Although Ender’s Game was written in 1985, it remained popular for many years and will soon gain new momentum due to the movie release of the same name, scheduled to hit theaters November 1, 2013. The star rating reflects overall quality. Parents: Set preferences and get age-appropriate recommendations with Common Sense Media Plus. We won't share this comment without your permission. Ender in Enders Game is portrayed as a natural leader and fighter who is a killer at heart and can use his understanding of the enemy and natural skill to kill to destroy them. Our ratings are based on child development best practices. Ender's squad is full of misfits who all learn to work together and under his command. It streamlines the story down to its core: protagonist Ender Wiggin's development from childhood prodigy to genius military commander. Based on Orson Scott Card's popular teen sci-fi novel. This means that the UK age rating is likely to be a PG or 12A in UK cinemas, which is similar to the majority of the Marvel UK releases. Do you see any implications here for our current world? Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Also with Harrison Ford, Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin, Ben Kingsley, Viola Davis, Aramis Knight, Suraj Partha, Moises Arias, Khylin Rhambo, Jimmy … And main character Ender is admired for his ruthlessly efficient violence, though he himself is disturbed by it. Get full reviews, ratings, and advice delivered weekly to your inbox. The series, like the novels they are based on, are set in a future where mankind is facing annihilation by an aggressive alien society, an insect … Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free. Ender's Game was the height of this art, provoking the same power emotions as the book, staying true to the heart of the characters, all the while taking a complex plot and distilling it down into a 2 hour movie. I love this book. GUIDED READING LEXILE® MEASURE Grade Level Equivalent DRA LEVEL. However, some have been all new content, not released before in novel format. Ender’s Game is about how the adults teaching him do everything in their power to mess him up and how Ender rises to meet every challenge. So when it was on my summer reading list, I said why not and read it. © Common Sense Media. While Ender's Game is a novel about a younger child, it was indeed written for adults with that sort of viewpoint in many parts of the story. Add your ratingSee all 35 parent reviews. A Midsummer Night's Dream Brave New World The Handmaid's Tale The Merchant of Venice Twelfth Night Ender has a gift for combat -- he fights and kills -- even though he doesn't understand the stakes. Editorial Reviews. Like Harry, Ender is "chosen" and must live up to his reputation, but unlike Harry, Ender doesn't get any chances to just hang out with friends. It's just a question of whether or not your son would enjoy the writing style. It's unclear whether either boy survives. Parents need to know that Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game is a gripping and emotional sci-fi novel, originally published in 1985, that will appeal to older tweens and teens. With its talented cast, thought-provoking themes, and pulse-pounding battle simulations, Ender's Game is a sci-fi flick with surprising depth and moral insight. The Best PlayStation Deals for January 2021. Set at an unspecified date in Earth's future, the novel presents an imperiled mankind after two conflicts with the Formics, an insectoid alien species which they dub the "buggers". Suggest an update to this review. I recommend it. Other teasing language and some occasional potty talk is sprinkled throughout. What does it depend on? Grades. A twisted boy tortures squirrels to death by skinning them alive. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free. All rights reserved. Join now. The movie, however, is as special as a migraine. I expected more. Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. Ender's Game Review. 8 VIDEOS | 149 IMAGES. The everyday lives of working-class inhabitants of Albert Square, a traditional Victorian square of terrace houses surrounding a park in the East End of London's Walford borough. Perfect discussion book, even for reluctant readers. Families can talk about the Battle School in Ender's Game, where kids are trained from age 6 in an off-world facility in which their training consists mostly of games. Hailee Steinfeld is well suited to be courageous and compassionate Petra, and the rest of the young actors -- including Abigail Breslin in a pivotal supporting role as Ender's loving older sister Valentine and Hannah Montana alum Moises Arias as Ender's Napoleonic rival -- do a fine job of keeping up with the adults. … The age and experiences of Ender would probably make the book very relatable to him, actually. Based on a novel by Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game takes place in a futuristic Earth that is still reeling from an alien attack five decades earlier. Though it wasn't written for children, it has been embraced by middle- and high-schoolers. See something that needs to be addressed? An older brother is particularly cruel to others, including the main character, and threatens to kill or injure the young brother. Parents need to know that Ender's Game is the highly anticipated adaptation of Orson Scott Card's best-selling 1985 sci-fi novel. Nonstop over-the-top