Module 5 Fantasy and Science Fiction

Ender’s Game

By Orson Scott Card

1977, A Tom Doherty Associates Book

  

Summary:

The story is about a boy named Ender Wiggin whom the military has monitored for several years and chosen at the age of six instead of his equally capable brother or sister. The military is looking for a child to lead the forces against an alien, the Buggers, that have attacked earth twice and promise to come back. It is not only his genius ability but his feelings that make Ender different. Ender survives the years at battle school progressing through the ranks quickly going through all the battle games, and tactical lessons while developing maneuvers, and strategies that will soon be put to the test against the aliens.     

Impressions:

The author does a superb job of developing Ender’s character writing through the third person perspective often with the thoughts of others helping to define Ender’s character. You feel empathy for Ender as the pressure, and loneliness take its toll on him. But you are also rooting for him that he survives and is able to save mankind from the threat. The author also uses several unexpected plot twists near the end to keep you glued to your seat and reading to see what will happen. This story would be best for grades 6-8 due to the death of several people by Ender's hand.    

Reviews:

“An affecting novel full of surprises. Card never makes the mistake of patronizing or sentimentalizing his hero. His is a convincing little Napoleon in short pants.”

-The New York Times Book Review

Retrieved from the back cover

“This is Card at the height of his very considerable powers-a major DF novel by any reasonable standard.”

-Booklist

Retrieved from the back cover

“Richly drawn characters and a fast-paced story line draw us into the world of central character Ender Wiggin. It’s a world of the future, in which the gifted children are used by the military to save the Earth from the assault of aliens. Card’s story is so engaging readable that it left me begging for more.”

-Teacher Magazine

Retrieved from the first page

Suggestions:

It would be fun to have a futuristic display maybe to introduce science fiction genre or just as a change of pace. Set it up in the library with various books available on display. Perhaps have a class draw futuristic pictures to add to the display or provide for an ongoing vote for their favorite book as they read this genre. 

The City of Ember

By Jeanne DuPrau

2003 Random House

Summary:

The story begins with the builders of the City of Ember deciding to leave special instructions in a locked box and entrusting it to the mayor of the city. He was to pass it down through the years to the succeeding mayors until the box opens 200 years later. But when the time comes for the box to open it has been lost for some time with no memory of it. Lina Mayfleet comes across the opened box in her closet and finds some of the pieces of instructions. She struggles to figure out the contents before the city of Ember runs out of electricity, food, and supplies. She and her friend Doon search and locate the way to escape the city but in their searching they come across the mayor greedily hoarding supplies for himself. Fearing they will be imprisoned to keep them quiet they flee the city through the escape route which happens to be the swift underground river. Unfortunately, because they left so quickly, they did not have the chance to tell anyone else about the escape instructions. The book ends with Lina and Doon looking down from a high cliff and seeing Ember far below. They toss the written escape instructions down into the city and see Lina’s friend pick it up and read it. 

Impressions:

 The use of darkness not only gives a feeling of utter helplessness but it  builds suspense as the blackouts are becoming longer and you realize that time is running out. The author also uses the remaining pieces of the escape information like a word puzzle so you are drawn to try to figure out the missing parts. I did not feel she developed the characters fully and so I really did not have a connection to them. Grades 5-7 would be able to read and enjoy this book.

Reviews:
From Booklist

Gr. 5-7. Ember, a 241-year-old, ruined domed city surrounded by a dark unknown, was built to ensure that humans would continue to exist on Earth, and the instructions for getting out have been lost and forgotten. …Life in this postholocaust city is well limned--the frequent blackouts, the food shortage, the public panic, the search for answers, and the actions of the powerful, who are taking selfish advantage of the situation. Readers will relate to Lina and Doon's resourcefulness and courage in the face of ominous odds. Sally Estes
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

“DuPrau’s first foray into fiction creates a realistic post-apocalyptic world where everyone has lived underground for so long that they assume it has always been that way. . . . Reminiscent of post-apocalypse fiction like Robert O'Brien's Z for Zachariah, DuPrau’s book leaves Doon and Lina on the verge of the undiscovered country and readers wanting more.”—USA Today

“The cliffhanger ending will leave readers clamoring for the next installment.”—Starred, Kirkus Reviews

“While Ember is colorless and dark, the book itself is rich with description. . . . Part mystery, part adventure story, this novel provides science fiction for those who do not like science fiction.”—Starred, VOYA
From the Hardcover edition.

Suggestions:

This would work well for an author study. This is the first book in the series of four about the city of Ember’s residents and their journey back into the above ground world. It would be a great compare/contrast discussion between the books and discussions about the author’s purpose and ultimate solution.