If anyone is interested From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by EL Konigburg is the name of the book referenced in the first chapter. It's an American children's classic, a Newbery Award winner, so I was a bit surprised to see it referenced.
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/k/e-l-konigsburg/from-mixedup-files-of-mrs-basil-e-frankweiler.htm
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Started by booknik, Jan 18 2012 08:29 AM