Enders Game

Enders Game

By Orson Scott Card

Enders Game is set on future earth. There is not specific future date given, however you can tell it's the 

far future because they have discovered how to travel at the speed of light.

Enders game revolves around the life of Andrew (Ender) Wiggins. In this story Ender is the youngest 

of three children. His sister Valentine is sweet and loving towards Ender, but his brother Peter on the 

other 

hand is a malicious psychopath whom likes to hurt things. In this future world, families are only 

aloud to have 2 children, unless the government gives them permission for a third. Ender was born as 

part of a government program set to create excellent military officers. Most third children were part of 

this.  After betting up a bully twice his 

size, Ender is recognized for his potential as a officer and sent to Battle School. 

Battle School is held on a space station orbiting Earth. For decades child soldiers have been trained at 

Battle School, as a preparation to the ever present Bugger Wars. Buggers are an Alien race with similar 

characteristics to Bee's. While at Battle School Ender is taken away from the other new cadets, and 

placed with the older cadets. As Ender advances in war simulations and becomes the best at Battle 

School, others become jealous. There are many attempts to take Enders life, however he out maneuvers 

them all. After advance through years worth of schooling in only a matter of months, Enders is 

promoted to Command 

School. At Common School Ender is tested with various Bugger war simulations. However, these 

simulations feel all to real. . . I won't spoil then ending . . . 

I first read this book in 10th grade along with Enders Shadow. I can honestly say I absolutely love these 

books. They are complex yet still easy to understand. I think this book would be appropriate for 8th-

10th grades.  The book is fairly long, but after you get into reading it, it goes by fast. This a great 

overall science-fiction book that I really think students will enjoy. With higher grades you could talk 

about the important issues this book addresses like war, xenocide , children solders, and even just 

procreation laws. You could also compare and contrast the technology addressed with our technology 

today. I love this book! I highly recommend it for middle/high school students. 

Ollie's Halloween

By Olivier Dunrea

 In this picture book Ollie and his friends get dressed up for Halloween. They dress up as a wizard, a chicken, a 

dragon, a bunny, and a 

mummy.  They prowl through the night hooting and howling, creeping through bogs and scaring frogs. They creep 

behind beehives, poke 

around pumpkins, and stalk through corn fields. They gobble treats and yell Boo at ghosts. They bob for apples and 

run to a barn. In 

conclusion they spend a very happy Halloween together. 

 I love the illustrations in this story. They are very colorful and really grab the readers attention. I think this is a 

great story to read around 

or on Halloween to get kids excited about the holiday. You might even be able to incorporate safety into this read 

aloud. When Ollie is left

 alone in the dark you could tell your students " We don't want to be alone it the dark do we? We don't want to get 

lost so its important to 

stay with and adult at all times huh."  You could also read this story and then have the students talk about what 

they are going to 

be for Halloween. This book is best for kindergarden or first grade because of the low word count. On the down side 

It might bore 

older students , because there isn't a lot of reading. 

Cirque Du Freak

Cirque Du Freak

Cirque Du Freak tells the story Darren Shan's transformation from high school kid to vampire. The plot starts out when Darren and his best friend Steve acquire tickets to the ever popular freak show, Cirque Du Freak. While attending this bizarre show containing a wolf man, lizard boy, and man with two bellies, Steve realizes Mr. Crepsley is not only a spider tamer. Mr, Crepsley is a vampire! Steve then insists he has to confront Mr. Crepsley and asks Darren to wait for him out side. While Darren is wait he over hears Steve begging Mr. Crepsley to turn him into a vampire. After being rejected Steve and Darren leave Cirque Du Freak. Because Darren has a fascination with spiders, they decides to steal Mr. Crepsley's special spider. After stealing the spider and taking it back to Darren's house, Steve is bitten resulting in total body paralysis. 

After the doctors are unable to cure Steve, Darren resorts to asking Mr. Crepsley for help. Mr. Crepsley agrees to cure Steve on the condition that Darren gives up his life and because a half-vampire apprentice. Darren of course agrees and his friend Steve is cured. Mr. Crepsley then fakes Darrens death. After Darrens entire family thinks he died along with Steve, Darren is turned by Mr. Crepsley. As his apprentice Mr. Crepsley teaches Darren how to feed from humans without killing them. If a vampire was to drink all of a humans blood that humans memories would forever follow that vampire. 

In the end Steve finds out Darren has been turned into a vampire and becomes extremely jealous. Steve then joins a rival evil vampire, which results in a vampire style fight-to-the death between Steve and Darren. 

Cirque Du Freak is the first book in the twelve book Darren Shan series. The first time I read these books was in eight grade and I loved them! They were the "twilight" to my generation I guess. In my opinion these books are way better then Twilight. I think these books are perfect for both 8th grade boys and girls because they are so different. Its magical, adventurous, while still addressing the issues many teenagers are having. There are points in the story were Darren feels alone, fights with his best friend, and even has a crush! Tell me those aren't typical middle school problems? I also like that the vampires are real scary, blood sucking creatures. None of that silly sparkling nonsense here!