Hello Reader! This is post is FREE! I hope you and your family enjoy this reading resource. The best way to support this learning community is if you share this post with a friend. It make a HUGE difference and really helps a lot. If you would like to become a paid subscriber, you’ll have access to ALL past educational materials and writing prompts. It allows me to continue to offer subscriptions to learners in need. Thank you so much for reading and ENJOY!
This week we are reading pages 80-124
Summary
Things are starting to heat up in the mystery of the Angel statue. After pouring over books in the library, and risking capture, Claudia and Jamie discovered a clue! A three ring impression left after the statue was moved proves that Michelangelo’s signature was left on the bottom of Angel. Delighted, the Kincaids write to the museum about their finding, open a P.O. box and receive a reply!
Unfortunately the reply was not what they expected. The museum was already aware of this detail and it still doesn’t prove who the artist actually is. Claudia is moved to tears and for the first time we see a very emotional side of her. It turns out that her disappointment runs deep and she was hoping to achieve something more. She was expecting something to happen in a grand and meaningful way and now feels like a failure. Jamie on the other hand is somewhat relieved. This means they can go home now. No more grey clothes, no more hunger.
Just as Jamie is about to buy a ticket back home, Claudia makes one final attempt to solve the mystery. Maybe the answer lies in the heiress Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler who purchased the object. Could she know something? We leave Claudia and Jamie in a taxi pulling into her magnificent estate. What they will find there we have yet to find out.
Themes
There are so many interesting themes at work in this book. Independence clearly is one of them. In both their ways the Kincaids have shown maturity and resourcefulness on their adventure thus far. Can you think of an example?
Art is a big one. But not just a simple painting, I’m talking also about appreciating art and the value of learning. I am a fan of the mystery of the Angel, but it’s also its beauty that is just as intriguing. It is a mystery all its own! Can you think of an example in the book where the author describes an object or the museum itself beautifully?
Another great theme is Money and how to spend and save wisely. Jamie and Claudia have very different views about money. It’s an interesting source of conflict for them, but also a great opportunity for a young reader to think about themselves. How much do things cost and what is worth spending money on? One fun idea is to add up how much it costs for two people to live for a week in NYC. As an New Yorker myself I’m actually too scared to know the answer!
There are also themes such as family, mystery, secrecy, but the biggest one so far is Coming of Age. Coming of age describes the transition out of childhood. In a very revealing moment between the two siblings we come to realize how difficult this transition is for Claudia and how oblivious her younger brother is to this. She keeps saying she wants to come back different and that something about the life she was living before was unsatisfying. Can you go back to the dialogue between Claudia and Jamie (pages 117-120) and find a line or two where Claudia describes this feeling?
Interactive Map
Interactive map? Interactive map!
The Met is such a fantastic place. Honestly, you could spend a week living in it and barely scratch the surface of all there is to know. But this is where the MAP comes in. It’s a fun and cool way to learn about specific objects.
I also love this short video MetKids made about this book. They go through the museum and point out the places referenced in the book. It’s pretty cool.
Discussion Q’s
In your opinion, do you think Claudia and Jamie are homesick?
What important clue did the Kincaids find?
What is the question and the answer Claudia is thinking about while hiding under the velvet? What does this have to do with wanting to be different?
Why did Claudia cry after reading the letter?
Thank you so much for reading. I would love to hear your thoughts. Is there anything more you would like to see in these posts? Anything more you would like to to support your readers/writers? I’m always trying to make this better and work for you!
And if you would like to be in a LIVE Book Club with other learners you can email me at olivia.mardwig@gmail.com or DM me @writewitholivia on IG.