Ellen Raskin was born on March 13, 1928 in Wisconsin. She described herself as one who invented numerous characters as a young girl, living out lives that she invented as a game. And such a talent is obvious in her written works.

   She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, wanting to major in journalism. But she saw an amazing art exhibit and changed her major to fine art. She eventually started to freelance as an artist. And, perhaps unknown to a lot of people, she has illustrated not only her own books but many for other writers as well.

   Ellen considered herself an artist before a writer, having won several awards for her artwork. But she also received very high honors for her written works as well. She won Newberry Honors and the Newberry Medal for The Westing Game.

   Ellen married in 1968, and remained with her husband and family until her death in 1984. She provided so much to so many readers. As a young girl, I loved her books so much and I enjoyed meeting the colorful characters and traveling in the interesting plot twists. She was such an amazing and talented writer and artist. And she left something wonderful for all the future young readers to take with them forver.