of readers.  Readers of this book have ranged from ages of nine and on up.  When these readers are quizzed years later, they tend to sigh with pleasure and agree that this is one of the greatest books ever.  No wonder that it won the Newbery Award in 1968.