From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler ★★★☆☆

From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (Click Here To Buy)

★★★☆☆ (3.5 Stars)

From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg is a children’s book about two siblings who run away and live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

I read this aloud with my partner when we were going to bed because we both read it as kids and wanted to revisit it. Have you ever re-read a book you liked as a kid as an adult?

Claudia Kincaid is a 12 year old who decides that she wants to run away from home. She brings along her brother Jamie, 9, because he has the most money saved ($24.43). They leave Connecticut via train and travel to New York with the intention of living in the Met. Surprisingly, they are successful. While staying there they decide they want to learn about the art and become infatuated with a new statue the museum has acquired called Angel. Claudia insists that they must uncover the mystery of whether it was sculpted by Michelangelo.

I remember reading and loving this book as a kid, especially the part where they bathe in the fountain and collect all the money, lol. It was interesting to read as an adult, because there were several points where I was like, "Wait, kids don't talk like this," "Kids don't behave like this," "there's no way a kid would [insert situation here]." In the end, it seems to me like this book is like a childhood version of Frasier due to the high-brow bantering and humor. I'm not sure what that says about me as a kid, but it was fun to read a book out loud with my partner and I would still love to live in the Met.

If you liked From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, I also recommend Ghetto Cowboy by G.Neri, They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera, Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple, and Leaving Atlanta by Tayari Jones.

Happy nostalgic reading,

Ms.Bjork