Author
Ellen Raskin
2 books here
Figgs & Phantoms
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 820L · 1974
Raskin's linguistic and structural playfulness (nested stories, puns, invented words) makes this a secret delight for kids ready for language games—funny and weird enough to reread, substantial enough not to feel like fluff.
The Westing Game
Middle grade · ages 10–14 · 760L · 2009
A cunningly constructed locked-room mystery for middle grade that respects kid intelligence; rereading is half the pleasure as you catch the clues you missed.