From the Mixed Up Files

From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

by E.L Konisburg
1967

Have you ever imagined running away because your family clearly does not appreciate you? I bet most kids have at some time.

In The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, that’s exactly what Claudia does.

And Claudia persuades her younger brother Jamie to go along, partly because Jamie is a miser and has a lot of cash to contribute to the enterprise. What makes this book fun is the place that Claudia and Jamie run away to—the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Cleverly avoiding the guards, they manage to hide out in the museum. They join the crowds during the day and sleep in an historic bed. They bathe in the fountain and collect the "wishing" coins from it, and generally have the place all to themselves at night.

The story is introduced by Mrs. Frankweiler (from her mixed up files). The children become interested in a statue that was purchased from her by the museum. Finally, they visit her home where they of course solve the mystery of the statue. 

You can of course visit the Metropolitan Museum today. 

At one time the Metropolitan had a booklet that showed all the spots mentioned in the book, and you could take a tour of the spots like the wonderful Fountain Court, where the children bathe. But sadly the Fountain Court (at the very south end of the main hall) is now an exhibit space with no fountains.

Of course, the Temple of Dendur exhibit has a pool that people toss coins in. So that would do as well. Be sure to visit the Hall of Armor. The museum has a good cafeteria on the lower level; get to it from the back of the museum near the entrance to the Lehman wing. 

The audio guide for families is a great tool to help you tour the museum. See the Met website.