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adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My fourth grade teacher read this book out loud to us right around the time it won the Newbery Medal in 1968. The story is a little dated--museum security, for one thing, would be much tighter nowadays, but the story still holds up beautifully. The characters are believable and thoroughly developed, the narration is sophisticated enough to entertain the adult reading the book to children, the plot is imaginative, and the point is compelling. Buy it for your fourth graders, certainly!
I loved this book as a kid but could never remember the name of it. I just remembered kids running away into a museum. I finally figured out the title and had just as much fun reading it as an adult. This is definitely one of the classics for me!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I purchased a copy of this book on January 5, 1974 at WaldenBooks in Oakwood Shopping Center. This became one of my very favorite books. I so wanted to run away to the museum, eat at the automat and collect coins out of the fountain like Claudia and Jaime. Sadly I no longer seem to have the physical book. I did purchase a copy of the book on Kindle.
I first read this book at age 10 and thought it was one of the most complex, most thrilling, most creative mysteries I had ever read. For weeks I told all my friends that they HAD to read it because it was SO good.
I just reread it as an adult. It’s not as amazing as I remember, but nothing can take away that first magical reading experience.
I just reread it as an adult. It’s not as amazing as I remember, but nothing can take away that first magical reading experience.
This was actually very enjoyable considering it was written almost 60 years ago. One of those that captures a time period very specifically, but also contains timeless lessons that wouldn't alienate modern readers.