The Westing Game

This was one of my favorite books as a child, and one that I bought a copy of as an adult so I could re-read it whenever I was feeling nostalgic for those more laid back days.  I think adults would enjoy this book too - its only 192 pages and is geared towards children ages 9 through 12.

The premise of the book is a mysterious figure named Samuel Westing who dies, and brings 16 people together for the reading of the will.  These people are strangers to each other, although some of them are families, but have all been named as beneficiaries in the will.  But the will turns out to be a contest - a contest to figure out which of the 16 people is Mr. Westing's murderer!

This is an award winning book, winning the Newberry Medal and the Boston Globe/Horn Book award.  It was originally published in 1978 - but I think its just as enjoyable now as I did when I first discovered it as a child.  This was the last book written by Ellen Raskin, who was also an accomplished artist of book jackets.

I don't want to give away too much of the plot of "The Westing Game" and DEFINITELY don't want to spoil the ending, but if you can get a hold of a copy of this book for your child and yourself, I'd definitely recommend it!