Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn't change our picks or your price.
TL;DR: Sixteen people are named heirs of the eccentric millionaire Samuel W. Westing. At the reading of his will, they are split into pairs and given clues, and told that whoever discovers who “took” his life will inherit his fortune. Thirteen-year-old Turtle Wexler cleverly solves the puzzle.
Table of Contents
The Westing Game at a Glance
| Author | Ellen Raskin |
| First published | 1978 |
| Type | Novel |
| Best for | middle grade readers who love puzzles, mysteries and quirky characters |
The Westing Game is a mystery novel by Ellen Raskin, published in 1978. It won the Newbery Medal in 1979 and remains a favorite puzzle book for young readers. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Main Characters
- Turtle Wexler: A sharp, kick-happy thirteen-year-old who loves the stock market.
- Angela Wexler: Turtle's beautiful older sister, engaged to a doctor.
- Samuel W. Westing: The millionaire whose will starts the game.
- Flora Baumbach: A kind dressmaker paired with Turtle.
- Sandy McSouthers: The friendly doorman of Sunset Towers.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
Sunset Towers
A mysterious man rents apartments in the new Sunset Towers building to carefully chosen tenants. Across the way stands the empty Westing mansion, rumored to be haunted. On Halloween, Turtle spends time inside on a dare and finds Samuel Westing's body.
The will
Sixteen heirs gather for the reading of Westing's will. It claims that one of them took his life and divides them into eight pairs, each given $10,000 and a set of word clues. The pair that finds the answer wins the fortune.
The clues
The heirs scramble, swap clues, spy on each other and face a series of bombings in the building. Turtle invests her money in the stock market. Gradually, the clue words turn out to be lines from “America the Beautiful.”
The solution
Turtle realizes that Westing is not dead. He used four identities: Samuel Westing, Barney Northrup, Sandy McSouthers and Julian Eastman. The game was his way of bringing people together and finding a worthy heir.
The ending
Turtle quietly solves the puzzle but keeps the secret. The epilogue shows each heir's future. Turtle visits Westing every Sunday to play chess. When he dies years later, she inherits his fortune and runs his company.
5 Key Takeaways
- Paying attention to small details solves big problems.
- People are more than their first impressions.
- Teamwork can change relationships.
- Wordplay and puzzles can be great fun.
- Patience and cleverness can win the game.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- The answer is often hidden in what is missing.
- Clues often hide in plain sight.
- Unexpected friendships can change lives.
Who Should Read The Westing Game?
Read The Westing Game if you love mysteries and puzzles. It suits readers aged 10 and up, and it is fun to reread.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of The Westing Game:
- How does Turtle solve the puzzle?
- Which pairing changes the most?
- Why did Westing create the game?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether The Westing Game is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of The Westing Game, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
If the summary caught your interest, read the opening chapters before you decide. A summary tells you what happens, but the voice and pacing are what make a book work or not.
Check price of The Westing Game on Amazon
What to Read Next
- The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart: clever children solve puzzles
- Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein: a puzzle adventure
- From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg: a museum mystery
Related: 15 Books Like The Westing Game You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Westing Game about?
Sixteen heirs compete to solve a millionaire's puzzle and win his fortune.
Who wins the Westing Game?
Turtle Wexler.
Is Westing really dead?
No. He disguised himself as other characters.
What song are the clues from?
“America the Beautiful.”
Did it win awards?
Yes, the 1979 Newbery Medal.
What age is it for?
About 10 and up.
How long is it?
About 180 to 200 pages.
Who is Sandy McSouthers?
The doorman, secretly one of Westing's identities.
Why do the heirs work in pairs?
Westing paired unlikely people so that they would get to know each other, which slowly changes their lives.
Who is the bomber?
Angela Wexler, who set off small bombs out of frustration with the life planned for her.
Who are the main characters in The Westing Game?
The main characters are Turtle Wexler, Angela Wexler, Samuel W. Westing, Flora Baumbach and Sandy McSouthers. Turtle Wexler: A sharp, kick-happy thirteen-year-old who loves the stock market. Angela Wexler: Turtle's beautiful older sister, engaged to a doctor. Samuel W. Westing: The millionaire whose will starts the game.
Is The Westing Game worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for middle grade readers who love puzzles, mysteries and quirky characters. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.