The Westing Game (1978)
About This Book
Sixteen people are named as potential heirs to the fortune of eccentric millionaire Sam Westing, and to claim the inheritance, they must solve the puzzle of who among them is the murderer. Raskin parcels out clues with fiendish precision, pairing the heirs into teams and feeding each pair different information so that no one has the full picture. Rereading the book after you know the answer is almost more fun than reading it the first time.
Why It's a Classic
Ellen Raskin constructed one of the most intricately plotted puzzles in all of literature, not just children's literature, and the level of craft involved becomes staggering once you realize how carefully every name, every detail, and every throwaway line was placed. The sixteen characters are drawn from different races, ages, and economic backgrounds, and Raskin uses the mystery framework to explore how people's assumptions about each other lead them astray. The book rewards intelligence and attention in its readers, treating them as partners in the puzzle rather than passive observers waiting for the solution. Its Newbery Medal in 1979 recognized a book that respected young readers' capacity for complexity in a way that few authors had attempted before.
Fun Fact
Raskin was also an acclaimed graphic designer and illustrator who designed the covers for over a thousand books, including the original cover of A Wrinkle in Time. She spent two full years plotting The Westing Game before writing a single sentence of prose, filling notebooks with charts, diagrams, and timelines to make sure every clue landed perfectly.
Parent Note
The plot involves a supposed murder and some mild deception among characters, but there is no violence or content that would trouble most readers. The complexity of the puzzle can challenge younger tweens, and some kids enjoy rereading it or working through the clues with a parent.
Quick Facts
- Year
- 1978
- Type
- 📚 Book
- Category
- Mystery
- Age Group
- Tweens (Ages 11–13)