The westing game By: Ellen Raskin

The westing game Point of view- 3rd person omniscient- the narrator knows all of the character’s inner thoughts and feelings Genre- mystery Author’s purpose- entertain

The westing game Summary A bizarre chain of events begins when sixteen unlikely people gather for the reading of Samuel W. Westing’s will. And though no one knows why the eccentric, game-loving millionaire has chosen a virtual stranger– and possible murderer– to inherit his vast fortune, one thing’s for sure: Sam Westing may be dead…but that won’t stop him from playing one last game!

Dressmaker ? Secretary ? Inventor ? Doctor ? Judge ? Bookie ? Preview of characters Dressmaker ? Secretary ? Inventor ? Doctor ? Judge ? Bookie ? Burglar ? Bomber ? Mistake ? Child ?

Chapter 1- sunset towers chapter 2- ghosts or worse

After chapter 1-- Sunset towers Faces east (even though sun sets in the west) Glass apartment building, 5 stories high, NO towers Barney Northrup--leased the apartments to people Page 2: “…there was no such person as Barney Northrup.” View of the Westing mansion (believed to be empty for last 15 years) INTERESTING!! (from page 5) “Whoever, whatever else he was, Barney Northrup was a good salesman. In one day he had rented all of Sunset Towers to the people whose names were already printed on the mailboxes in an alcove off the lobby.”

Sunset towers SUNSET TOWERS APARTMENTS Office: Dr. Jake Wexler Lobby: Theodorakis Coffee Shop 2C: Flora Baumbach 2D: Theodorakis family 3C: S. Pulaski 3D: Wexler family 4C: Hoo family 4D: J.J. Ford 5: Shin Hoo’s restaurant

After chapter 1 & 2— questions Who do you think really wrote the letters signed by (the fake) Barney Northrup? Why do you think these strangers are being placed together in the same apartment complex?

After chapter 1 & 2— questions Why is smoke coming from the chimney of the Westing mansion? Do you think Turtle, Doug, and Theo will try to go visit the Westing house to see if Sam’s body is still there?

Ch. 3- tenants in and out ch. 4- the corpse found

After chapters 3 & 4— questions How can you tell Mrs. Wexler prefers Angela over Turtle? Find evidence in the book. Vocabulary word: podiatrist (page 13-14) “…showed through the podiatrist’s thinning light brown hair…Jake Wexler almost cut off her little toe along with the corn.” What kind of doctor is Jake Wexler?

After chapters 3 & 4— questions What can you infer about J.J. Ford? Infer about her relationship with Sam? (page 16) “So Sam Westing has come home at last. Well, she could sell the car, take out a bank loan, pay him back– in cash. But would he take it?” What did Turtle see when she entered the house? How was it different from the story Sandy told the kids?

After chapters 3 & 4— the newspaper article Obituary- news article that reports the recent death of a person, account of a person’s life, funeral arrangements READ A COPY OF THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ABOUT SAM WESTING’S LIFE

Ch. 5- sixteen heirs ch. 6- the westing will

Before chapter 5 Heir- (pronounced like “air”) A person legally entitled to the property of another person upon that person’s death Invalid- (pronounced “in-ve-lid”) Word used to describe Chris, meaning a person made weak or disabled by illness

Before chapter 6 coroner- (pronounced like “core-o-ner”) A government official who certifies when someone has passed away, may lead investigations if the cause of death is unknown (Dr. Sidney Sikes job in Westing County) Will- a legal document which names the distribution of property and who will manage the estate (home) READ CHAPTER 6, THEN ANALZYE SAMUEL WESTING’s WILL

After chapter 5 & 6— questions Which character is Turtle suspicious of? Why? Why do you think Sam Westing would pick an inexperienced, young lawyer? Do you think these people are actually related or just connected to Sam Westing? Why do you think this? READ SAM WESTING’S WILL

Chapter 7- The westing game

after chapter 7- questions READ SAM WESTING’S WILL Who do you think is responsible for moving the chess piece? (p. 7- with Theo) Quote: p. 40 “It will be up to the other players to discover who you really are.” (from Westing’s will) Quote: p. 46 “Some are not who they say they are, and some are not who they seem to be. Whoever you are, it’s time to go home.”

