Life at the opulent Khan estate is full of heartbreak and struggle for Amal-especially when she inadvertently makes an enemy of a girl named Nabila. Then the unimaginable happens-after an accidental run-in with the son of her village's corrupt landlord, Amal must work as his family's servant to pay off her own family's debt. Amal is upset, but she doesn't lose hope and finds ways to continue learning. Her dreams are temporarily dashed when-as the eldest daughter-she must stay home from school to take care of her siblings. Life is quiet and ordinary in Amal's Pakistani village, but she had no complaints, and besides, she's busy pursuing her dream of becoming a teacher one day. Raskin died at the age of 56 on August 8, 1984, in New York City due to complications from connective tissue disease.more

She married Dennis Flanagan, editor of Scientific American, in 1965. She designed dozens of dust jackets for books, including the first edition of Madeleine L'Engle's classic A Wrinkle in Time. Raskin was also an accomplished graphic artist. She received the 1979 Newbery Medal for her 1978 book, The Westing Game. She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and grew up during the Great Depression. Ellen Raskin was a writer, illustrator, and designer. Raskin died at the age of 56 on August 8, 1984, in New York City due to complications from connective tissue disease.

The westing game by ellen raskin