That book is Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. It is a science fiction novel that appeals to both teens and adults and it is awesome. The book is about a very young boy named Andrew Wiggin ("Ender") who is taken from his family and sent off to a school out in space.
The school is training possible future commanders of the international fleet that protects Earth and it is that fleet that will fight the "Buggers" in an anticipated third war. The Buggers are an insect-like intelligent species that tried to colonize Earth earlier and fortunately failed. Ender is a brilliant boy, and is found to be particularly brilliant when it comes to the tactics necessary to fight the Buggers. However, Ender's life is also lonely and harsh and he struggles with some of things he has done in the past and still has to do to survive.
The book has a twist toward the end that really surprised me when I first read it and still impressed me the second time around. Even if you don't normally read science fiction, give this a try. It is dramatic, thought provoking and still really great 27 years later.
- Betsey S.
I agree with you totally! I must have read this book for the first time in high school for a summer reading list. I have now been reading it at least 3 times a year...and I'm now in my 30's! Everytime I read it I feel like I enjoy it more! I really hope the movie (coming out next year) does the book justice. Thank you for blogging about this book, hopefully more children will read it and love it as I do!
ReplyDeleteIt is a good one, certainly. A friend had me read it in high school. Well written as I recall. Good to know it is at least that excellent still.
ReplyDeleteI'd forgotten about the movie! Thanks for the reminder, Stacey. Always interesting to see what they'll do in transposing it to the silver screen.
ReplyDeleteI do this with "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Witch of Blackbird Pond". As I get older I identify with different characters in the books so it becomes like reading a totally different book. As a child I thought it was obvious that of course Atticus would fight the good fight. As an adult with children of my own I realize what kind of courage that takes. It tends to make them fresh all over again. Plus it takes you back to the time you read them in the beginning and reminds you of how much you've changed.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I read the Chronicles of Narnia as a kid and then again in college. A very different experience. And now I think I should read "To Kill a Mockingbird" again! Thanks for your comments!
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