daisycakesco's review
4.0
I read (and still read) the Westing Game a zillion times as a kid. But somehow I missed this one.
mamaorgana80's review
4.0
Trying to figure out who the audience is for this book. Witty and charming.
rouver's review
3.0
I thoroughly enjoyed [b:The Westing Game|902|The Westing Game|Ellen Raskin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1356850909s/902.jpg|869832], so I sought out another title by Raskin. Delightfully, this too, featured a young woman protagonist. She must solve multiple riddles & seek justice for an exceptionally eccentric friend/employer. It has quirky characters & a fun plot. The only things that make it feel awkward are the dated descriptions of a man with a severe intellectual disability and facial injuries he suffered as a result of a car accident (it was first published in 1975). A discussion with any kids who read this would be a good idea, but otherwise I would recommend it as an entertaining read for 9-10+ yr olds.
sbaunsgard's review
4.0
Children's mystery novel from the author of 'The Westing Game' set in New York City. Art student Dickory Dock becomes an assistant to artist Garson. Garson also has Dickory assist him when he consults with the police in cases that require a keen eye for observation. The interesting thing about this book is that it is very external, and does not rely on internal monologues. It is a literary technique that extolls its main point: being observant of what people are doing is an important skill that will tell you many things about people, including some cruel truths. Although the material in here is young adult thematically (the main character's parents were murdered), I would put the reading level younger than that-- it's definitely for a younger crowd than 'The Westing Game.'
I probably read this book a dozen times when I was a kid. Dickory was glamorous to me, everyone in the book has an outrageous name. In a way, I wish it was written at a higher reading level, because that would make it easier to recommend to my friends, who are all adults. If you didn't read it as a kid you'd probably enjoy Susan Patron's 'The Higher Power of Lucky', or E.L. Konigsburg's 'The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place,' more than you would enjoy this. (Both of those are terrific.) On the other hand, I've never read another book that was written like this, much less one for children.
I probably read this book a dozen times when I was a kid. Dickory was glamorous to me, everyone in the book has an outrageous name. In a way, I wish it was written at a higher reading level, because that would make it easier to recommend to my friends, who are all adults. If you didn't read it as a kid you'd probably enjoy Susan Patron's 'The Higher Power of Lucky', or E.L. Konigsburg's 'The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place,' more than you would enjoy this. (Both of those are terrific.) On the other hand, I've never read another book that was written like this, much less one for children.
vanessakm's review
I wanted to check this out since I loved [b:The Westing Game|902|The Westing Game|Ellen Raskin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1356850909l/902._SX50_.jpg|869832] so much, and the late Raskin only wrote four books (she illustrated several more.) But I found this odd and despite being so slender a read, not engaging.
robinfowl's review
4.0
for lovers of the Westing Game (Raskin appears to have some favorite motifs...)
wordnerdy's review
4.0
http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2017/09/2017-book-160.html
Something I read recently reminded me of this book and made me want to reread it--obviously Raskin's The Westing Game is a masterpiece, but her other novels are good too, and underrated. This one involves an art student who goes to work for a painter with a houseful of secrets, and what happens when they begin to assist the police with weird crimes. Which all makes it sound slightly more serious than it actually is, when really it an interesting series of puzzles and compelling characters. I actually learned about a few artists and poets from reading this book as a kid, now that I think about it. Content warning for some ableist language bc it was written in 1975 (one of the characters has brain damage).
Something I read recently reminded me of this book and made me want to reread it--obviously Raskin's The Westing Game is a masterpiece, but her other novels are good too, and underrated. This one involves an art student who goes to work for a painter with a houseful of secrets, and what happens when they begin to assist the police with weird crimes. Which all makes it sound slightly more serious than it actually is, when really it an interesting series of puzzles and compelling characters. I actually learned about a few artists and poets from reading this book as a kid, now that I think about it. Content warning for some ableist language bc it was written in 1975 (one of the characters has brain damage).
twicebaked's review
5.0
UPDATE JUNE 9th 2018 - GUESS WHAT I GOT FOR MY BIRTHDAYEEEE!!
^ ik I use that gif a lot...whatever. It works.
I don't have a whole lot of favorite books so when I say a book is one of my favorites, that means I have a small selection and for some reason this has become one. The Tattooed Potato, however strange the title is, could be one of my all-time favorites. I don't know if it could beat Mara, Daughter of the Nile, but if it can't beat it, it's tied.
This was [almost] as good as The Westing Game, another Ellen Raskin book, and if I were you I would read it as fast as I could (Tattooed Potato, not Westing Game). It's sad but nothing sad happens. It's happy but nothing really happens that would make it that happy. There's something about it that makes you satisfied and leaves you thinking about it for days. It's one of the best books I've read, even though it's confusing and you have to read it twice to really get what it means. Don't be surprised if you read it in a day and come back later to read it over a week! It's an amazing book and I can't think of a single person I wouldn't recommend it to. Really sweet story.
Another reviewer used the word "melancholy" to describe this book. That is one of the best words I've come across for this book. It is, summed up in one word, distinctly and oddly melancholy. For some reason. It's part of why I love it so, so much.
^ ik I use that gif a lot...whatever. It works.
I don't have a whole lot of favorite books so when I say a book is one of my favorites, that means I have a small selection and for some reason this has become one. The Tattooed Potato, however strange the title is, could be one of my all-time favorites. I don't know if it could beat Mara, Daughter of the Nile, but if it can't beat it, it's tied.
This was [almost] as good as The Westing Game, another Ellen Raskin book, and if I were you I would read it as fast as I could (Tattooed Potato, not Westing Game). It's sad but nothing sad happens. It's happy but nothing really happens that would make it that happy. There's something about it that makes you satisfied and leaves you thinking about it for days. It's one of the best books I've read, even though it's confusing and you have to read it twice to really get what it means. Don't be surprised if you read it in a day and come back later to read it over a week! It's an amazing book and I can't think of a single person I wouldn't recommend it to. Really sweet story.
Another reviewer used the word "melancholy" to describe this book. That is one of the best words I've come across for this book. It is, summed up in one word, distinctly and oddly melancholy. For some reason. It's part of why I love it so, so much.