ENDER’S GAME

Reviewed by Margaret Gamble

My book recommendation is based on personal experience as a children’s librarian in North Carolina. My favorite aspect of the job was to try to match readers
to books. I employed a variety of techniques, reading excerpts, doing “book commercials,” honoring purchase requests by students– whatever it took to get students reading. It was not always an easy Task. My nemesis was Wendell, a fifth-grader. Large for his age, smart as a whip, friendly, but awkward. For the life of me, I could not interest him in the books I thought he should read. Each week he made selections but without any apparent preference or consistency–books on
cooking, auto repair, chess strategies. I was determined to “assist” him in finding a fiction genre he could embrace. Finally, after weeks of struggle, he stood at the circulation desk and gently challenged me. “Ms. G., I’ll read what you want me to read if you will read what I like also.” My response was, of course, “Brilliant,
fabulous! Bring me what you like.” Then he immediately backpedaled. I insisted. “I want to read something that appeals to you, Wendell, please tell me what it is!” He hemmed and hawed a little more before admitting the book he liked most might have some language I would not condone. I continued to encourage
him. “No problem, Wendell. I’m a big girl, don’t think you can surprise me!” Of course, by then I was really intrigued. What kind of book would he bring? The very next day, as soon as the library opened, Wendell appeared at my desk with his dog-eared copy of “Ender’s Game,” a novella written by Orson Scott Card in 1985. Science fiction. It was a genre I kept stocked but typically avoided. Over the years and without one ounce of regret, I had managed to dodge Star Trek and Star Wars and anything else prefaced with “Star.” But, true to my word and with gritted teeth, I took Wendell’s book home. I read it in a weekend and was completely blown away. The action, tension, and surprise ending all had me enthralled. Yep, there was profanity, much more than I would ever recommend to any fifth grader, but Wendell had already proven himself to be different. I returned his book with enthusiastic commentary that caught him by surprise. He had been worried I was going to be offended, or judge him based on the language. Instead, two readers bonded over a really powerful shared story. Several months later I attended a weekend retreat in Montreal. As an icebreaker activity, a group of about 25 middle-aged adults were asked to name their favorite book. Imagine my surprise when “Ender’s Game” was the top choice! I shared this with Wendell and the Cheshire grin on his face was priceless.