Level 13, the second Slacker novel, is a rare gem of a book. This book has so much humor, heart, and wit that it is a joy to read throughout. This story of one boy’s quest to become a popular internet streamer will resonate with kids who are gamers, ane possibly even aspiring streamers themselves. Although it is written with children in mind, parents of gamers may hearken to this note of resonance, as well.
From beginning to end, each chapter is told from alternative characters’ points of view, and as a result the tone and attitude of the internal dialogue varies from chapter to chapter. This adds a depth to each of the characters that could not be achieved if the action focused on only one character, and it provides multiple viewpoints. Something that may be an utter catastrophe to one character may seem like a windfall when narrated by another. All the characters in this book are very likeable, and spending time with them as narrators really makes them relatable.
The plot of this book is complex and diverse, with many different plots merging into one story. While this book will appeal to gamers, certainly, there is also plenty to like for the bookworm, the romantic, and the scientist to name a few. The individual stories that make up this narrative’s whole are as distinctive as the students at a junior high can be. Yet all of these myriad narratives fit together perfectly when taken as a whole.
This book is one that I highly recommend to middle graders, and even young junior high students may find that the only thing not to like about it is how quickly it is over.
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Scholastic
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: None
Violence/Gore: None of the violence in this book results in major injury or bloodshed. A character breaks his phone; characters fall or knock each other down a few times; characters play video games with violence in them such as shooting aliens, car wrecks, or war violence a few times, but no graphic violence is detailed; a character hits another in a good-natured manner a few times; tables and vendor booths are knocked over; a character hits another with a table; report of a previous sports injury; a bicycle wreck; a few instances of minor property damage; a character is briefly very ill.
Sex/Nudity: A character muses happily about his girlfriend, and others make fun of him for it; a character continually tries to impress a girl, and his friends mock him; mention that an animal is looking for a mate; a few discussions of how having a girlfriend makes a boy into a worse friend; a girl hugs a boy; a couple breaks up and is sad about it; a character kisses a girl’s hand chivalrously.
Mature Subject Matter:
The ethics of cheating on schoolwork is a prominent theme; stalking.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
None
