The 13th floor
Scott R. Welvaert
- Reading
- Before reading, mention that the story includes bullying and a game described as violent and gory. Afterwards, discuss which choices felt troubling and whether the ending gives Sam or his friends clear consequences.
- Themes
- Belonging and moral discomfort: Sam joins the popular crowd through a shared online game but is troubled by how they treat other gamers. The situation foregrounds tension between gaining acceptance and feeling uneasy about friends' conduct; the book's final judgement is unclear.
- Violent entertainment and consequences: Sam and his friends obtain a pirated copy of a game banned for violence and gore, then continue playing despite bad things happening. The book?s stance on this remains unclear.
- Worth knowing
- Pay attention to the treatment of bullying, violent and gory game content, and the group’s inability to stop playing. The book may invite reflection on peer pressure, boundaries and responsibility.