1. Why does Sam Westing create the Westing game? He seems to have reasons related to his family, people who knew him before his accident, and his future plans. Consider what his will is intended to achieve. (At the end, the heirs share their interpretations of the "solution." See who aligns most closely with your thoughts.)

2. Angela is the character with whom Raskin said she most identifies, even though most readers view Turtle as the main character, sharing Raskin's knack for finance and the stock market. Discuss the significance of the Westing game for Angela. What is her life like at the start? What brings about her transformation?

3. Why is Crow included in The Westing Game? Westing's reason for involving Crow is one of the book's more subtle elements. How does the game impact Crow?

4. Chris Theodorakis is one of the key heirs. Describe his influence on the lives of the other characters.

5. The Westing Game was written during America's bicentennial celebration. Explain how the book reflects the concept of America as a "land of opportunity."

6. Grace Wexler is, in many respects, trying to shape Angela's life into the one she herself failed to achieve. While many of Grace's negative traits are her own doing, some stem from circumstances beyond her control. How does Grace's situation improve, and how does she address some of her flaws throughout the novel?

7. Examine the parent-child relationships in The Westing Game.

8. Sydelle Pulaski accidentally becomes a Westing heir. What role does she play in the game and among its participants? Can you infer whether the intended heir would have had a different impact?

9. How does the chess game integrate into the plot and themes of the story?