Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did you react to the book’s initial setup as a survival story? Horizon is part of a long tradition of “lost world” adventures, but Scott Westerfeld is famous for dystopian works like the Uglies series. What similarities or differences did you notice between this book and his other works or the genres they represent?

2. The novel begins with a fast-paced plane crash and then shifts to a slower, more methodical story of survival and discovery. What did you think of the book’s pacing? Did you find the blend of high-stakes action and scientific problem-solving engaging?

3. Horizon ends on a cliffhanger, with the survivors beginning a new journey. How did you feel about this ending? Did it leave you excited for the next installment, or were you hoping for more resolution in this book?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Team Killbot’s success relies on their ability to work together, valuing each member’s expertise. Think about a time when you had to collaborate with a group under pressure. How did your team’s dynamic compare to the one shown in the book?

2. Javi begins the story overwhelmed by fear but grows into a brave and resourceful member of the team. Can you recall a time when a challenging situation pushed you past your own perceived limits and helped you discover an inner strength?

3. The survivors all bring different skills to the table, from Molly’s leadership and Anna’s scientific mind to Yoshi’s combat skills and Kira’s keen observation. If you found yourself in a similar survival scenario, what unique skill or quality do you think you would contribute to the group?

4. Which survivor’s approach to problem-solving did you relate to most? Do you tend to rely more on systematic logic and data like Anna, or do you favor intuition and hands-on experience like Yoshi?

5. Yoshi’s katana is a symbol of his family heritage that becomes an essential tool. Think about an object, skill, or tradition that connects you to your own family or cultural background. How has it shaped who you are?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The novel was designed as a multimedia experience, with a video-game component meant to expand the story. What do you think this says about modern storytelling?

2. Team Killbot is a group of highly intelligent and technically skilled teenagers who are consistently underestimated by the adult world, as represented by the disapproving robot-competition judge and even Caleb. What does the novel suggest about the capabilities of young people, especially when faced with challenges that adults fail to resolve?

3. The story updates the classic “lost world” trope (See: Background) for a contemporary audience. In what ways does Horizon’s focus on technology, engineering, and collaboration feel distinctly modern?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Caleb’s brief and tragic arc is a counterpoint to the robotics team’s methods. How does the novel use Caleb’s character to critique traditional authoritarian leadership styles?

2. What does the gravity device represent in the story? How does the characters’ understanding and use of it evolve?

3. How does Yoshi serve as a foil to Team Killbot? What does his eventual integration into the group suggest about the different kinds of knowledge and skills necessary for survival?

4. The narrative shifts between the perspectives of several different characters. What is the effect of seeing the events unfold through multiple viewpoints? How did this choice shape your connection to the characters and your understanding of the group’s dynamics?

5. What is the significance of the recurring motif of circular tree formations? How does this environmental clue guide the characters, and the reader, toward the truth that the jungle is an artificial construction?

6. Molly transforms after she’s injured by the giant bird. How does this event change her leadership style?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you’ve discovered a hidden journal written by one of the unseen engineers of the rift valley. What would an entry from this journal reveal about the purpose of their massive experiment?

2. If you were tasked with creating a survival guide for future castaways in this artificial jungle, what would be your top three rules? What dangers or resources would you highlight first?

3. Think about the various creatures that the survivors encounter, like the shredder birds and the tanglevine. Design a new lifeform that would fit into this engineered ecosystem. What would it be called, what unique abilities would it have, and how would it interact with the valley’s technology?