Floors
#1 of 3 in Floors Series
What’s inside...
Charlie had his chocolate factory. Stanley Yelnats had his holes. Leo has the wacky, amazing Whippet Hotel. The Whippet Hotel is a strange place full of strange and mysterious people. Each floor has its own quirks and secrets. Leo should know most of them - he is the maintenance man's son, after all. But a whole lot more mystery gets thrown his way when a series of cryptic boxes are left for him . . . boxes that lead him to hidden floors, strange puzzles, and unexpected alliances. Leo had better be quick on his feet, because the fate of the building he loves is at stake . . . and so is Leo's own future!
Character compass
Leo Fillmore
Remi Boudreaux
Ms. Sparks
Discussion points
What would you do if you discovered a mysterious floor in a hotel, just like Leo did?
How do the different floors in the Whippet Hotel reflect the personalities of the people who created them?
Leo shows a lot of bravery throughout the story. Can you think of a time when you were brave and how you felt?
If you could design your own floor in the Whippet Hotel, what would it look like and why?
How do the friendships in the book change from the beginning to the end? What do you think caused these changes?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine and describe their own fantastical floor in the Whippet Hotel—foster creativity by discussing the unique features it would have.
Discuss the theme of bravery by asking your child about personal experiences where they had to be brave, drawing parallels to Leo’s character.
Explore the concept of kindness and its impact by examining how the characters treat each other and how it affects their relationships.
Utilize examples from the book to talk about problem-solving, asking your child how they might handle similar mysterious or challenging situations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout 'Floors', the protagonist, Leo, encounters various puzzles and mysteries within the Whippet Hotel that he needs to solve. His adventures require critical thinking and creativity.
Real-World Application: Children can apply similar problem-solving skills in real-life situations such as school projects or resolving conflicts with peers.
Example Lesson: Friendship and teamwork
Explanation: Leo learns the importance of working with others as he teams up with Remi to unravel the hotel’s secrets. Their collaboration is crucial to their success.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to value teamwork and learn how to cooperate with friends and classmates to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Courage and facing fears
Explanation: Leo often faces dangerous and uncertain situations as he explores hidden floors of the hotel. His bravery in these moments teaches resilience.
Real-World Application: Children learn to confront their fears and challenges, understanding that courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and exploration
Explanation: The story's setting in a magical hotel with hidden floors and bizarre rooms sparks curiosity and invites exploration, key traits exhibited by Leo.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to be curious about the world around them, always eager to learn and discover new things.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: As the story progresses, Leo inherits new responsibilities that teach him about accountability and the importance of fulfilling duties.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand the importance of being responsible in their daily tasks and roles, be it in school or at home.