# The Westing Game

**Author:** Ellen Raskin
**Lexile:** 750L
**Grade range:** Grades 5–7
**Age range:** 10–13
**First published:** 1978
**Page count:** 224
**Genre:** Mystery
**ISBN-13:** `9780142401200`
**ISBN-10:** `014240120X`
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/book/the-westing-game
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## About this book

Sixteen heirs of the eccentric millionaire Samuel W. Westing are called to his mansion to solve the mystery of his death — the one who solves it inherits his fortune. Winner of the 1979 Newbery Medal and a 5th-7th grade staple for teaching logic, character, and plot structure.

## Themes

- mystery
- identity
- teamwork
- deception
- justice

## Where this book is assigned

### Boston Globe–Horn Book Award

- **recommended** · 5th grade — [source: Boston Globe–Horn Book Award winners, via Wikipedia — 1978 Winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Globe%E2%80%93Horn_Book_Award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade — [source: Boston Globe–Horn Book Award winners, via Wikipedia — 1978 Winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Globe%E2%80%93Horn_Book_Award)
- **recommended** · 7th grade — [source: Boston Globe–Horn Book Award winners, via Wikipedia — 1978 Winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Globe%E2%80%93Horn_Book_Award)

### Common Core State Standards (ELA)

- **required** · 5th grade — [source: CCSS ELA grades 4-5 Newbery Medal mystery exemplar](https://achievethecore.org/page/2699)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Illinois — [source: IL ELA grade 5 — Chicago-set Newbery winner](https://www.isbe.net/)
- **recommended** · 6th grade — [source: CCSS ELA grades 6-8 mystery genre exemplar](https://achievethecore.org/page/2699)

### Newbery Medal

- **recommended** · 3rd grade — [source: Newbery Medal (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 1979 Newbery Medal winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newbery_Medal)
- **recommended** · 4th grade — [source: Newbery Medal (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 1979 Newbery Medal winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newbery_Medal)
- **recommended** · 5th grade — [source: Newbery Medal (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 1979 Newbery Medal winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newbery_Medal)
- **recommended** · 6th grade — [source: Newbery Medal (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 1979 Newbery Medal winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newbery_Medal)
- **recommended** · 7th grade — [source: Newbery Medal (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 1979 Newbery Medal winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newbery_Medal)

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