This novel takes place in the winter. It is probably in the present time. And it is in New York City. The place where the characters are mostly is the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The art museum is a rich place because it has nice props, in the fountain there are pennies, nickels, and even quarters, and it has a nice restaurant on the first floor. It is peaceful, too, because when Claudia and Jamie Kincaid, the two main characters, go to sleep it only takes them a couple minutes to fall asleep. The second reason is because Claudia and Jamie can hear the security guards in the next room. The last reason is because you could hear your voice echo throughout the room you are in even if you whisper. And it is beautiful because it has the big fountain in the middle of one of the rooms. And because it has the nice statue called 'Angel'. And last  is because the museum has nice bathrooms. Claudia and Jamie run away to the museum where they live for over a week because it is Claudia's idea. Her parents weren't treating her very nicely, so she decided to run away to be 'noticed'.

     Claudia Kincaid is in the 6th grade.  She ran away from home to be 'noticed'.   Jamie Kincaid is in the 2nd grade. He gambles with his friend on the bus! They would play War, a card game, for money. And that's how Jamie got the $40 they used for food and other important things.  Claudia is more of the main character in the story. She is mean because she kept yelling at Jamie, yelled at Mrs. Frankwieler's maid, and she made Jamie run away from home with her in the first place. She is also smart because she kept correcting Jamie's grammar, knew when and when not to spend their money, and felt at the bottom of the fountain when they were taking their bath and found nickels, dimes, and quarters. And last,  she is brave because she went to Mrs. Frankwieler's house, stayed in museum for over a week and ran away from home. Claudia and Jamie are trying to live in a museum without getting caught by  guards or someone else.

      First Claudia and Jamie run away from home. Then they discovered 'Angel'.  Then they went to Mrs. Frankweiler's house to find out information about who made 'Angel'. Claudia and Jamie learn that secrets make you feel different inside.

      My overall impression of the novel is that it was a good book, but I personally wouldn't read it again. E.L. Konigsburg had a little imagery, but I think she could've had a little bit more.  She had foreshadowing and flash backs.  I wouldn't recommend this book because it was a little boring.

  So in conclusion, don't run away from home without clean underwear, like Claudia and Jamie did! And bring a lot of money!