A little mystery can bring magic into anyone"s life. When young Claudia decides to run away from home to teach her parents a lesson in Claudia Appreciation, she plans very carefully. Securing the company - and financial participation - of her younger brother Jamie, Claudia sets out to take up residence at the Metropolitan Museum. Staying one step ahead of security guards, determined doormen, and clever cops is almost a full-time job for these two - until they come across a statue so beautiful, yet so mysterious, they cannot go home until they discover its maker, a question which baffles even the experts. First they have to find the statue"s former owner, the reclusive and mischievous Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (Lauren Bacall). Then Claudia and Jamie must take a mad dash through her incredibly mixed-up files in this delightful family adventure.