Friday, June 23, 2017

Book Beginnings: The Westing Game


The Westing Game, by Ellen Raskin (first published 1978). These are the book's first lines:
The sun sets in the west (just about everyone knows that), but Sunset Towers faced east. Strange!
Sunset Towers faced east and had no towers.
About the Book:
The mysterious death of an eccentric millionaire brings together an unlikely assortment of heirs who must uncover the circumstances of his death before they can claim their inheritance.
Initial Thoughts:

Lately I've been having a really hard time sticking with any book long enough to finish it, and sometimes a good children's book will give me a little jump start and get me back on track. The Westing Game was the winner of the 1978 Newbery Medal, the annual prize handed out to the most distinguished literary work for young people. I've had it on my "must read" list for decades and I finally picked up a copy recently and thought maybe now might be a good time to give it a look. So far, it's holding my interest — and it's a fairly short read, so I'm hoping I'll actually stay with this one right to the end!

What about you? Do you ever read children's lit or books written for young adults? Do you have any strategies for overcoming the dreaded reading slump? And would that opening draw you in and keep you reading?




Rose City Reader hosts Book Beginnings on Friday.  As she says, the idea is to post the first sentence (or so) of the book you're currently reading, along with any first impressions or thoughts you have about the book, the author, etc.  It's a wonderful way of adding new books to your must-read list, and a chance to connect with other readers and bloggers.


3 comments:

  1. Oh yes, I read children's books. In fact, I've got a blog devoted to them, mostly nonfiction (http://blog.wrappedinfoil.com/). With all the distractions in life, particularly the internet, it can be hard to focus on quiet reading time. I bought a T-shirt that reads "I never finish anythi" which I wear to remind me to focus and finish. Good luck staying with it.

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  2. I loved this back when I was in middle school! Happy Friday! :)

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  3. I haven't read children's books since my own kids and grandkids were small, and those were picture books. I read some Newbery award winners, along with Caldecotts, when I took a course in Children's Literature many, many years ago. But they were delightful.

    Thanks for sharing...and enjoy.

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