The best thing here is Konigsburg's depiction of relationship between Jeanmarie and Malcolm Soo. She's unbelievably skilled at creating convincing fictional versions of bookish, precocious pre-pubescents. She gets all the self-satisfaction, dependence on half-understood facts and concepts, and, most of all, the vulnerability and underlying desire for companionship. The banter between Jeanmarie and Malcolm is funny and note-perfect. There's a lot more going on in this book's plot, and the peripheral weirdos that Konigsburg throws in are as intriguing as anything in  Louise Fitzhugh or  Joan Aiken.

What a delightfully weird little book! (The ghost of Tallulah Bankhead sends two children on a quest.)

I don't know how I overlooked this one as a child, but I'm glad that I've read it.

As an adult I really enjoyed this story. My sixth graders are struggling with it. Giving them some background knowledge on stage acting and old revival scams would have helped comprehension.

I READ THIS BOOK A LONG TIME AGO BUT I REMEMBER THAT THIS BOOK IS GOOD BUT SOME PARTS OF THE BOOK I DIDNT UNDERSTAND

not many books around with a dead tallulah bankhead as a main character! another great read.

what i really enjoy about the books of e.l. konigsburg is the way she portrays young adults. they are very real and very distinctive, not stereotypes or wooden dialogue. they are kids i would want to hang out with or know and they are very much self-possessed. some might say they are outsiders, but a key aspect of the books is always friendship and how important it is to have a relationship with at least one peer.

I love E L Konigsburg's books. Her quirky characters and plots always keep my interest and resonate with me. I met the author at a children's books conference in Reno in the early 90s, and she's as genuine in person as her books are when read.

I have a signed copy, oh yes I do.

Not her best.

Interesting - very different than her other books.

I hate not loving one of her books, but this was a little dated and a little pedantic. Great characters and great moral though.

None of her books are ever like the others. This was one especially bizarre.

I remember From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler as being good. This was medocre.