Book Description

For twenty-five years, Ellen Raskin's Newbery Medal-winning The Westing Game has been an enduring favorite and is now being reissued with a brand-new jacket by Kevin Hawkes and an introduction by Ann Durell.

This highly inventive mystery involves sixteen people who are invited to the reading of Samuel W. Westing's will. They could become millionaires, depending on how they play the tricky and dangerous Westing game, which involves blizzards, burglaries, and bombings. Ellen Raskin has entangled a remarkable cast of characters in a puzzle-knotted, word-twisting plot filled with humor, intrigue, and suspense. ... Read more

Reviews (457)

Good book, lacking in content
The story starts off with openings for six brand new apartments over looking Lake Michigan, six letters were sent to seemingly six random people and the deal was too good for all six to pass it up. A few weeks later the owner of the apartments, the mansion next door, and the local mill which makes paper is found dead in his bedroom on the night of Halloween by one of the people who lived in the apartments. A week later his will is read aloud to all the people who were receiving gifts, coincidentally only the people who lived in the apartment building which turns out to be sixteen people. When the will is read the sixteen heirs are split up into eight random groups of two people, each group then is given a set of what appears to be random words. This set of words are their clues, they have to find out who murdered the owner of the place whose name is Samuel Westing if they can figure it out they get the mansion. They are told that one of them is actually the murderer which sparks suspicion. This sets a game like atmosphere. Next the book describes the individual teams and how they try to use their clues. Many puzzling things happen on the way that change your view of the case.

The rest is for you to read, I have not told to much so still buy this fascinating book. I enjoyed the book a lot and believe firmly that it deserves four stars out of the possible five. I enjoyed this book because it was very entertaining and hard to put down. This book also is a fantastic murder mystery which can appeal to both grown ups and to very young kids, however, the book is very different than a detective story. In fact the author, centers his writings on the characters which are very well explained and you can tell what each one is thinking. The author is able to do this brilliantly, by forming a game out of the mystery where the heirs to the will believe for a good portion of the book that to inherit the most money they must find out who the murder was.

The years pass, and still a must-read
'The Westing Game' was my favorite book as a pre-teen, so when I returned to it years later, my expectations were low. Was I wrong! This book might be accessible to younger readers, but no one who loves a mystery with incredible characters should miss this for the world.

While the plot centers around a less than run-of-the-mill whodunit, the book mainly focuses on the characters: each unique, bizarre, and ultimately endearing. The author manages to make them quirky without making them caricatures. The developing relationships between the 'heirs' as they attempt to unravel the mystery, is, I think, far more important than the mystery itself; they also develop in their sense of identity. These are all themes any adult can appreciate, woven into the story with humor and sly understatement, yet in effect deeply moving.

The plot is complex and suspenseful, layered so impenetrably that at least one surprise at the end is inevitable. Yet even when wrapped in the most logical of puzzles, the author never loses the human touch. There are many scenes portrayed with hilarious, touching absurdity; and Raskin is dead-on with her take on human nature, even when her depiction seems exaggerated.

Read it for a good chuckle--but in the end it may be more than that.

Amazing!
This book is about 16 "heirs" who, if they solve The Westing Game, will recieve a large sum of money. The characters are sorted into eight groups of two and are given a small list of clues.

The 'Game' is full of mystery and alias'. You'll never guess it! Go ahead and try. Read this book.

No Reason To Ban
I just finished THE WESTING GAME by Ellen Raskin. Even with re-reading the last few pages, I still have yet to understand why this clever, complex, yet entertaining book was so controversial. The tangled storylines make you think, not assume the plot. This book was assigned to me as a "banned book" for my Children's Literature class at West Virginia State University. Banned or not, I recommend this book for amateur sleuths and inquisitive older children alike.

LOVED IT!!!!!
This book was great! I really loved the story and all of it's twists and turns. Although it was a little confusing with all the people, I think anyone my age would love this book. If you like mystery, comedy, and just about any kind of book, buy this one!!!!:) :) :b ... Read more

Reviews (21)

One of my favorite pre-adolescent reads!
I've been an avid reader since childhood, and this book was one of my favorites during my pre-adolescent years (late 70s). I've always thought of it as kind of an obscure book, so I was shocked when I stumbled across it on a list of favorite children's books. The kudos are well-deserved, though: as others have said, this is a wonderful, unique mystery story. As you read the book, various clues are provided to help you solve the mystery of Leon's (I mean Noel!) disappearance; two twins, a boy and a girl, work to solve the mystery along with you. I re-read the book many times, and it was just as enjoyable even after I knew the answer to the mystery (which I had NOT been able to figure out on my own!). A great, timeless read for girls and boys alike.

