yapha's review against another edition
4.0
Frankie and Walter love Ikea. They pour over the catalog, choosing their ideal furniture. A trip to the actual store for them is almost as good as an amusement park. They also love the classic book [b:From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler|3980|From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler|E.L. Konigsburg|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327784751s/3980.jpg|1384549] by E.L. Koenigsburg. Combining these two loves, they hatch a plan to spend the night in IKEA after it closes. The plan goes flawlessly at first. Frankie's parents think she is at Walter's house. Walter's mom thinks he is at Frankie's. Frankie feels like maybe she is getting a little of the old Walter back, the best friend she used to have before his father died. Their escapades in the store get more and more outlandish as they do all of things they dreamed of doing and more. They do eventually have to face the reality of what they have done. This was a fun romp and a realistic update to The Mixed Up Files (because who hasn't read that book and and wanted to spend the night over somewhere cool?). Highly recommended to grades 4 & up. You don't have to have read [b:From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler|3980|From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler|E.L. Konigsburg|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327784751s/3980.jpg|1384549] as long as you know the concept.
abigailbat's review against another edition
3.0
In a twist on The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankenweiler, best friends Frankie and Walter "run away" to spend the night in their most beloved place - IKEA. This is a fun adventure story coupled with an emotional undertone as the reader and the kids themselves begin to understand why they needed this night of adventure so badly.
Young readers who love the concept of kids spending a night on their own in a place they're not supposed to be will dig this. Personally, it stressed me out a little bit ("You kids are NOT SUPPOSED to be doing that!!") and I think the ending was pretty romanticized. This also might be a good choice for kids dealing with grief or who have friends dealing with grief.
Young readers who love the concept of kids spending a night on their own in a place they're not supposed to be will dig this. Personally, it stressed me out a little bit ("You kids are NOT SUPPOSED to be doing that!!") and I think the ending was pretty romanticized. This also might be a good choice for kids dealing with grief or who have friends dealing with grief.
suzanne_perez's review against another edition
4.0
Fun, sweet, modern-day middle-grade story that has all the right stuff. First off, great premise: Two kids spend the night in an IKEA store, an homage to "The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler." The characters are lovable and real, and I love that Catherine Newman makes a point of including diverse people and families. Read this in one delicious sitting, and it was highly enjoyable.
erin_hibshman's review against another edition
4.0
A cute book for middle grade readers. What I liked most was the truth and honesty in the voice of the narrator, Frankie and the realistic conversations between the children and their families. The adventure seemed a little too far fetched, but I am an adult. I think my kids in school will enjoy this tale.
jbrooxd's review against another edition
4.0
I've never been to an IKEA, but this book makes me want to go! I loved the main characters' love of all things IKEA and their love for one another. The inevitable disasters stressed me out as an adult but I think kids will LOVE it!
deejsylvis's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my gosh, I'm glad I read this. I was expecting it to be fun (I'm a huge, HUGE fan of Mixed-Up Files), but I didn't expect it to be so deep and moving and ... just go read it. Now. Like, now. <3
madelinesedai's review against another edition
lighthearted
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Cancer
jfranco77's review
5.0
I love Ikea. My daughter loves Ikea too. What could be better than a kids' book that's a takeoff of "Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler!" where the kids run away to Ikea instead of The Met?
Frankie and Walter are 6th graders, and Frankie agrees to the adventure partly because Walter "hasn't been himself" lately and she hopes that this will be the spark to jolt him back. The reasons why Walter isn't himself are actually pretty heavy, and this book was actually a lot deeper and more touching than the subject matter might have implied. There was still plenty of Ikea fun, though!
Frankie and Walter are 6th graders, and Frankie agrees to the adventure partly because Walter "hasn't been himself" lately and she hopes that this will be the spark to jolt him back. The reasons why Walter isn't himself are actually pretty heavy, and this book was actually a lot deeper and more touching than the subject matter might have implied. There was still plenty of Ikea fun, though!