Module 5 - The Ender's Game

Book Cover Image

Book Summary

Earth is at war with a race called Buggers. With an inevitable third invasion on the horizon, the international fleet establish a battle school for children.  Andrew Ender Wiggins is chosen to attend the battle school though his two siblings were both deemed unfit for the program. Ender quickly advances through the ranks through war games and takes on a squad of young recruits who he develops into the only undefeated squadron. Believing the training exercises to be simulations Ender along with his battle school friends command many battles against the buggers.  Ender's final test is a simulation against the entire bugger fleet. After the test Ender is told that he had not been commanding simulation but actually battles against the buggers.  Ender falls into deep depression and decides to reside on the planet Endos.  On Endos he finds the egg of a queen bugger and knows he must find a new home for the bugger civilization.

Written by Orson Scott Card.

APA Reference of Book

Card, O.S. (1985). Ender's game. New York, NY: T. Doherty Associates, c1985.

Impressions

Ender's Game is a science fiction book for mature high school students. Card takes readers along on Ender's journey as he realizes that there are consequences to all actions even if they are not intended. When Ender realizes that his need to win has caused the loss of many lives and an entire race of aliens, a strong moral conflict arises. Readers can relate to his internal struggles of good vs evil.  Enders Game paints the picture of a bleak future for Earth and our ruthless nature but it also finalizes with an image of hope for righting wrongs and becoming a better person. 

Professional Review

Gr 7 Up --This new young adult edition of the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning classic sci-fi novel by Orson Scott Card, winner of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for outstanding lifetime contribution to writing for teens, includes an original postscript by the author in which he discusses the origins of the novel is all about leadership. The novel asks: What does it take to successfully lead men into battle? The buggers have invaded Earth twice. The last time mankind survived only because of the brilliance of Mazer Rackham, commander of the International Fleet. Years later, a third invasion is feared and a new commander is sought. Ender Wiggin is only six years old when he is plucked to succeed Rackham and sent to the space station Battle School. He is isolated, ridiculed, bullied, and persecuted--but he survives and thrives. Using his astonishing intelligence, the boy learns to be a top-notch solider and, despite his youth and small stature, is quickly promoted up the ranks. By the age of 12, Ender learns the art of command and earns the respect and fear of his fellow soldiers. This audio version was created in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the novel and it's a gem. The audiobook is narrated by a full cast. Stefan Rudniki is particularly good as Ender. Despite Ender's age, this is not a children's novel. Its profound themes (and mild profanity) call for intelligent teens who appreciate a complex novel.

Melgaard, T. (2008). Ender's Game. School Library Journal, 54(12), 70.

Library Uses

Students could compare and contrast the book with the movie that was released in 2013. They could be asked to pay attention to major elements were changed.