Book Review of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
The Children’s Book Review
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Written by E.L. Konigsburg
Ages 8+ | 168 Pages
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers | ISBN-13: 9780689205866
What to Expect: Mystery, Adventures, and Art
E.L. Konigsburg’s captivating novel, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, is unquestionably a work of true literary brilliance and remarkable storytelling. This exceptional book has received an array of distinguished awards, including the renowned Newbery Medal in 1968. Inspired by a 1965 newspaper article in the New York Times about a plaster and stucco Italian Renaissance statue purchased by the Metropolitan Museum for $225, Konigsburg transformed that simple story into a masterpiece full of adventure and mischief.
Claudia Kincaid, a straight-A student, runs away from home with her little brother Jamie and embarks on the adventure of a lifetime—living inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City! They are fascinated by a marble statue of an angel that may have been sculpted by none other than Michelangelo himself. As they marvel at the statue and learn more about it, they encounter Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the lady who sold the sculpture to the museum, and things start to get even more mysterious. Claudia and Jamie eventually unravel the secrets of the statue, and along the way, they discover essential truths about themselves.
For decades, this masterpiece has continued to fascinate audiences, and it has become a beloved and timeless classic of children’s literature. E.L. Konigsburg’s capacity to transform a simple story into a thrilling and breathtaking masterpiece is a testament to her creativity and influence as a writer. Ultimately, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is a must-read for anyone interested in exciting tales of adventure, mystery, and self-discovery.
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About the Author
E. L. Konigsburg is the only author to have won the Newbery Medal and be runner-up in the same year. In 1968 From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler won the Newbery Medal and Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth was named Newbery 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. In 2000 she wrote Silent to the Bone, which was named a New York Times Notable Book and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, among many other honors.
After completing her degree at Carnegie Mellon University, Ms. Konigsburg did graduate work in organic chemistry 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 now lives on the beach in North Florida.
What to Read Next If You Love From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
- The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster
- A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle
- The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Lee Stewert
- Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, by Chris Grabenstein
Bianca Schulze reviewed From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Discover more books like From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by reading our reviews and articles tagged with Mystery, Adventures, and Art.
