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

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

Interest in the marble piece arises from the unusual circumstances attending its acquisition by the museum and from the belief that it may be the work of the Italian Renaissance master, Michelangelo. (4.39)

Who can resist a good whodunit? Claudia and Jamie can't… even if it means that they're going to have to do extracurricular reading to get to the bottom of this mystery.

Quote #2

Jamie thought this over a minute. He was impressed. "When I grow up, I'm going to find a way to know for certain who did a statue." (4.50)

The search for the truth is something that Jamie has as a long-term goal; something that he might get to once he's an adult. For Claudia though, the time is now, and they're going to seize it.

Quote #3

She would solve its mystery; and it, in turn, would do something important to her, though what this was, she didn't know. (4.79)

The truth about the angel means something to Claudia, though she can't quite pinpoint it. It's kind of like having an itch and not knowing exactly where it is—totally annoying and something that you can't ignore.