Newbery Medal (John Newbery Medal)
2 appearances
-
Edition 54 (1975) Nominee
-
Edition 58 (1979) Winner
Ellen Raskin
エレン・ラスキン
Ellen Raskin
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1928-03-13 （Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.）
- Died
- 1984-08-08 （New York City, New York, U.S.） age 56
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages
- English
- Residence History
- Milwaukee (childhood) → Madison (university) → New York City (primary residence/work)
Career
- Occupations
- Writer, Illustrator, Graphic artist (commercial)
- Active Years
- 1950-1984
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin–Madison | Fine Arts | — | — | — | United States |
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Fine Arts
Country:
United States
Entered at 17; changed major from journalism to fine arts after visiting an art exhibit
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Newbery Medal | The Westing Game | — | American Library Association | Winner |
| 1975 | Newbery Honor | Figgs & Phantoms | — | American Library Association | Honor Book |
Newbery Medal
1979
Work:
The Westing Game
Organization:
American Library Association
Result:
Winner
Newbery Honor
1975
Work:
Figgs & Phantoms
Organization:
American Library Association
Result:
Honor Book
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
The Westing Game
1978 Children's mystery novel 192 pagesChildren investigate a mysterious inheritance and must solve puzzles and clues; a tightly plotted, puzzle-driven mystery that brings together eccentric characters to uncover the truth about a fortune.
Puzzle-solvingFamily and inheritanceIdentityCooperation and rivalry
Figgs & Phantoms
1974 Children's novel (with mystery elements)A story centered on family and past secrets, blending whimsical elements and humor with deep character portraits.
FamilySecretsComing of age
The Tattooed Potato and Other Clues
1975 Children's short novel/collection (mystery)A collection/short novel featuring a series of clever mysteries and humorous twists.
MysteryHumor
The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I Mean Noel)
1971 Children's novelA quirky children's novel told from a child's perspective, combining humor and keen observation in a mysterious incident.
HumorOdd happenings
Bibliography
- Nothing Ever Happens on My Block (1967)
- Silly Songs and Sad (1967)
- Spectacles (1968)
- Ghost in a Four-Room Apartment (1969)
- And It Rained (1969)
- The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I Mean Noel) (1971)
- The World's Greatest Freak Show (1971)
- Franklin Stein (1972)
- Moe Q. McGlutch, He Smoked Too Much (1973)
- Who, Said Sue, Said Whoo? (1973)
- Figgs & Phantoms (1974)
- The Tattooed Potato and Other Clues (1975)
- Moose, Goose & Little Nobody (1976)
- Twenty-Two, Twenty-Three (1976)
- The Westing Game (1978)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Puzzle-driven structureMeticulous plottingHumorous narrative voiceFrequent use of visual/diagrammatic elements (illustrations, charts)
- Recurring Motifs
- Puzzles and cluesLists and diagramsEccentric charactersWordplay
Health
-
Connective tissue disease晩年（〜1984年）Affected her health in later years and was the cause of death in 1984.
Legacy
Ellen Raskin is recognized in children's literature—particularly children's mysteries. Her Newbery Medal-winning The Westing Game (1979) remains highly regarded in school libraries and reading lists. She was also known as a commercial artist who designed many book jackets and illustrations.
Archives
- Simmons College Archives (Ellen Raskin Papers)
In Popular Culture
- The Westing Game has appeared on School Library Journal's top 100 chapter books list and continues to be taught and read in educational settings.
Trivia
- Designed more than 1,000 dust jackets for books, including notable first editions.
- The Westing Game won the Newbery Medal in 1979.
- Her papers are held by Simmons College Archives (Ellen Raskin Papers).
- She suffered from a connective tissue disease and died in New York in 1984.