from the mixed up files of mrs basil e frankweiler by el konigsburg

The next morning, the kids hide their belongings-and themselves-until the museum opens. Even though they keep arguing, the pair starts to feel like more of a team. Once there, they agree on a plan to hide during the museum’s opening and closing (by ducking into bathroom stalls until the guards have left), and Claudia chooses an antique canopy bed for them to sleep in. When they arrive in New York, Jamie insists that they save money by walking to the museum instead of taking the bus or a taxi. Jamie isn’t thrilled when he learns they’ll be hiding in the art museum, but when Claudia appoints him their official treasurer, he cheers up. They ride the train from suburban Greenwich, Connecticut to New York City. After the driver parks and leaves, the kids walk to the train station (Claudia stops to mail a note of explanation to their parents), quarreling on the way. He finally admits that he’s earned this money by gambling with his friend Bruce he always wins.Īccording to plan, Claudia and Jamie stay on the school bus on Wednesday morning after the rest of the kids have gotten off. Jamie agrees to the adventure, though at first, he doesn’t want to tell Claudia how much money he’s saved up-almost $25. They will run away on Wednesday, music lesson day, so that they can pack extra clothes in their instrument cases without anyone knowing. One Monday after school, Claudia reveals her detailed plan to Jamie. After her family has “learned a lesson in Claudia appreciation,” she plans to return home.

In the meantime, Claudia has to save up enough for round-trip train fare. However, she decides she’ll take along nine-year-old Jamie, the second youngest, because he’s “rich” and reasonably quiet. Claudia is running away because of the “injustice” of having to do chores and be responsible for her three younger brothers.

She hates being uncomfortable, though, so she chooses a beautiful place to hide: the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. When Saxonberg reads the following account, she promises, he will understand why.Ĭlaudia Kincaid, almost 12, wants to run away from home. Frankweiler to her lawyer, Saxonberg, requesting that certain changes be made to her will.

From the mixed up files of mrs basil e frankweiler by el konigsburg