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

[Chuck]

Let's hear your thoughts on our February read!!

[Chuck]

I just started this one. Whenever I read a book for young adults/teens I'm struck by how much I enjoy the clarity of the story-telling. I'm also enjoying the snarky observations of the central character.

[JV]

Chuck wrote: "I just started this one. Whenever I read a book for young adults/teens I'm struck by how much I enjoy the clarity of the story-telling. I'm also enjoying the snarky observations of the central char..."

Chuck, that's a great observation, and now that you've mentioned it, I have noticed the same. I read this MANY years ago and had forgotten. Some of it seems familiar as I go along, but I'm enjoying it. I'll be able to share this with my daughter in a few years as her reading progresses. I like this choice.

[Chuck]

Just finished Mixed-Up Files and enjoyed it quite a bit. The kids seem very genuine to me - although clearly from an earlier time - and the character of Mrs. Frankweiler is a hoot. The various gifts that Mrs. Frankweiler brings to the kids is at times surprisingly touching.

[Joshua]

It's fun to be able to finish a novel in a day, especially when I tend to go towards these huge 1200+ page epics all the time. This was enjoyable, although it's always difficult to really compare to other books as I am definitely not the target audience for this. As I have 2 (much younger than the books') kids, it's enlightening to see the kids' point of view rather than the adults. While I kept wondering and empathizing with the parents of the kids, the focus really isn't about them or that part of it. It's completely about the discovery the kids go through about themselves.

I'll be looking forward to reading this to my kids at some point!

[Joshua]

Another thought I had, especially with the afterward by the author, is how refreshing it is that this isn't a series. We don't have another 500 books about these kids and their other runaway adventures that kids' books I feel tend to do. It's a completely contained story that will hold itself up rather than a multiverse of kids books.