The most creative book I've ever read
Without the illustrations, this book wouldn't be half as good as it is. It is quite amazing how the illustrator incorporated aspects of the plot for quite a visual display of word play. This is a mystery novel, however not one you can really solve on your own. You figure it out along with the main character, Mrs. Carillon. She is searching for the love of her life, who disappeared off the side of a boat and sputtered some unintelligable words which she then tries to figure out in the coming decades, as she knows those words are the clues to his disappearance. Along the way, she meets wonderful characters, including a pair of fraternal twins whom she sort of adopts. When I first read this book, probably around the age of 12, I couldn't believe what I was reading. It just charmed me and I fell in love with it. I already knew of Raskin through her other children's books, but this is quite different (I again think it is the illustrations). It is sort of a psychedelic detective book for kids. Psychedelic in the illustrations and oddness. But it's just sososososooo good. Well worth the $5 here at amazon.com, and even more. You will cherish it!

The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I Mean Noel)
This was a fantastic book! It had a little mystery, some fantasy, and some adventure. I couldn't stop reading it! You should definitely read this book because its the best. It gives the phrase "page-turner" a whole new meaning!

Confusing but entertaining
I loved this book! I first read it when I was 12,and did not understand it at all. I had to read it a second time, but still couldn't understand it. I guess back then I wasn't ready to understand it and appreciate it. I think I'm ready to appreciate it now. Either way, it's hysterical and entertaining, though confusing. Kind of like playing "Clue"

The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I Mean Noel)
The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I mean Noel)
By Ellen Raskin
Review by a cool Someone

I have read many great books including, The Harry Potter Series, Which Witch, Island of the Aunts, Because of Winn Dixie, Time Stops for No Mouse and many others. Now I have a new wonderful, thrilling book to add to my list.

The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I mean Noel), is the story of Mrs. Dumpling Carillon and her search for her missing husband, Leon Carillon (or should I say Noel Carillon). The main characters were; Mrs. Carillon, Tina & Tony, Augie Kunkel, Mr. Banks and others.

Mrs. Carillon is part owner , along with Leon, of the Carillon soup business, When Mrs. Carillon doesn't receive anymore letters from Leon (Noel), she becomes suspicious and sets out for New York City. There she meets two orphan twins by the names of Tina and Tony, and decides to adopt them. Tina and Tony help Mrs. Carillon decipher the last letter that she received before Noel had disappeared. The strange message stated "Noel glub C blub all...I glub new." Mrs. Carillon ran into many other predicaments, but their main problem is deciphering the message and locating Noel.

I can relate to Dumpling because of her love of horses. In addition, I like the color yellow, and Mrs. Carillon does too. There are no other connections between the characters and myself, with the exception, that, I too, have felt the same way as Tony. At one point in the book, he finds out something very important. Tony couldn't wait for Augie Kunkel, who was a friend of Mrs. Carillon when she was a kid, to come back home so he could tell him. I once had to tell my dad something important and I couldn't wait until he came home from his meeting.

The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I mean Noel) is very exciting. I was caught up in the plot and could not put the book down. The story was so great because I was able to solve the mystery while reading the book. My favorite part would have to be when Tina tells Rosemary Neuberger to wash her face daily and not to eat as much junk food as usual, so she could get rid of her pimples. That is my favorite pat because it is very funny to read. Also because Tina hates Rosemary and finally she gets to diss Rosemary. If I could change one part in the book, I would choose the section where Seymour Hall, the horse jockey, dies. I was sad when he passed away.

I would highly recommend this thrilling and funny book to anyone who enjoys being kept on the edge of their seat. I wanted to keep reading the story all night. This book would be enjoyable for someone who likes mysteries, horses, puzzles or just a great read. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

excellent book
I've read this book more than 12 times... what else do I have to say?

An All-Time Favorite
I was fortunate enough to read "The Tattooed Potato and other clues" a few times before my local library took it off the shelves. I absolutely love this book and it's still among my top five favorites though now that I'm older (and hopefully wiser) I've read a wider selection of profound and celebrated literature. I'm rathe saddened by the fact that I cannot find this book any longer even at the library.

