Ender’s Game
by Orson Scott Card
Science-Fiction, Young-Adult, Fantasy, Classics, Science-Fiction-Fantasy, Dystopia, War
Andrew “Ender” Wiggin thinks he is playing computer simulated war games; he is, in fact, engaged in something far more desperate. The result of genetic experimentation, Ender may be the military genius Earth desperately needs in a war against an alien enemy seeking to destroy all human life. The only way to find out is to throw Ender into ever harsher training, to chip away and find the diamond inside, or destroy him utterly. Ender Wiggin is six years old when it begins. He will grow up fast. But Ender is not the only result of the experiment. The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway almost as long. Ender’s two older siblings, Peter and Valentine, are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. While Peter was too uncontrollably violent, Valentine very nearly lacks the capability for violence altogether. Neither was found suitable for the military’s purpose. But they are driven by their jealousy of Ender, and by their inbred drive for power. Peter seeks to control the political process, to become a ruler. Valentine’s abilities turn more toward the subtle control of the beliefs of commoner and elite alike, through powerfully convincing essays. Hiding their youth and identities behind the anonymity of the computer networks, these two begin working together to shape the destiny of Earth-an Earth that has no future at all if their brother Ender fails.
Recommendations from Common Sense Media
Age Recommendation: 12+
What Parents Need to Know:
Parents need to know that Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game is a gripping and emotional sci-fi novel that will appeal to older tweens and teens. Originally published in 1985, the dystopian story follows kids who are trained from age 6, mostly by playing simulated battle games, to find a way to wipe out an entire species of alien invaders. The violence is at times quite brutal, as kids kill other kids, and main character Ender is admired for his ruthlessly efficient violence, though he himself is disturbed by it. Some bullying by an older brother is intense and disturbing, and the conclusion to the story is shocking. Occasional strong language includes “s–t,” “ass,” and “bastard,” and there’s potty language throughout. Author Card is an outspoken proponent of racist and homophobic views, and racist language — including the “N” word and antisemitic slurs — is used in the book, though it’s edited in some later versions. The release of the 2013 film adaptation of the novel was accompanied by controversy due to Card’s expressed views and political writings. While the book is a real page-turner and focuses on a pre-pubescent main character, adult themes and complex political and ethical topics may be too intense and confusing for younger readers.
Educational Value: 2/5
Perfect discussion book, even for reluctant readers. Families can talk about if the end always justifies the means, if games desensitize kids to violence, and much more.
Positive Messages: 3/5
Themes of friendship, trust, and loyalty are key. Dedication and sacrifice are important, with limits. On the flip side, expressing emotions is childish and strength is shown by hiding them. Political and ethical questions can be complex and there are no simple answers.
Positive Role Models: 3/5
Ender is bright, curious, hardworking, and has a strong sense of responsibility. He has a natural talent for tactics and combat and kills fellow characters, yet struggles with his conscience and doesn’t take pleasure in hurting others. Ender’s brother Peter is clever and resourceful but power-hungry, engaging in nasty bullying. Most adult characters are morally ambiguous and often show cruelty toward children, though many believe they’re doing so for the greater good.
Diverse Representations: n/a
While characters of different races appear in supporting roles, main character is White and many racist incidents occur. One scene includes use of the “N” word, with main character joking that his grandfather would sell a Black character’s grandfather. There’s no rebuke; the two continue their training. A fictional slang called “giria” is condescendingly described as the “pidgin English of uneducated people.” Offensive reference to an Asian character as “slanty eyed.” Many examples of antisemitism including a character name-called “circumcised dog.” Gender stereotypes are commonplace: Ender’s sister is positioned as the empathetic one of the three siblings. Her older brother calls her “little woman” on one occasion. Few girls are in Battle School because “too many centuries of evolution are working against them.” A female character is highly skilled, but her strength is described as having “more balls than anyone else in the room,” which continues to value boys over girls. Negative language around body size, with a character referred to as “unpleasantly fat.”
Violence & Scariness: 4/5
Violence is frequent and results in the death of several characters. It’s vicious in places — made more so considering it’s mostly between children. Physical fights include kicking and punching, with torn ears, broken limbs, and blood from the nose, mouth, and eyes. Particularly grisly scenes take place within dreams and computer games, including deboning a character “like a fish,” burrowing into an eye, description of a decaying corpse with maggots, and brains bursting inside a skull. Children threaten to kill each other, a character tortures squirrels. Passing mention of suicide. Detailed descriptions of virtual battles, as well as shooting, explosions, and mention of corpses in video footage of real battles. Kids are led to commit genocide, albeit unknowingly.
Sex, Romance & Nudity: 2/5
Boys and girls are naked in dorms, though there are no sexual implications. Computer pranks include the message, “I love your butt. Let me kiss it.” A screen displays a large image of male genitals, which isn’t described in detail. Passing mention of penetration in the “mating room” when referring to the alien species.
Language: 4/5
Language includes “hell,” “damn,” “ass,” “a–hole,” “bastard,” “pissing,” “pisshead,” and “s–t.” Frequent potty talk and name-calling includes “butt,” “turd,” “fart,” “balls,” “moron,” “snot,” “pinhead,” “scumbrains,” and “slumbitch.” The alien species are called “buggers.” Racist language includes the “N” word, “Jewboy,” “goy,” and “kike.”
Products & Purchases: n/a
n/a
Drinking, Drugs & Smoking: n/a
n/a
View Common Sense Media entry:
Search libraries for Ender’s Game:
Purchase Ender’s Game:
