Profile

Ellen Raskin was born in 1928 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  After a childhood spent during the Great Depressions, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  In addition to writing books for children, Raskin was also a graphic artist and fashion designer.  She designed the original book jacket for A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L’Engle’s acclaimed science fiction book for children.

Raskin wrote and/or illustrated dozens of books, winning the Newbery Medal for 1978’s The Westing Game and a Newbery Honor for the 1975 Figgs & Phantoms.  Sadly, Raskin died in 1984 at the young age of 56 due to a connective tissue disease.

Ellen Raskin on Readers Lane

The Westing Game

Sue Millinocket