I found this in the children's section of the public library and borrowed it expecting to hate it... I had loved the book as a child and was afraid the video version would be another hatchet job like Rosie O'Donnell's trashing of "Harriet the Spy". This is actually pretty good. I see it's labeled "home version", and I don't know what that means, except that I sure didn't see Richard Mulligan in it as the father, so I suspect it might be rather heavily edited. Part of the charm of the book that is unable to make it to the screen is the interior thought processes of Claudia, her interpretations and feelings of her experience in the museum. We can see it on the screen, but we don't really feel it along with Claudia (and Jamie). The movie does try, but it doesn't always succeed. Having said that, it also doesn't insert things that don't belong there, or take away important points that DO belong there, for which I'm very grateful. It remains true to the period. The casting is quite good; both kids were believable in their roles. All in all, I was very pleasantly surprised and might watch it a second time... and I don't even have kids! But for those who do, the book is still your best bet... overall, it does a better job bringing the whole enjoyable story to life.