fun for teens and up. This is the kind of book the phrase "page-turner" was invented to describe: Most people finish it in one sitting, unable to put it down. The movie is very inclusive and multicultural, since the global community has formed one international fleet to defend the earth from invasion. In the end, do you agree with Ender or with Col. Graff? Ender is not only brilliant, but he's wise beyond his years. The prologue shows how bug-like aliens killed millions of humans. I think my son started the series when he was 12 and in middle school, and over the years I've introduced many customers to Ender at that age. Satire with a nice bite -- for mature teens. Ender’s Game is a 5 Star book because of Ender Wiggin; a complex and compelling boy whom the reader can’t help but empathize with and cheer for throughout the read. How do these games train them? As fears of an alien invasion grow, Earth's International Fleet recruits an unlikely leader— a young and brilliant boy—to command its forces and fight for the future of the human race. Ender is one of the most compelling (and messianic) young protagonists since Harry Potter hit the big screen. Catch "Joe Neumaier's Movie Minute" throughout the day Wed. - Sun. I watched this with my family (who hasn't read the book) shortly after reading the Ender's Game book. Get full reviews, ratings, and advice delivered weekly to your inbox. Families can talk about one of the movie's central themes: compassion/diplomacy versus cruelty/warfare. Plus,"mother--ker" in Spanish. Parents need to know that Ender's Game is the highly anticipated adaptation of Orson Scott Card's best-selling 1985 sci-fi novel. Earn 125 points on every ticket you buy. Review for the Ender's Game test Learn with flashcards, games, and more — for free. Perfect prep for Ender's Game quizzes and tests you might have in school. Your privacy is important to us. Searching for streaming and purchasing options ... Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. If you chose to provide an email address, it will only be used to contact you about your comment. As fears of an alien invasion grow, Earth's International Fleet recruits an unlikely leader— a young and brilliant boy—to command its forces and fight for the future of the human race. We're updating our reviews to better highlight authentic stories and accurate, diverse representations. Join now. The book is more meaningful. The adults who run the school are literally out to save the world: They will stop at nothing to achieve their ends, and one small boy, or even a school full of kids, is nothing but a means to that end. Our ratings are based on child development best practices. Violence: Young characters often engage in verbal conflicts, some of which escalate to fights. More about Essay on Ender's Game Book Report. Those who've read the book, how does the movie compare? We display the minimum age for which content is developmentally appropriate. Z. Genre. How is Ender gifted at both war and peace? Considered by some to be the best sci-fi novel ever written, Enders Game hits the trifecta: deeply emotional and character-driven, brilliantly intellectual, and exciting as all get out. How are the relationships between adults and children portrayed in the movie? Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. Based on author Orson Scott Card's beloved sci-fi novel, ENDER'S GAME takes place in the 22nd century, after humans suffered millions of losses during an invasion from the Formics, an insect-like alien race. Not wanting to be caught defenseless in the event of another attack, the world governments created an international fleet that trains gifted children for military service. Appropriate for: Ages 12 and up. Boys and girls are naked in dorms, though there's no sexual activity. Other children do not like Ender because he is a prodigy, and he is also the third child in … Okay, I've seen kids at my school reading this book, but never talking about it. Families can talk about if the end always justifies the means, if games desensitize kids to violence, and much more. The rating seems to simply reflect the adult tone of the concepts dealt with. Synopsis of Ender’s Game Ender’s Game is the story of Andrew “Ender” Wiggin, a six-year-old genius. Other characters are a mix of "good" and "bad," and several central characters are ambiguous. Based on the worldwide bestseller and featuring an all-star cast, ENDER'S GAME bursts with epic adventure and stunning visual … A few fights between kid soldiers results in serious injuries with blood. 6-8, 9-12. In order to prevent annihilation of the But how can they manipulate a compassionate child into wiping out an entire species, and at the same time give him the skills to do it effectively? Based on the worldwide bestseller and featuring an all-star cast, ENDER'S GAME bursts with epic adventure and stunning visual effects. Language includes lots of "hell," plus the occasional "ass," and the word "s--t" is used in one scene three times. Let me kiss it.") Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. So the military embarks on a crash program to breed the ultimate military genius to lead the fleet in a pre-emptive attack against the Formic home world. Get Movies. An entire planet is destroyed; humans commit genocide against an alien nation. The square includes the Queen Vic pub and a street market. Test your knowledge on all of Ender's Game. Why does it appeal to readers today? 