The Westing Game

Author: Ellen Raskin
Formats: Paperback
              Hardcover 
Pages: 192
Recommended Age: 8+

Now here is a classic for the ages. This was one of my all time favorite books I read(and remember) when I was a kid! This is an old-fashioned style mystery. An old millionaire invites a number of, what seem to be, strangers to his hotel for unknown reasons. When he is found dead, it turns out that they are all beneficiaries in his will, except that they won't all inherit anything. The will lays out a puzzle, and whoever solves it gets everything! What follows is a riddle to rival any murder-mystery party, along with fun, crazy antics, and and intrigue.

This is a definite must have and, for most kids, its on at least one of those recommended reading lists they're supposed to read from. Special note, I know its a murder mystery and while their are a couple of relatively suspenseful moments, there's nothing any more scary than in a movie like Disney's The Aristocats, so no need to worry about scaring your kid with it.