The 13th Floor

by Scott R. Welvaert

Sam Wentworth is not sure about his new friends. On his first day at a new school, Sam is surprised to fall in with the popular crowd—it’s all because he plays the same online video game as some of the football players. Still, he’s bothered by the way they bully other gamers. When they get their hands on a pirated copy of The 13th Floor, a game banned for violence and gore, Sam and his new friends find the game so hypnotic that they can't stop playing, even after bad things start happening to them.

96 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 18, 2014

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brought this one home to read after an angry parent threatened to call the district office yesterday... It's part of the Tartan House series, and I bought it last year when trying to build up the hi/lo collection of our library. And on that note, it fulfills its goal entirely. Rated at a 4th-5th grade reading level with fewer than 100 pages, this one is definitely high interest, especially for kids who are gamers or like watching gory movies. Sam is new at school and falls in with the popular kids over their mutual love of video games. When one of the guys gets a bootlegged copy of The 13th Floor game (which is evidently banned in the US), they all become so immersed, they can't escape, and it begins to take over their lives. The game IS really gory. Set in an abandoned insane asylum, there are blood and guts everywhere. I can understand the parent's disgust. However, it does exactly what it set out to do, which is engage reluctant readers to keep flipping the pages. I don't know. I think I could argue its merit if this actually becomes a challenge, but we shall see. Sigh...southern living.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This will really appeal to kids who are avid gamers. It was a bit didactic, but overall very suspenseful and captivating.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this one because it was questioned by a parent who read it with their 6th grade student. It's short, superficial, pretty gory without being too descriptive, and kind of disturbing. I don't know if the parent & student read the entire book, but at the end of the book you learn that sadistic "doctor" in the game is a grown-up version of a boy who was bullied to death, and the point of the video game [if the player survives] is to get players to stop bullying people and spread a message of anti-bullying. (Also: revenge.)
From the publisher's website, about the entire Tartan House series: "Each high-interest story in the Tartan House line features edgy topics and crisp writing that resonate with today’s upper-grade readers. The brisk but meaty storylines are guaranteed page-turners full of intrigue." I can see how older students with lower decoding/comprehension skills, especially gamers and fans of horror, might enjoy this.
Since it says the stories will resonate with "upper-grade readers," I think I agree with the parent that this is a bit mature for 4th-6th grade readers. We'll follow procedure and have a committee of adults read it before making a final decision on its inclusion (or not) in our upper elementary library; it would likely work better for an older audience.

[Genesis Gooden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like it because Sam is the only one left after Johnny has a seizure and he meets "Doctor Mella Deltaplest" and the deny it because He is "dead". Sam is an awesome kid with great power and imagination.

[psycho · Rating 3 out of 5]

other quick creepy read

[Aiden Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though it was short it was by far maybe one of my favorite books. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking to try out a new book.

[Thomas Cornwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good horror-mystery combo. This book will continuously grab you attention and you won't want to stop reading until you finish.

[Trey]

hi

[Kokichi]

gud bok

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ive read this book before and it is really good. 5 star rating for sure.

[Lailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a real page-turner! I couldn't put it down. The suspense was incredible.

[Stargirl]

A scary short story that does tell a little something about bullying. Warning, the doctor will make anyone a little paranoid.

[Danielle C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“ The game is simple. Find me before you go insane”. Sam and his new friends start to get sucked in a video game banned for its violence and vulgar ways. They won’t stop playing until the very end. Even if it takes the only thing holding them together, their sanity.
The way Scott R. Welvaert captures your attention like a spider’s web with his graphic details and enthralling message left me scrambling to solve the mystery. The struggles his characters face when playing the game unfolds the impact bullying has on its victims and the fight to go against peer pressure. Honestly, there’s not much to critic. Except the audience never seems to catch a break. For instances, red herrings and plot twist had a home in every chapter. Almost like stepping in a minefield. Played with my emotions like a plano but I loved it nonetheless! Kids from 10 to 14 seem to fit the reading level. Mainly because the main character (Sam) gives the impression of a teen who has gone way over his head. Presenting the readers with a mysterious and thrilling read, worthy of creating chills from suspense. “The 13th Floor by Scott R. Welvaert” is a must read that’ll make it on any book list of amazing literature.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good I love this book such a good lesson

[Maisey Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in one day because it's perfect. The story is so suspenseful.

[teeks · Rating 4 out of 5]

had me confused, scared and conflicted in under 100 pages. nice job

[Pareesé · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book full of horror, gore but also a memorable lesson.

[Sarah Armistead]

I definitely wouldn't recommend it if you have a strong imagination and don't like scary books. The only reason why I didn't have nightmares was because I read it in one day.