Critical Reading Guide for READY PLAYER ONE

This critical reading guide helps Thinkers analyse Ready Player One beyond the surface plot. It uses Socratic questions to explore core themes like escapism, identity, the 'reality' of virtual spaces, and the hero's journey. The guide includes fun challenges, such as creating an avatar profile and debating the OASIS's true impact, to sharpen Thinkers' analytical skills and engage deeply with the novel's commentary on technology and society. Can this guide be used with the movie? YES. The focus of the guide is on the ideas of the book which are well engaged with in the movie, so the guide is very much useful and relevant for the movie. We might even suggest that reading the book and comparing it with the movie would be a fun activity. A note on the book for parents: this is an engaging book exploring a world where most live their lives online rather than in the reals world. The book uses profanity (f-word), the main character notes a lack of belief in religion, and there are some allusion to sex. There is also violence. Our discussion guide does not focus on these topics.