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tracyreally's review against another edition
4.0
Is this as good as The Westing Game? Of course not! But come on, it's still Ellen Raskin.
vk124's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
Having loved Raskin's _Westing_Game_, and finding this title oddly funny, I had to read this!
The book is definitely meant for a young audience, perhaps middle-grade. It's separated into sections with mysteries that are being solved through art. These sections are part of a bigger, overall mystery. It was a fun read.
The book is definitely meant for a young audience, perhaps middle-grade. It's separated into sections with mysteries that are being solved through art. These sections are part of a bigger, overall mystery. It was a fun read.
mairiairi's review against another edition
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.
luisasm's review against another edition
5.0
I don't think Ellen Raskin can write anything bad. You love every character, every mystery, every single word. Dickory is fantastically relatable while also being a great heroine. It's funny, really truly funny, in a smile as you're reading way. It's fun, and ridiculous and entertaining, and yet it still manages to be a mystery novel. A great read.
leandrathetbrzero's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
*BOOK RATING CATCH UP #18/54 😳*
Ellen Raskin is a classic children's author, but I had only read The Westing Game prior to this book. She has a great sense of humor while also setting up impressive puzzles for her readers. This book in particular has fun poking fun at the Holmes-Watson dynamic, and I thoroughly enjoyed Dickory as the main character.
CONTENT WARNING: The book includes some archaic language and views on disability. By the end of the narrative, it seems that Dickory learns an important lesson on inclusivity. She creates a bond with a physically and mentally disabled character, whom she had villainized in her head earlier in the story. With that said, it doesn't change how startling the language is throughout the book.
Ellen Raskin is a classic children's author, but I had only read The Westing Game prior to this book. She has a great sense of humor while also setting up impressive puzzles for her readers. This book in particular has fun poking fun at the Holmes-Watson dynamic, and I thoroughly enjoyed Dickory as the main character.
CONTENT WARNING: The book includes some archaic language and views on disability. By the end of the narrative, it seems that Dickory learns an important lesson on inclusivity. She creates a bond with a physically and mentally disabled character, whom she had villainized in her head earlier in the story. With that said, it doesn't change how startling the language is throughout the book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism
minty's review
3.0
This is no Westing Game, of course, but had a lot of shades of that book--including a near-idential opening structure. This read like an Encyclopedia Brown, albeit one where everything does come together at the end. Very cute, would give to any child, but am unlikely to read often as I do The Westing Game.
cmbohn's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Funny story with good characters. The ending was a little rushed, but it was fun. Not her best.
agingerg's review against another edition
3.0
Fun YA read! I especially loved reading this at the same time as I read Crime and Punishment. It made it even more lighthearted and funny than it was meant to be.
kateteaching7and8's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
zazzerpans's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0