26 ... Board Game: Age of Steam [Average Rating:7.77 Overall Rank:121] EndersGame Other than... Ender's Game is based on one of my favorite novels from when I was a kid. © Common Sense Media. Thank you for your support. The star rating reflects overall quality. Suggest an update to this review. Buy Movies. Browse titles with similar subject matter. Since Ender’s Game was released in 1985 and it’s a consensus that it’s awesome, it seems silly to do a big ol’ review of the novel itself. Six-year-old Andrew “Ender” Wiggin is monitored by the government through a device attached to his neck, to see if he is a good candidate for Battle School. Petra is a strong female character who is not sexualized or dumbed down in any way. TV-PG | 30min | Crime, Drama, Romance | TV Series (1985– ) Episode Guide. Minecraft - Community Celebration: Bloom Trailer. Read More. Ender performs so flawlessly he's promoted again to Command School and is offered an opportunity to command the entire fleet -- making him humanity's only hope against the Formics. Battle and Command School require sparring and strategy games using weapons. What to Watch, Read, and Play While Your Kids Are Stuck Indoors, Common Sense Selections for family entertainment, Check out new Common Sense Selections for games, Teachers: Find the best edtech tools for your classroom with in-depth expert reviews, Cómo hablar con los niños sobre la violencia en el Capitolio de los Estados Unidos, Actividades de bienestar para el invierno, Which Side of History? Kids are led to commit genocide, albeit unknowingly. The Second Age Explained. The violence is at times quite brutal, as kids kill other kids. The premise of the story is that Earth has been attacked and nearly destroyed by an alien species. There are plenty of messages in the movie about moral responsibility, the dangers of offensive wars, the psychological trauma of military training and war on child soldiers, and the importance of peaceful diplomacy, compassion, and empathy in human society. Should you separate a work of art from its creator or not? The grownups are extraordinarily good at playing well-meaning but morally ambiguous characters: Ford; Viola Davis as military psychologist Major Anderson; and a late appearance by a Kiwi-accented Ben Kingsley (reuniting with his Hugo co-star) as legendary military general, Mazur Rackham. See something that needs to be addressed? The sheer emotional impact of this gripping read means these concepts will stick with kids long after, though there are no simple answers. A teen boy (Asa Butterfield) is recruited and trained to fight against an alien invader, hoping that he will be saving Earth from another attack. At a military academy, Colonel Hyram Graff (Harrison Ford) singles out Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield), a humble young genius, for promotion to Battle School -- in space -- for further training. Characters are racially diverse. In a pleasing break from the norm, ‘Ender’s Game’ didn’t appear to feel the need to throw in any moments of gratuitous nudity, violence or cursing in order to ‘earn’ the 12A rating. These kids are trained from age 6 in an off-world facility called Battle School, and their training consists mostly of games. Ender's Game (written in 1985) is a science fiction novel written by the American author Orson Scott Card. Ender's brother, Peter, engages in cruel bullying and has dangerous ideas. Author Card is an outspoken proponent of racist and homophobic views. Add your ratingSee all 21 parent reviews. By Orson Scott Card. Shocking sci-fi gives teens plenty to get wound up about. The previews of the movie seem pretty tame, and one could easily draw the conclusion that it’s a film for the whole family, despite its recently announced PG-13 …

In order to develop a secure defense against a hostile alien race's next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. We're updating our reviews to better highlight authentic stories and accurate, diverse representations. He's incredibly intuitive, bright, curious, but also troubled by his conscience and tries desperately to make sense of his role as a soldier. Some bullying by an older brother is intense and disturbing, and the conclusion to the story is shocking. He's being groomed to command not to have fun. Ender’s Game is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some violence, sci-fi action and thematic material. One minor surgery scene shows a bit of blood on a removed implant. Ender's Game is a 1985 military science fiction novel by American author Orson Scott Card.Set at an unspecified date in Earth's future, the novel presents an imperiled humankind after two conflicts with the Formics, an insectoid alien species they dub the "buggers".In preparation for an anticipated third invasion, children, including the novel's protagonist, Andrew "Ender" Wiggin, … Ender's Game was originally published in 1985 and won the Nebula Award for best novel that year. How Technology Is Reshaping Democracy and Our Lives, Discover activities to get kids excited for a new year of possibilities from Wide Open School, Online Playdates, Game Nights, and Other Ways to Socialize at a Distance, Keeping Kids Motivated for Online Learning, Long Story Short: Read the Book, it's Better, 5 Tips to Make Family Movie Night a Success.

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