What Parents Should Know
Parents should know that this book was not originally
intended for children. The violence is, at times, quite brutal,
children kill other children, though unintentionally, and the
main character is admired for his ruthlessly efficient
violence, though he himself is disturbed by it.
There's so much here to discuss, and the story itself is so gripping, that a discussion group could spend months on it. Among topics including politics and the military, the major subject is education, and how it can be efficiently achieved if the ultimate well-being of the student is not a consideration.
Common Sense Media Review
Considered by some to be the best SF novel ever written,
winner of slews of awards, "Ender's Game" hits the trifecta:
deeply emotional and character-driven, brilliantly
intellectual, and exciting as all get-out. This is the kind of
book the phrase "page-turner" was invented to describe: most
people finish it in one sitting, unable to put it aside. But
the images and ideas linger long after the last thrilling page
is turned, making it a perfect discussion book, even for
reluctant readers. Its view of politics in the internet age is
prescient, especially considering it was written decades ago,
and as a treatise on ruthless education it is without peer.
Though it wasn't originally written for children, it has been adopted by middle- and high-schoolers in droves. Though younger children also sometimes read it, the violence can be quite disturbing to parents: you might want to preview it yourself. But if your kids discover it first, good luck tearing them away from it -- it's one of the rare books that is just as addictive and mesmerizing as any video game.
There are two series that branch off from this common beginning. The Ender Wiggins Saga, which follows Ender, becomes much more cerebral and philosophical, and most children don't get too far with it. The Ender's Shadow series, which follows the other Battle School grads, is more to their taste, having lots more action, along with increasingly complex politics and the empowering vision of kids ruling the world.
From the Book:
But they let go of him. And as soon as they did, Ender
kicked out high and hard, caching Stilson square in the
breastbone. He dropped. It took Ender by surprise -- he hadn't
thought to put Stilson on the ground with one kick. It didn't
occur to him that Stilson didn't take a fight like this
seriously, that he wasn't prepared for a truly desperate
blow.
For a moment, the others backed away and Stilson lay motionless. They were all wondering if he was dead. Ender, however, was trying to figure out a way to forestall vengeance. To keep them from taking him in a pack tomorrow. I have to win this now, and for all time, or I'll fight it every day and it will get worse and worse.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