In this story, an art student by the name of Dickory Dock (a name that makes her cringe thanks to the inevitable puns with it) becomes an assistant to Garson, a mysterious and eccentric artist living in Greenwich village.

Mysteries within a mystery is the best way to describe the events of this book-- Dickory and Garson begin solving cases for the police chief, acting as Inspector Noserag (Garson backwards, almost) and Sergeant Kod (Dock backwards, almost) as they deduce. 'Sergeant Kod' starts to form her own deductions as she gets to know the many faces of Garson and finds herself entangled in a bigger mystery.

Highly recommended! I strongly urge you to read it should the oppurtunity presents itself-- it's hard to come by this great book now that it is out-of-print.

The Better Book
This was a better book than The Westing Game, which I love. It is unfortunate that it is out of print, because I would love to own it. (I checked it out from the library when I was a kid.) If you can find it, buy it!

Another good book by Raskin
I've heard some people say that Ellen Raskin hasn't written anything half as good as The Westing Game. I beg to differ.

I found The Tattooed Potato and Other Clues, to be a captivating and suspenseful book. I could not stop reading, wanting to read more about Dickory and all the the other colorful characters, and solve the mini mysteries that all together helped solve the intricate main mystery.

It's fun to see Raskin's quirky humor, and how all of the delightfully odd names are perfectly suited to the characters.

If not quite up to the level of The Westing Game, this book is still enjoyable, and worth a read. If do you pick up, I hope it captures your interest as much as it did mine.

An excellent children's book
I haven't read this book in over ten years, but I still rememeber how extraordinary it was, and completely different from any other book I read as a kid. I can't believe such a story is out of print! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Another good book from the author of The Westing Game
I had just read The Westing Game, and I needed more. I checked out Figgs and Phantoms because I thought I couldn't go wrong with the author. I read it in about two days, and when I was done I was very disappointed. I was expecting a wonderful mystery, but instead, I get an interesting fantasy. For about three days, I told people how dumb it was, but then I really thought about it. I realized that the focus was really on the main character, and not much on the plot, which then made me like it more. Then I realized it applied to me, making it much for enjoyable. I really liked the book.

Figgs and Phantoms a amazing book
The Figg-Newtons were the most teased people in the town. Mona Newton was a Figg. She was depressed, because her life was horrible. The only person she got along with was her Uncle Florence. I don't really blame her for not getting along with anyone execpt Uncle Florence because he was only normal person in her whole family. The other people in her family were Sister Figg, her mother, a tap dancer who tapped dance all the time; Aunt Gacie Jo a dog catcher, her son was Fido the second, and Truman, the human pretzel. Everyone knew that Uncle Florence was going to Capri. Capri is the place where all Figg-Newtons go when they die. But no one knows where Capri is or why The Figg- Newtons go there. Will Mona follow Uncle Florence there and find out all the family secrets?This book was one of the best books Ellen Raskin has written. Although the book was really powerful you realize how much it can hurt people to tease them. Mona got teased so much she basically shut the world out of whole life. Not only Mona was upset with the teasing, it was all the Figgs. In this book I realized what it was like to be the odd one out or in this case the odd people out. I didn't like that feeling and I don't think anyone would like to be put in this situation. There were some very strong feelings in this book . I suggset this book to people who like adventure and fanasty.

Good book, but perhaps not for every child.
The Figgs are an odd family and Mona Lisa Figg regrets being one. They have their own special place to go after death (Capri), they are all talented in some bizarre way and they revel in their unordinariness. Mona's not sure she believes in Capri, can find no specific talent and just wants to be like everyone else.

The only Figg she cares for is her Uncle Florence. When he dies, she finds Capri for herself, wanting to stay with him. This journey, naturally, makes her a better person in the end, more understanding and loving of her family and herself, and grants her a peace she hadn't had before.

There are some extremely funny bits and lots of nearly psychedelic incidents. Though it is listed as a juvenile book, I feel that it should be slanted more towards the young adult category as some of it simply too complex for a juvenile book. Some of the word play, situations and themes would be--in my opinion--meaningless or confusion to anyone younger than the late teens. Having said that, I can not give it a blanket recommendation and would recommend that a parent read it first to see if the discussion of death and the afterlife would be appropriate for their child.

review from a 17 year old reader
A really odd book [in a good way]. However, I think the targetted age group should be somewhat older then 12-13 as children in this age bracket may not "get" the message this book conveys.

