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

Claudia, the middle child in a busy family, grows weary of suburban life and decides she wants something grander. She plans to escape and take control of her own story, enlisting her younger brother Jamie, who has savings from playing cards, as her partner in crime.

Jamie agrees to join the plan, using his savings from playing cards to fund the trip. He becomes Claudia's reluctant but loyal accomplice in the fledgling escape.

They travel to New York City and head straight for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, choosing the museum as a sanctuary from home. The grandeur of the city makes their adventure feel possible and thrilling.

Inside the Met, they spend their days exploring galleries and quietly listening to school tours. They hide in the bathrooms until closing time and sleep in antique beds to rest.

There they encounter The Angel, a marble statue recently auctioned off by Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. The piece is surrounded by mystery, and many experts debate who created it, with Michelangelo’s name at the center.

Claudia becomes determined to solve the statue's mystery and spends long hours researching its origins and provenance. Her resolve grows as she pores over studies and catalogs that might verify the attribution.

The two siblings notice a small mark at the base of the statue, a feature Michelangelo used on several works. This clue fuels their confidence that the sculpture may truly be Michelangelo's.

Claudia disguises herself as an adult to secure a meeting with a museum worker and report their discovery. The official acknowledges the mark but remains unsure about its authenticity.

Jamie grows homesick and catches a cold, making the longer absence harder to endure. Despite his illness, Claudia remains determined to finish the mystery.

Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler invites them to search for the truth herself, leading them to a room lined floor-to-ceiling with filing cabinets and giving them one hour to find the answer.

They search for an hour, and Claudia uncovers the correct file after 54 minutes of frantic effort. The room echoes with the tension of a race against time.

The discovered file contains a sketch from Michelangelo's notebooks, proving the artist's authorship. This breakthrough settles the long-standing question about the statue’s origin.

With the mystery solved, Claudia and Jamie are appeased and prepared to go home. Mrs. Frankweiler drives them back to Connecticut, carrying the newfound trust that adventure can teach responsibility.