Common Sense Media Review
By Kyle Jackson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Would-be heirs compete for a fortune in classic mystery.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Based on 33 kid reviews
Kids say that this book elicits strong reactions, with some praising its intricate plot and surprising twists while others criticize it for being confusing and not enjoyable. Its mix of mystery, humor, and some darker themes has led to a divide in opinions, with recommendations for ages varying widely depending on the reader’s maturity and comprehension skills.
- strong reactions
- intricate plot
- confusing narrative
- recommended for ages 10+
- mixed genre appeal
- varying opinions
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
THE WESTING GAME, originally published in 1978, is a Newberry-winning mystery by accomplished YA novelist Ellen Raskin. The story follows a wild competition for the enormous inheritance of paper-products magnate Sam Westing, who has set up his 16 "heirs" in an apartment complex near the old man's mansion on a hill on Lake Michigan. The new residents of Sunset Towers are an eclectic bunch, most of whom have some connection to Westing, whether they know it or not. They're all shocked, however, to find they've been named as potential heirs to his $200 million estate, but first they must participate in a game with vague rules and hidden goals, masked in wordplay in his will and revealed in bits and pieces of clues given to each pair of heirs (eight teams of two). The object of the game is to find the murderer of Sam Westing, who's alleged to be living among them, which raises the stakes and paranoia significantly. Cunning, greed, and deductive reasoning infect the game, making everyone a suspect and nobody worthy of trust. There are twists, turns, and stunning revelations, the final great triumph of the mysterious and eccentric millionaire Samuel W. Westing.
Is It Any Good?
Compelling and convoluted from the start, this gripping mystery never takes its foot off the gas pedal. Every scene contains confounding clues, the reveal at the end is satisfying, and the writing is excellent throughout. The characters are familiar but nuanced enough to seem authentic, and their often-uneasy interactions are a testament to the clash of cultures that occurs when people are thrown into unexpected intimacy with strangers. Readers won't want to put down this page-turner until they find the tantalizing answer to the 200-million-dollar question: Who killed Sam Westing?
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the slow but steady revelation of clues. When did you figure out the answer to the Westing game? How does the winner figure it out?
What makes a satisfying mystery? What are some of your favorite mystery stories?
Why do you think Sam Westing paired the people the way he did? What does each heir contribute to the pair? What was Westing's goal in constructing this elaborate game as part of his will? Do you think he succeeded?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Mystery
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Puffin Books
- Publication date : August 15, 1978
- Number of pages : 192
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Newbery Medal and Honors
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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