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From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (Paperback) (Paperback)
by E.L. Konigsburg
| Category:
Adventure, Story, Award-winning books, Teens |
| Market price: ¥ 98.00
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¥ 88.00
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Detail |
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Description |
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Author: E.L. Konigsburg
Publisher: Aladdin
Pub. in: April, 1998
ISBN: 0689711816
Pages: 168
Measurements: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
Origin of product: USA
Order code: BC00120
Other information: Reissue edition
ISBN-13: 978-0689711817
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- Awards & Credential -
The winner of the Newbery Medal |
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- MSL Picks -
Do you like mysteries of adventure books? Well, if you do then you'll love this book, From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Written and illustrated by E. L. Konigsburg.
This book is about a young girl and her younger brother who run away. They decide to run away so that when they finally do return they will be much more appreciated by their family. They end up living in the Metropolitan Museum, in New York City. While living in the museum they start to unravel the mystery behind a statue in the museum, which they refer to as "Angel".
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is a book for children mostly ages 10 thru 14. That age group would enjoy this book the most because kids at this age can relate to how the characters are feeling in some of their situations. This book is also relatively easy to read and comprehend.
As you read this book, you will begin to notice it is written as a continuous letter. Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler writes the letter. Reading this book in letterform makes it a "quick read". It is considered a "quick read" because; there is not as much dialog, so that way you will not get confused very easily. Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is acting like a narrator so it is simple to understand and see what is going on.
So... to all of you mysterious and adventurous, early teen readers out there, this is the perfect book for you, From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.
Target readers:
Kids aged up 8
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E. L. Konigsburg is the only author to have won the Newbery Medal and been runner-up in the same year. In 1968, From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler won the medal and Jennifer, Hecate, MacBeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth, was named Honor Book. Almost thirty years later she won the Newbery Medal once again for The View from Saturday. She has also written and illustrated three picture books: Samuel Todd's Book of Great Colors, Samuel Todd's Book of Great Inventions, and Amy Elizabeth Explores Bloomingdale's.
After completing her degree at Carnegie Mellon University, Mrs. Konigsburg did graduate work at the University of Pittsburgh. For several years she taught science at a private girls' school. When the third of her three children started kindergarten, she began to write. She lives on the beach in North Florida.
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When Claudia decided to run away, she planned very carefully she would be gone just long enough to teach her parents a lesson in Claudia appreciation. And she would live in comfort-at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She invited her brother Jamie to go, too, mostly because he was a miser and would have money.
The two took up residence in the museum right on schedule. But once the fun of settling in was over, Claudia had two unexpected problems: She felt just the same, and she wanted to feel different; and she found a statue at the museum so beautiful she could not go home until she had discovered its maker, a question that baffled even the experts. The former owner of the statue was Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and without her help Claudia might never have found a way to go home.
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| View all 5 comments |
Irene Adler (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
My childhood unfortunately is a long way behind me, yet this book remains with me. I don't know exactly how old I was when I read it, but it is the only children's book that I haven't forgotten.
I spent most of my young adult years remembering the details of the book without remembering either the title or how it ended. I remembered the clandestine stowing away in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and fishing in the fountain for money. It was only years later when I was searching for books for a young relative that I ran across this title and the cover art that brought it all back.
Of course, I couldn't pass up the chance to pass on this book. However, before I passed it on, I read it from front to back. Even though I am far from the targeted age for this book, I found it beautiful and captivating.
I recommend this book for children of all ages. I think it captures the essence of being a child. Even though I can't pinpoint the exact mastery of words or page-turning quality that this book obviously possesses, I am constantly reminded that in some way this book made an impact on me.
If you are thinking about purchasing a book for a child of any age, I would recommend this one. It made an impression on me, and my only hope is that it will have the opportunity to do the same to many more children. |
Sesquipedalian (MSL quote), Seattle, USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
I read From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler when I was in middle school, and the plot has remained in my mind throughout all of the years. After all, when I was a twelve-year-old, there was nothing that sounded more magical, and yet practical, than running away with my brother to the largest art museum in America! Some elements of their transition to life alone are reminiscent of the "survival in the wilderness" genre of children's literature, although this book is so much more sophisticated. The details of the children's new lifestyle is far more humorous and intriguing than other kid's survival stories. After reading this book, I wished that I lived closer to New York and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The first time I entered the Met, I got the chills, as I entered the setting of one of my favorite books from years before. I ran to look for the fountain where Claudia and James bathed (and found a clever solution to their shrinking budget). I searched for the statue called "Angel," the statue that Claudia and James tried to trace in a plotline which tales the book to its conclusion. Although I never found "Angel," I wished more than anything that I could find a way to camp out in the museum!
My only criticism of this book is that it ran out of steam before the ending. Claudia and James's adjustment to life in the museum is far more interesting than the adventure with the statue and Mrs. Basil Frankweiler. That aside, the premise of the plot, the clever characters, and the adorable illustrations (by Konigsberg herself) make this book extremely memorable. It's even educational, although I hardly noticed because I was having so much fun when I read it.
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Amanda Richards (MSL quote), Georgetown, Guyana
<2007-01-04 00:00>
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.
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A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
Claudia feels underappreciated in her suburban household - a thing all children have most likely felt during at least one time or another. Here, Konigsburgs writes of these feelings with brutal honesty and frankness. Because Claudia is not an only child, it almost seems as if to her, and to readers, that there isn't enough love and attention to go around. Unjustly so, the poor girl frequently gets caught up in chore after chore while her siblings are off the hook.
So she will run away and teach them all a lesson in "Claudia appreciation." The Metropolitan Musuem of Art will become her grandiose and excitingly fantastic home away from home, so to speak. And younger brother Jamie will accompany her, mainly because he has saved every single penny since birth and will have money, just what Claudia needs. Yet to say she's using her younger bro merely for financial purposes would be unjust. I believe Claudia truly wants and needs the companionship.
The highlight of their one-week vacation is a mysterious and ethereal statue of an angel, titled as such. It is oh-so mysterious because everyone is unsure of the statue's creator. Some believe it to be the renown Michelangelo - but it has yet to be confirmed and 12 year-old Claudia is incessantly in awe of thee angel's beauty. She knows she cannot go home until she uncovers the secret of the statue and that will mean having to get in contact with a total stranger, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, who is the statue's previous owner. And if she refuses to help Claudia solve the mystery on her mind, she and Jamie may never get home.
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, first published in 1967, has been capturing the attention of children everywhere. Konigsburg has skillfully woven a loveable masterpiece that seems magical, almost too wonderful to be realistic. Yet it is. Claudia feels what so many of society's children today feel. And like many children, she keeps her feelings to herself and deals with pent up frustrations the only way she knows how, hence her escape to The Metropolitan.
I first read this novel when I was 9. I found myself relating to feeling less love from seemingly uncaring parents, due to having a sister who had no responsibilities and extra TLC because of her young age. I found myself envious of Claudia's grand escape to the musuem and I contemplated a night away from home spent at The Philadelphia Musuem of Art. That, of course, never happened. In retrospect, I realize how wild of an imagination I had. My mind was constantly roaming. Children today are just as creative - or they can be - which is why they'll much enjoy this book. Despite now being seven years older, I still frequently pick it up off my bookshelf, worn and dog-eared, to read it again and again.
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