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

This Newbery Medal-winning classic follows suburban siblings Claudia and Jamie Kincaid as they execute a meticulously planned escape to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Tired of the ordinary, Claudia seeks elegance and adventure, dragging her money-savvy younger brother along. While secretly living among the exhibits, they become engrossed in the mystery of a newly acquired statue, believed to be an early work by Michelangelo. Their quest to uncover the truth leads them to the eccentric Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the statue's former owner, and ultimately to profound discoveries about themselves, their relationship, and the meaning of home. It's a story rich with themes of independence, curiosity, and the search for identity.

When suburban Claudia Kincaid decides to run away, she knows she doesn't just want to run "from" somewhere, she wants to run "to" somewhere -- to a place that is comfortable, beautiful, and, preferably, elegant. She chooses the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Knowing that her younger brother Jamie has money and thus can help her with a serious cash-flow problem, she invites him along. Once settled into the museum, Claudia and Jamie find themselves caught up in the mystery of an angel statue that the museum purchased at auction for a bargain price of $225. The statue is possibly an early work of the Renaissance master, Michelangelo, and therefore worth millions. Is it? Or isn't it? Claudia is determined to find out. Her quest leads her to Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the remarkable old woman who sold the statue, and to some equally remarkable discoveries about herself.