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Join MJ as he talks about The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin.

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (1978) – Quirky mystery in which 16 heirs compete to uncover secrets behind tycoon Sam Westing’s death.

#amreading #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #mystery #FOTRESSFICTION

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The book can be purchased from this site or on audible.

My Candid Thoughts on The Westing Game – Rewritten from transcript by Claude AI

As an author, artist, and analyzer, I’ve been diving into various books for my Fortress Fiction series. Today, I want to share my thoughts on “The Westing Game” by Ellen Raskin, a 1978 children’s mystery novel that has left me with mixed feelings.

To cut to the chase: I don’t believe “The Westing Game” belongs in the Fortress Fiction canon. While it’s a competently written book, I found it unsuitable for its intended audience and lacking in the moral substance I look for in children’s literature.

Raskin’s prose is undeniably skillful, and her cultural critiques are sharp. The characters, including a groundbreaking black female judge, are refreshingly flawed and human. However, the book’s content often feels too adult for its young audience, while simultaneously employing a goofiness that comes across as talking down to children.

The mystery plot, which Raskin apparently constructed as she wrote, didn’t resonate with me. It felt convoluted and, at times, nonsensical. The humor often struck me as mean-spirited, and some scenarios bordered on uncomfortable for a children’s book.

That said, I want to emphasize that Raskin was a talented writer and illustrator. Her other works, particularly her illustrations, are likely worth exploring. My critique is specifically of “The Westing Game” and its suitability for young readers.

On a more positive note, I’m excited to announce that the next book in my Fortress Fiction series will be “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum. This classic holds a special place in my heart, and I’m looking forward to analyzing its virtues and its place in children’s literature.

Lastly, I want to share some personal news. During my hiatus from Fortress Fiction, I’ve been working on my own middle-grade novel, tentatively titled “Grobug Chronicles.” It’s a 23,000-word story about magical bugs battling monsters. I’m currently in the editing and feedback stage, and I’m excited to share more details as the project progresses.

If you’re interested in following my writing journey or want to be notified when “Robochronicles” is available, please sign up for my newsletter on my website. And as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on “The Westing Game” or any of the books we’ve discussed in Fortress Fiction.

Until next time, happy reading!