:.:Review of Figgs and Phantoms:.:
This book provided a clear reason as why children get made fun of. yeah. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A fun children's book.
Having grown up with this book, published in 1973, I was very happy to find it at the library to share with my one-year-old son. He enjoys the rhyme and rhythm and the funny pictures. It's so memorable that I can quote it to him anytime and elicit a smile. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This was my favorite book as a child.
I treasured this book as a child.My allowance was usually spent on books, stuffed animals or candy.I don't really have anything left from my childhood spending sprees except a worn, fragile copy of Piping Down the Valleys Wild that I spent 95 cents for in the early 70s.This is the most wonderful collection of children's poems that I have ever come across.Both adults and children are brought to laughter at the antics of "Eat it Alll Elaine", "Catherine"s sharing of her mud cake, or the little boy in "Missing" asking Aunt Rose if she's seen his mouse.The poems are wonderfully visual and instilled in me a love of poetry that I still have today.This remains my all time favorite book of poetry and I'm glad it was re-issued so that I might share this gift with my son and give him his own copy to take with him. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great for little girls with new glasses!
Spectacles is a great book for little girls that have just received their first pair of glasses.Getting glasses can be traumatic for some little girls, but this book shows how important glasses are.Iris sees things ina cloudy way.She thinks items around her home are different animals anddragons.In reality, when she puts her glasses on she realizes that theanimals are really furniture, plants and sometimes people.The ending ofthe book is fun, because my daughter could relate to trying on thedifferent kinds of glasses.She especially liked the movie star glasses. It is a great book for 4-9 year old kids, especially girls.I wish it wasnot out of print, because I recommend this book to everyone that is gettingnew glasses. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

STILL SEARCHING FOR MY COPY IN MY MOTHER'S BASEMENT
I loved this book! I think I still have it... somewhere. I purchased it myself from the bookmobile when I was in elementary school in D.C. I read it again and again, discovering yet another exciting event Chester Filbert was missing while he was so busy complaining. What about the parachuter?! "Geronimo!" and the girls jumping rope, the armored car and the money everywhere? And yes, the witch popping up in different windows! Chester's last words... "when I grow up, I'm going to move." Well, Chester, I live in NY now, and there's so much happening on my block that I may otherwise take for granted had it not been for you!
Love, Nay in NY (all grown up and still loving your words)

This book is the reason I became a teacher!
As a child reading about Chester Filbert, lamenting that nothing ever happens on his block, urged me to teach the Chester Filbert's of the world to stand up and look around. I want to heighten young peoples awareness that the things in their community are of importance and to get involved as an active citizen. I teach high school social studies and the first day I read Ellen Raskins' classic!

this is such a fun interactive book to read with kids
there are new things on every page for a kid to spot and the illustrations are rich and colorful. it is a short and exciting read!

This book provided many happy hours for my sister and me!
I don't know how many hours my sister and I spent looking at this book as a child! I sure wish it were still in print. It was so much fun seeing what had changed at each house from page to page, as Chester sat there bored as can be! I can't remember all the details as I don't think I've seen this book for a book 20 years, but I know a cat had kittens that moved into all the other houses, a house burnt down and was rebuilt, there was a witch that showed up here and there, and so on! I hope to find a copy of this so my boys can enjoy it too.

Good Book Passed Down ...From Grandmother To Father To Child
When my son was a little boy, I enjoyed reading this book to him every night, as he gleefully looked at the exciting activities pictured on the pages. Now that my son is a father, he too reads his once-favorite book to his son, and they both smile in shared companionship as they follow the adventures of children, a mailman, a parachutist, a policeman, firemen, an ambulance driver, etc.on "Chester's boring block." ... Read more

Book Description

By popular demand, the reissue of the classic little blue edition (with envelope) of the great Christmas classic.

For over half a century Dylan Thomas's A Child's Christmas in Wales has enchanted both young and old and is now a traditional gift of the holiday season. Set in a small Welsh town on Christmas Day, this gem of lyric prose has become a modern classic. With gentle humor the simple story captures a child's eye view, and an adult's fond remembrance, of a boy's magical time of presents, good things to eat, aunts and uncles, the frozen sea, childhood friends, and, in the best of circumstances, newly-fallen snow—its wonder, silence and snowball mischief.

