The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

*Note from Kiddie L. Critic: This is one of my favorite Children’s books. I give it five stars from start to finish. I enjoyed it as an adult, reading it for my Children’s Literature course, and my third-grade tutoring student could not wait to hear the ending as I read aloud to him. Here is my “book talk” from my Children’s Lit. course:

The Westing Game is a mystery book by Ellen Raskin that continues to keep you guessing. It staggers you from the beginning as sixteen characters are brought together purposefully to buy apartment homes at Sunset Towers somewhere in Wisconsin. Quickly, you come to find out they each are related in some way to Samuel W. Westing, the owner of the mansion on the hill. After his sudden death, he leaves his will for the sixteen heirs telling them, the only way to earn his millions is to play and win the Westing game. The point of the game: to name the heir who murdered him. This book keeps you on the edge of your seat with problem solving, clue finding, and suspicious characters who come to life all too well. The Westing Game is an excellent book to get students interested in problem solving and characterization through a brain teaser plot. So, don’t you think it is time you became a part of The Westing Game?







1. Title: The Westing Game

2. Author: Ellen Raskin

3. Genre: Realistic Fiction - Mystery

4. Awards/Honors: John Newberry Medal

5. Publisher: E.P. Dutton of Puffin Books

6. Copyright: 1978

7. Grade/Age Level: 3rd and up

8. Basic Overview: The setting occurs in the state of Wisconsin by Lake Michigan in an apartment building called Sunset Towers and a mansion down the road known as the Westing house. The characterization in this book is outrageous. There are sixteen members involved in a “whodunit” case about the murder of Samuel W. Westing who claims these sixteen members are his nieces and nephews and future heirs to his fortune. The one who inherits all the millions is decided by being the one who wins the game, The Westing Game. Each person’s character grows and expands into something more as the plot unfolds. None of the characters are static characters. In this story, you get a chance to hear what everyone is thinking about one another. The point of view jumps from character to character. The start of the story lays the foundation for setting and characterization while rising through the supposed murder of Mr. Westing. To keep the story rising to its high point, we read of bombings and thievery. As Turtle’s court takes place, the rising action is coming to a close, and the climax hits when the fireworks go off, and turtle speeds off to find Mr. Eastman. The falling action is occurring while the other fifteen members try to figure the mystery out still, and the denouement sends with happy ending about each character’s future.

9. Why is it quality literature?: This book makes the characters seem true to life and believable. The plot is convincing and description telling. The book is a complete whole which introduces new situations and originality to the reader, giving them a new point of view. This book is definitely quality literature.

10. Is it ESOL speaker oriented?: This book most definitely enhances the intellectual needs of students by providing an example of problem solving. Students are witnessing the finding out of a crime. As well, this book is also good for social needs by producing many different characters. Students can learn how to deal with the personalities of others better by reading this book.

11. How can teachers use it?: Read this provocative passage aloud – Page 86- 88 – Beginning with “I can’t drive you home…” to “I must look a mess.’” This passage portrays the hidden feelings or secrets of both Angela Wexler and Sydelle Pulaski. These are the two characters whom I feel connect with the students socially, for they are hiding what they truly want. For Sydelle it is attention while for Angela, it is to make her own decisions in life. The theme can cover a great span of students from “Never exclude others” to “Listen to your own heart or mind.” It is an excellent passage to break the barriers some students put up to hide their true feelings.

12. How can parents use it?: Get your child really involved with this story, using the clues to find out the ending, and predicting what may happen. This will enhance comprehension skills in the classroom and problem solving in real life. Also, they may have the student choose their favorite character, write out a monologue they think the character might say at one point, then act it out. How fun would that be to do at home?!

12. Accessibility: Moderately Accessible. It is an older book and may not be in all school or local libraries. However, get it now at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Westing-Game-Ellen-Raskin/dp/B000R0VP7A/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237223857&sr=8-4 .
It also came out as a full-length feature film in 2004: http://www.amazon.com/The-Westing-Game/dp/B000941CYU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1237224603&sr=8-2 .



Kiddie L. Critic