Ch. 8- the paired heirs

clues FOR PLAIN GRAIN SHED (Chris Theodorakis & Dr. Denton Deere) SEA MOUNTAIN AM O (Turtle Wexler & Flora Baumbach) FRUITED PURPLE WAVES FOR SEA (Grace Wexler & James Hoo) HIS N ON TO THEE FOR (Doug Hoo & Theodorakis) SKIES AM SHINING BROTHER (Sandy McSouthers & J.J. Ford) GOOD GRACE FROM HOOD SPACIOUS (Sydelle Pulaski & Angela Wexler) WITH THY BEAUTIFUL MAJESTIES (Crow & Otis Amber) OF AMERICA AND GOD ABOVE (Madame Hoo & Jake Wexler)

Clues p. 57 HINT!! The number she (JJ Ford) dialed was answered on the first ring. “Hi there, this is a recording of yours truly, Barney Northrup. I’m at your service– soon as I get back to the office, that is. Just sing out your problem to old Barney here when you hear the beep.”

clues O beautiful for spacious skies,  For amber waves of grain,  For purple mountain majesties  Above the fruited plain!  America! America!  God shed his grace on thee  And crown thy good with brotherhood  From sea to shining sea! 

clues O beautiful for spacious skies,  For amBER waves of grain,  For purple mountain majesties  Above THE fruited plain!  AmERICA! America!  God shed his grace on thee  And CROWn thy good with brotherhood  From sea to shining sea! 

after chapter 9- questions Now that you know about Mr. Hoo’s connection to Sam Westing? Are you more or less suspicious of him?

Chapter 9- Lost & Found Chapter 10- the long party Chapter 11-the meeting

after chapter 10 & 11- questions p. 60 “There are sixteen white pieces and sixteen black pieces in chess.” “Theo must think the Westing game has something to do with chess. He may be right, it certainly is as complicated as a chess game.” Any connections?? What do you think Turtle’s real name is? Tabitha Ruth or Alice? Why would she lie?

Ch. 12- the first bomb ch 13- the second bomb

after chapter 12 & 13- questions Good grief! Her finger stopped near the top of the list. Was it a coincidence or dumb luck? Or was she playing right into Sam Westing’s hand? No choice but to chance it. The judge dialed the number and tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for an answer. “Hello. If you’re looking for a snowbound private investigator, you’ve got the right number.” Yes, she had the right number. It might be a trick, but it was no coincidence. The voices were on and the same.” Who do you think it is??

after chapter 12 & 13- questions Who do you think the bomber is?? Who would have motive to harm all of these locations?? (Use evidence to support.)

Ch. 14-pairs repaired ch. 15-fact and gossip

Ch. 15 “Hoo’s on First” Old reference from 1938- Abbott & Costello comedy routine Who's on First?

Ch. 16- the third bomb ch. 17- some solutions ch. 18- the trackers

after chapter 16-18- questions At the end of Ch. 16, Turtle says to Angela: “Just thanks. The fireworks would have gone off in my face if you hadn’t pulled the box toward you. Here, I brought your tapestry bag; I didn’t look at your notes or clues, honest.” But she had removed the incriminating evidence. Evidence of what??

Ch. 19- odd relatives ch. 20- confessions

after chapter 19 & 20- questions Who is the mistake?? Who is your prediction for Sam Westing’s ex wife??

Ch. 21-the fourth bomb ch. 22- losers, winners

after chapter 20-21- questions What’s your answer to the Westing Game? Do you believe Crow is really guilty?

Ch. 23- strange answers ch. 24- wrong all wrong

Ch. 25- westing’s wake ch. 26- turtle’s trial

Ch. 27- a happy fourth ch. 28- and then… ch. 29- five years pass ch Ch. 27- a happy fourth ch. 28- and then… ch. 29- five years pass ch. 30- the end? p. 202-216