Module 4 - From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

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

Summary - This book is both an adventure story and a great tale about families and the ties that bind them together - and can drive them apart. After becoming resentful of her lackluster life and lack of appreciation by her family, Claudia Kincaid decides to run away from home. However, instead of just running away - she decides to run to something, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. With her younger brother Jamie, and the assistance of a mysterious benefactor (and narrator) Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Claudia uncovers a mystery that needs solving in the museum, that home is where the heart truly is, and how some adventures can change you forever.

Impressions - This book was a really interesting look at parent/child and sibling/sibling relationships, and shows, in a calm and powerful manner, the quiet desperation that children on the brink of adulthood can go through when they feel they don't belong in the world where they exist. While it is somewhat dated (the prices in the book are VERY outdated and would cause shock for many modern children), the storyline is adventurous and appropriately far-fetched (running away to New York and sleeping in the Metropolitan Museum of Art) to catch the interest of readers, and the language doesn't speak down to children but can help them to increase their language skills without too much pain and suffering. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the direct narrative asides by Mrs. Frankweiler with the children's story (told in story format as if written in a letter by Mrs. Frankweiler to her lawyer), and enjoyed the sub plot of the mystery of 'Angel' that Claudia feels she must solve. I think the important brother-sister tie between Claudia and Jamie is the heart of the story, and stands a great example for children who love their siblings but may be annoyed by them at times. Claudia and Jamie's homecoming is somewhat shortchanged, and the pain and worry of their parents/family is hinted at throughout, but never fully explored - although this is more for time and focus reasons than just ignoring it.

Reviews - The Amazon.com official review (1) of this book mentions how it is a "timeless novel", and discusses the wonder of staying in the Metropolitan Museum and having an "adventure", but it focuses on the "mystery that awaits" Claudia and Jamie and the running away "in order to teach their parents a lesson", missing some of the more important themes in the book: discovery of self, familial love, and finding the extraordinary in ourselves. This review is positive and should give the casual observer a good entry into the story, but I think it should be augmented to share more of the power of the story (and possibly mention the dated aspect) in order to truly give someone a good insight.

Use - This book is a great read for late-elementary aged students with proper instruction and discussion to set expectations for the differences the children will notice in era and the, possibly, controversial idea of running away from home. Children who will be most drawn to it are those that feel somewhat different, or those who feel slight disappointment in their 'ordinary' lives, and it may be more accessible to higher level readers than those who have difficulties, so a honors/gifted level class may be a better audience than a regular/remedial group. Older children may also find comfort in the 'apartness' Claudia feels, but may be somewhat bored by the tame 'adventures' she and her brother undergo and their interest in an artifact and the historical mystery which surrounds it.

(1) Unk. (n.d.). Editorial reviews - Amazon.com review. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Mixed-up-Files-Mrs-Basil-Frankweiler/dp/068985322X