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

Reader reviewed by Jinxie

From the Mixed Up Files and Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is the story of an 11 year old girl who decides to run away from home.  Why?  Because her parents don't appreciate her.  She convinces her brother, Jamie to come with her and he does.  They end up in the Metropolitan Museum in New York City.  It is interesting to see how they become part of the museum crowd without drawing undue attention to themselves.  And how they take care of their basic needs creatively.  At the last part of the story, they stumble upon a mystery and seek to solve it.  This eventually leads them to Mrs. Basil E. Franweiler's home and afterwards back to their own home, where worried parents are relieved to see them.  It is a very good story.

Reader reviewed by P.G. Sherrie

If the title alone is not intriguing enough, Konigsburg has given us a story that is.  Following a brother and sister's runaway adventure to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, Konigsburg manages to weave the story of two runaway children on the backdrop of an art mystery involving Michelangelo.  The escapades of the brother and sister duo spur readers on to turn pages, following them through planning their escape, doing laundry in a New York City laundromat, evading night guards at the museum, and taking baths in the water fountain after hours.  For every child who has felt ordinary and wanted to experience something extraordinary, they will readily relate to Konigsburg's Mixed Up Files.

Reader reviewed by Jo

After reading another book from this author that I was disappointed in, I decided to try one of her award-winning books instead. This is a cute little story of a brother and sister who run away from home and live in a museum for a week. While at the museum they become involved in solving the mystery of a new art piece. The mystery of the book is good, and the way these two kids survive the week, for example, bathing, eating, etc., is amusing. And I would have recommended this book to younger kids had it not been for a small part in the book when the author talks about a possibly drug-laced candy bar. I do not think 3rd and 4th grade children are quite ready for that. I will hold onto this book until the kids are older and maybe try it then

Reader reviewed by Emma L

How Claudia and Jamie make and execute their plans is a large part of the excitement. Konigsburg names everything they buy, from the twenty cents to dry their laundry to the seventeen-cent tip Jamie gives a cab driver. This is a great book for kids who have big imaginations:) Very good and interesting book.

Reader reviewed by Meg

Of all the books that I read as a kid, this one made my imagination come alive like no other. The most amazing part for me was when the brother and sister, who are hiding in a museum, go to sleep in a bed in one of the exhibits. This is a great book to get younger kids into reading chapter books on their own, because it's really exciting. I wish they would make it into a movie.

Reader reviewed by LaLa

Every child dreams of running away. Not many dream of running away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The two children in this book do just that.

This book is a combination of the reality of running away to a famous art museum and a mystery about who created a beautiful and mysterious statue.

It was a one of a kind novel when it was published and is still a classic today!

Reader reviewed by Amanda

Despite the fact that I read this in the 3rd grade, 5 years ago, I would recommend it for young people. Many have not heard of it. I believe E.L.’s story has merit and personality, unlike most books.


Claudia and Jamie (brother and sister) have run away from home. They have kept their belongings in music cases. They’re hiding in an art museum. When guards are roaming they’ll hide in the bathrooms. Claudia and Jamie can bathe in the fountain and sleep on an ancient bed. Suddenly, in the midst of this disguise, they uncover a mystery involving s statue of Michaelangelo’s in the museum.


E.L. Konigsburg’s sense of reality and fantasy have collided to form an utterly “can’t put it down” book. I enjoyed trying to solve the mystery and hiding in the museum. I recommend this book fir ages 10 and up. I rate it 4stars for it’s new dream flavor and fun!