From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg
Winner, 1968 Newbery Award
Quick Summary
Two siblings run away to live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and solve an art-related mystery.
Favorite Quote
Rich people have only penny wishes.
About the Author
E. L. Konigsburg was both an author and illustrator of children's books. Her book, Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth won a Newbery Honor the same year that From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler won the Newbery Medal. She is the only author to have had two books honored the same year. She won a second Newbery Award for The View from Saturday almost thirty years after her first award.
My Project
For my project, I started with a miniature map of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I added a gold edge with metallic paint to give a sense of the old-time elegance of the museum.
In the center I created a little ivory folder out of card stock and inserted a tiny photo of an angel statue, a letter by Michelangelo (aged with ink), and a map of Italy (painted with blues and greens). The front of the folder has the label "Bologna, Italy" in a typewriter font. The date is stamped on a piece of brass, echoing the little brass plaques often found in museums.
Final Thoughts
I may have accidentally stumbled upon how to have the best possible rereading experience of a children's book as an adult. I remember enjoying this book as a kid, but cannot recall almost any specifics about it (except picking up the coins in the fountain!). So it was almost like reading a totally new-to-me book, but with the assurance that I would be happy at the end.
I'm astonished that this book from 1967 is still so popular. My local library has ten copies (!) and every single one was checked out! That's the first time that has happened in my entire year of reading Newbery titles. The local used book store did not carry a copy, so I ended up buying one at Barnes and Noble. I liked how the bookstore had an entire bookcase devoted to Newbery winners. This made it super easy to find the book. (One of the features of this award is that the books include a broad range of reading levels, so they'd normally be scattered around a bookstore.)
The other fun aspect of buying the book is that the bottom of my receipt included four recommended titles: Wrinkle in Time, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIHM, Island of the Blue Dolphins, and When You Reach Me. Two of those books I'd read earlier as part of my Newbery project and had enjoyed them both.
Your Turn
If you read this book, I'd love to hear what you think in the comments.