With this reissue, New Directions returns to the most popular format A Child's Christmas in Wales—a booklet size that can be mailed in an accompanying envelope. Often compared with Dickens as "the twentieth century's A Christmas Carol," A Child's Christmas in Wales is now fast approaching a million copies sold. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

More than a Christmas story.
Scaring sleeping uncles by popping balloons. Getting a hatchet by mistake. Snowballing cats. Dylan Thomas has captured the perfect Christmas. Without any moral, very little plot, and a concern only for the child's perspective, this little piece sticks in my mind better than any other Christmas story I've ever read. Between drunk Auntie Hannah singing in the backyard and the haunted house down the streets where a group of mischievous carollers get the living hell scared out of them, "A Child's Christmas in Wales" is everything Christmas should be: funny, happy, poignant, a little sad, and fattening. Keep a bowl of candy nearby when you read it.

Part of a Christmas tradition.
Every Christmas Eve, I set aside a few minutes to listen to my CD of Dylan reading "A Child's Christmas" in Wales, placing the special emphasis only he can on the frustrated Mr. Prothero trying to put out a fire in his house, the neighborhood St. Bernards who bellow "Excelsior!" over the town, and the churchgoers who, with taproom noses, go scooping over the ice. The older I get, the more I need this little piece. As friends and family are, for one reason or another, lost with the passing years, it gets harder and harder to laugh, even at Christmas, but Dylan Thomas gives me a good giggle every time.

The Best Christmas Book EVER.
I really cannot say enough wonderful things about this book and the audio tape of Dylan Thomas reading it. My Christmas seasons have been enriched beyond measure since a loved one gave me this book. It is the most evocative and beautiful Christmas tale I've ever read and reading it aloud on Christmas Eve has become a beloved tradition in our family. It even inspired my husband and me to spend Christmas 2 years ago in the Cotswolds (England, not Wales... I realize), but we yearned for a more traditional "old world" holiday season and found it in the countryside not far from Wales. If you love the spirit of Christmas, this book is truly essential....such beautiful words with amazing soul, you will be enchanted.

Best of all having it read aloud to oneself
Who hasn't read this short tale of magic about Christmas past in a village in Wales, Dylan Thomas' most beloved book? I've read it to myself perhaps 20 times; I've read it to my children and laughed over the pictures maybe 10 more times. But, till now, I've never experienced the joy of hearing the poet himself read it to me. Omigod, what a pure pleasure. Recorded in 1952, this new release is all cleaned up and is a real keeper. Thomas' cadences, inflections, emphasis, pauses, and his marvelous Welsh accent make a listener close her eyes and just get lost in the humor and love and reminiscences of a bygone era.
There are quite a few other selections in this collection - and they're good - but even if you buy it just for A Child's Christmas in Wales, it'll be money well spent.

Enchanting Poetic Dylan Thomas Classic
Dylan Thomas' 'A Child's Christmas in Wales' in it's second print for generations has become an enchanting, simple poetic tale captured in the eyes of a child. The language is delightfully entrancing and the poetry shines with a heavenly radiance. Thomas' style captures an adult's warm memory of a holiday-season that reflects presents, good things to eat, and when it was just right, white blanket of new snow with all it's wonder and the mischief of snowball battles and any exaggeration that moves that will spark the imagination of a child.

This second edition of Thomas' magical tale is lavishly illustration with old-fashioned, scratchboard-like engravings by Fritz Eichenberg. Dylan Thomas was born in Swansea, Wales in 1914. He began writing poetry at a very young age and published his first book, '18 Poems' at twenty. From 1943 until his death he broadcasted his own radio talk program on BBC. He read poetry selections, participated in table discussions, and read dramas and essays. His voice became familiar with Americans in the 1950s during his lecture tours at American universities. He had achieved an admirable audience for his poetry. Besides this book and his poetry his other most widely read works are 'Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog,' 'Quite Early One Morning' and his play, 'Under Milk Wood.'

'A Child's Christmas in Wales' is Thomas' most fine work of art-with it's human quality, touching sentiment, easily understood presentation and child-like wisdom that gives Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' a second glance at holiday tradition. After all we can all find a child in Christmas in all of us. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Memory Maker!!
This book is a story that will stay with you for the rest of your life.My sister and I have been looking for a copy for about 15 years now.We lost ours in a move and talk about finding one all the time.This is a story we want to share with our children and grandchildren.It is a heart warmer.Because nobody is a "nobody."

Moose Goose and Little Nobody
This book is about a little mouse searching for mom with the help of somefriends.I haven't read it in a while, but I loved it as a child! ... Read more