Ender's Game

Orson Scott Card. 1977. New York: Tor. 384 pages. ISBN 0-7053-1738-9

Plot Summary: The very brightest of the children are being vetted for the ultimate challenge—to be the commander who can lead the planet’s forces against the extra-terrestrial Buggers, who threaten mankind’s very existence. Considered to be the brightest and best, Ender is taken away from his family at the age of six and sent to Battle School where he undergoes training to be the planet’s hero. As the chosen one, he is given an unending series of tests and challenges. Can he successfully fight and then lead others in warfare? Through playing a sort of laser tag in zero gravity, and computer-simulated space warfare Ender learns to outwit his opponents. But can he learn to live with the person he is being forced to become?

Critical Evaluation: Ender’s Game is action packed and full of thrills. The author’s descriptions of the battles both with people and with computers are vivid and compelling. And though the book is over 30 years old, the technology within the story does not feel dated or quaint. The protagonists of the story may be children but the book is sophisticated dealing with several moral and ethical questions about humankind. The nature of leadership is a central theme of the book. Unlike most in its genre the book casts the future of mankind in a hopeful light. Ender’s Game is a sophisticated read for older teens and adults. Younger teens may still enjoy the action, however.

Reader's Annotation: Can Ender succeed in defeating the alien race of Buggers?

About the author: Orson Scott Card is an American writer of science fiction, contemporary fantasy, biblical novels, an American frontier fantasy series, and many plays and scripts. He grew up in California, Arizona and Utah. Card attended Brigham Young University and majored in theater. While still a student he went on a mission for the LDS church to Brazil. He began his career in writing with plays and musical scripts, including writing for an animated children’s series on the New Testament and Book of Mormon. It was during this period that he began writing Ender’s Game and Speaker for the Dead, that won the Hugo and Nebula Awards for science fiction.

Card also writes a review column (“Uncle Orson Reviews Everything”) and a political/social column (“The Ornery American”). He is now writing poetry and graphic novels. Card is a conservative political activist and is on the Board of the National Association for Marriage. You can visit his website at http://www.hatrack.com/

Genre: Science Fiction - Adventure.

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Booktalking Ideas: Life for Ender is an unending series of tests. Will he keep winning them?

Reading Level/Interest Age: Grades 7 and up.

Why chosen: I picked this book because it was on the ALA's "Ulitmate Young Adult Bookshelf."