The Westing Game - by Ellen Raskin

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.

Book Synopsis

NEWBERY MEDAL WINNER - Ellen Raskin's unforgettable, timeless classic continues to be cherished by young readers of each new generation.

"Great fun for those who enjoy illusion, word play, or sleight of hand." --The New York Times Book Review

A highly inventive mystery begins when sixteen unlikely people gather for the reading of the very strange will of the very rich Samuel W. Westing. They could become millionaires, depending on how they play a game. All they have to do is find the answer--but the answer to what? The Westing game is tricky and dangerous, but the heirs play on--through blizzards, burglaries, and bombings. Sam Westing may be dead ... but that won't stop him from playing one last game!

Ellen Raskin has created a remarkable cast of characters in a puzzle-knotted, word-twisting plot filled with humor, intrigue, and suspense.

Winner of the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award - An ALA Notable Book - A School Library Journal One Hundred Books That Shaped the Century

Review Quotes

Praise for The Westing Game
* "A supersharp mystery...confoundingly clever, and very funny." --Booklist, starred review

"Great fun for those who enjoy illusion, word play, or sleight of hand."--The New York Times Book Review

"A fascinating medley of word games, disguises, multiple aliases, and subterfuges--a demanding but rewarding book."--The Horn Book

About the Author

Ellen Raskin was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and grew up during the Great Depression. She was the author of several novels, including the Newbery Medal-winning The Westing Game, the Newbery Honor-winning Figgs & Phantoms, The Tattooed Potato and other clues, and The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I Mean Noel). She also wrote and illustrated many picture books and was an accomplished graphic artist. She designed dust jackets for dozens of books, including the first edition of Madeleine L'Engle's classic A Wrinkle in Time. Ms. Raskin died at the age of fifty-six on August 8, 1984, in New York City.