The Westing Game is a mystery novel written by Ellen Raskin in 1978 that has sold over half a million copies. It tells the story of 16 tenants who are brought together by the reading of Samuel Westing's will. They are divided into groups and must work to solve the mystery of who murdered Samuel Westing. Clues are provided to help uncover both the murderer and more secrets about the tenants themselves. Through twists and turns, the groups play the "Westing Game" to discover the identity of the killer and claim the $200 million prize.

1. THE WESTING GAME
Written by: Ellen Raskin

2. Back-story on the book
• This mystery, written
by Ellen Raskin in
1978, has been hailed
as a masterpiece of
modern mystery
writing.
• A Newbery Award-
Winning story that has
sold over half a
million copies to date.

3. Plot Synopsis
• The Westing Game • The reading of one
tells the story of 16 Samuel Westing’s
tenants of the will. Some have
beautiful Sunset family history with
Towers apartment Mr. Westing, others
complex. All have only heard of
strangers, brought him by chance.
here for one reason.

4. Plot Synopsis Cont…
• As the reading of • One of the heirs
Sam Westing’s seated at the
will commences reading…Was
there’s a large Sam Westing’s
and shocking murderer!
revelation…

5. So the Westing Game Begins!
• In the will, there • These groups had one
were instructions… goal…To solve the
The 16 tenants mystery of which one
were to divide into of them was Sam
8 groups of 2 Westing’s murderer.
(selected by the Uncover the murderer,
recently deceased win the Westing
Mr. Westing Game! (And $200
himself). million!) .

6. The Westing Game Cont…
• The 8 groups each receive $10,000 (for
various expenses) and an envelope
containing clues to the identity of the
murderer.
• In these envelopes were jumbled,
unorganized scraps of paper…Each with a
certain word that would help uncover the
mystery, and more about the tenants
themselves.

7. Samuel Westing
• Samuel Westing is “the
main character” of this
story, even though being
recently murdered.
• Throughout the book Sam
Westing speaks to the
group of players through
various excerpts from his
will. So, even without him
being there, he is still the
central character with the
most to say.

8. CAST OF CHARACTERS (In their
groups)
• Group 1 • Group 5
– Madame Sun Lin Hoo: Cook, and – Grace Windsor Wexler: Heiress,
Jake Wexler: A Doctor and James Shin Hoo: Restaurant
• Group 2 Owner
– Turtle Wexler: daughter, and Flora • Group 6
Baumbach: Dressmaker – Berthe Erica Crow: Soup Kitchen
• Group 3 volunteer, and Otis Amber: Paper
– Christos Theodorakis: deliverer
Birdwatcher, and Denton Deere: • Group 7
Intern at plastic surgery hospital – Theo Theodorakis: Brother, and
• Group 4 Doug Hoo: High School track star
– Alexander McSouthers: • Group 8
Doorman, and J. J. Ford: Supreme – Sydelle Pulaski: Secretary, and
Court judge Angela Wexler: None

9. More About “The Game”
• In a very interesting • The book takes incredible
feature of the amounts twists and
turns…Through blizzards,
story…The Reader bombings, and power
receives all the clues failures, the game never
necessary to solving stops being played!
the mystery right at Everyone is a suspect.
the start. It’s up to you • Also, the story has an
to see if you can twist ending that not even
before someone else the smartest of the smart
does! could predict!

10. About the Author…
• Ellen Raskin was born and raised in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
• She attended school at the University of
Wisconsin where she received her major in
art.
• She is a Newbery Award and Newbery
Honor award winner.
• She currently resides in New York City.