Two children decide to runaway from home and hide in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Along the way they try to discover the truth about a mysterious piece of art.
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
by E. L. Konisburg
©1967
ISBN 0-689-20586-4
Type of book: Hardcover, 162 pages
Awards: Newbery Award, 1968
Reading Level: Ages 9 to 12
Negative Elements
The main character, Claudia, decides to run away because she is bored with life and being the oldest and only girl feels she suffers from injustice in her home. She chooses to take the brother who has the most money and bothers her least. He makes his money by gambling and cheating. Obviously they must lie to cover their escape. They steal pennies from the fountain. In the end there is no remorse or regret for their actions. In fact, on the last page of the book, they make plans to sneak away again and lie about it.
Positive Elements
Through the progress of the book, the brother-sister relationship does grow closer. The children do show thoughtful planning and execution of their plans.
Our Take
I saw this book on the shelf and was filled with a sudden rush of nostalgia. I remember reading this book as a child (though I could remember nothing about it) and wanted to know if it was something I could share with my children. Much like The Road to Damietta, I kept hoping for the character development that would make the novel worthwhile, but it never happened. I think that in my younger years, I may have related to Claudia. Now however I saw her merely as self-centered and whiny. I disliked the way she treated her brother, even if there was some growth in that relationship. I also had trouble suspending reality to imagine that they really could hide in the museum; and as a historian, I was bothered by the idea that precious art was admired, but not respected.
I know I may be seen as harsh, but I want my children to submerge themselves in literature that challenges and inspires them to become better people. Award winner though it is, this one didn’t make the cut for me.
Rating
Leave it.
About the Author
Elaine Lobl Konigsburg made a remarkable début in children’s books by winning both the Newbery Award and the Newbery Honor Award in the same year, 1968. From the Mixed-up Files also won a Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1968 and the William Allen White Children’s Book Award in 1970. Nearly thirty years later, Konigsburg received a second Newbery Medal for The View from Saturday, and in the intervening years she published a long list of books notable for their quirky characters and inventive plots. (Taken from Autobiographical statement written for the 2000 Biography from Eighth Book of Junior Authors and Illustrators.)
Reviewed by MrsPages
For more reviews, pop on over to Semicolon’s Saturday Review.
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I really enjoyed The View from Saturday and really liked. I have this one down for a challenge. It doesn’t sound as good. Sorry, you were disappointed.