The Virtual Life of Lexie Diamond
Reading Guide
The Virtual Life of Lexie Diamond by Victoria Foyt
About the Book
It’s tough enough for any kid to lose a parent, but 14-year-old Lexie Diamond was actually talking on the cell phone to her mother when she heard the devastating automobile crash. Lexie already spends way too much time alone with her computer, but this tragedy pushes her further into a comforting cyberworld where she believes she can still talk to her mother and escape her real-life troubles. While Lexie is still grieving, her father, recently divorced from Lexie’s mom, introduces her to his new girlfriend, Jane. The more Lexie learns about the woman, the more she is convinced that Jane was responsible for her mother’s death and that she may now be in danger herself. Through her virtual world, Lexie is able to communicate with her mother and uncover the clues that will solve the mystery of her mother’s murder.
Discussion Questions
- How do her father's actions after her mother's death contribute to Lexie’s willingness to believe in the virtual world on her computer?
- How has technology allowed us to create virtual people and worlds on our computers? For example, do you have an avatar on your “Facebook” page? How do virtual worlds, such as Sim City or Teen Second Life, allow you to interact in new ways?
- Lexie’s father tells her that life is a random series of meaningless events, but she believes that someone or something—an energy, Alien in Charge, or Ultimate Power Source—has a blueprint for all things that happen. In what ways are Lexie’s beliefs similar or different from other theories or beliefs, such as chaos theory or predestination?
- Lexie dismisses Wilson as a “surfer” and Zoe as a “dumb terminal” or a “Babe.” Later realizes that she has been narrow-minded about them. What labels do we apply to the people around us? What labels are applied to you? Do those label identify who you really are? How can we avoid labeling people?
- On several occasions, Lexie is shocked when she realizes that she sounds or acts like her mother—using the same words or having a similar reaction to something. How does our family influence us even when we try to be different from them?
Activities
- Victoria Foyt created a short video to introduce The Virtual Life of Lexie Diamond that can be viewed at www.lexiediamond.com. After reading the novel, develop a script for a scene. Select cast members and the crew and use a video camera to film your scene.
- Lexie’s bulletin board has drawings on it that were inspired by M. C. Escher. Visit the Official M. C. Escher website at www.mcescher.com/ for samples of his art and quotes from Escher. Use block patterns, tessellations, and interlocking shapes to create your own Escher-esque art.
- Read “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T. S. Eliot, available in many collections or online through the Bartleby.com at www.bartleby.com/198/1.html. Write your own poem about love.
- Make your own “Karma Kong” reminder. Lexie’s was a little black ape attached to a key chain on her backpack.
About the Author
Victoria Foyt is an accomplished actress, director, and screenwriter who grew up in Coral Gables, Florida. In addition to earning a BA in Foreign Languages from the University of Miami, Victoria studied acting in New York and Los Angeles. She has written screenplays for four feature films and several articles that were published in major magazines. The Virtual Life of Lexie Diamond is her first novel. Victoria lives in Santa Monica, California with her two children and a golden Labrador puppy.
Web Links
Victoria Foyt’s Website
www.victoriafoyt.com
Foyt’s official website includes an extensive biography and information about her screenplays and film projects.
The Virtual Life of Lexie Diamond
www.lexiediamond.com
The official website for the book includes the promotional video, information about the Virtual Believers Club, Lexie’s blog, and links to site to help save Planet Earth.