Please sign our guestbook and share any thoughts you might have about "Ender's Game" or the One Read program.
Orson Scott Card
Greensboro, NC
"I had a wonderful time in Columbia - especially at the library! - and I feel honored that Ender's Game was chosen to be part of the strongest, best-supported one-city-one-book program I've seen. (And this is no small achievement - Spokane, Washington, for instance, had an excellent program.)
I was particularly impressed by the way that community leaders took part - not just giving financial support, but spending their own time (and prestige) in leading discussions and showing that One Read matters.
And might I say that I resent the fact that I can't listen to a certain radio program in my faraway city?
But that isn't all there is to Columbia. I'll be back again whether anybody's reading my books or not... if only to visit your lovely downtown shops."
Melissa
Columbia, MO
"I have not read much science fiction, so it was with trepidation I approached "Ender's Game." I was (pleasantly) surprised. It's a great book for One Read because there are timeless themes that lead to interesting debates and discussions. Also, I must admit that the ending was a surprise to me. Great book."
Daniel
Columbia, MO
"'Ender's Game' is not a children's book, despite the main characters being pre-adolescents. The story and lessons contained in this classic novel detail a myriad of social issues that are not only ageless, but also lacking consideration in contemporary times (i.e. is adversity necessary to develop talent and character, does privilege bring out baser behaviors and attitudes, is intelligence a public resource or private asset, are borders a primary source of conflict in the absence of a greater threat, should gifted indiviudals be granted greater resources to fully develop their talents or does it better benefit society to dilute their talents amongst the common masses, is there justification for removing choice from an individual even if it serves the greater good? To focus on the age of the characters or the necessry violence that is inherent in the face of an annihilating threat is to do an injustice to this book. Panels should be discussing these deeper issues rather than tainting this book with issues of video game violence or similar. My greatest fear is that a movie would reduce this story to a special effects laden, adolescent adrenalin ride such as happened to the novel 'Starship Trooper'. I highly recommend reading 'Ender's Shadow' by Card after finishing this book. He is an excellent author and not one that should be ignored after completing the One Read offering. Thank you to the DBRL for offering this as the 2005 One Read."
Cindy
Columbia, MO
"Although I love fantasy books, I really am not much or a sci/fi reader, so I had some hesitation about this book. However, once I started reading, I didn't want to put it down. I liked this book on several different levels, but I am especially pleased that it piqued my interest in learning more about a subject that I have had no interest in up to this point - military strategy. It was fascinating."
Jamie
Columbia, MO
"Ender's Game became a personal favorite of mine when I was in junior high: my gifted education teacher said, "You little demons might like this book," and he was right. Orson Scott Card really captures the painful reality of being "a gifted child," and he manages to do it in the context of a very creative story -- one that makes the careful reader examine the meaning of "otherness," both in the life of the gifted child, and in the sad xenophobia that rules the adults of the novel."
Heidi
Columbia, MO
"Thanks for validating Science Fiction as a serious, interesting, and throught-provoking genre. Looking forward to the discussions and hearing Orson Scott Card speak."
Kath
Fulton, MO
"My family loves Ender's Game and the sequels. We look forward to the discussions and activities!"
Helen
Columbia, MO
"When 'Ender's Game' was selected, I read that the book and discussions would be appropriate for ages 10 and over. My family and I listened to the book on tape during a recent vacation trip, and I do not feel that the language is appropriate for children below high school age. I consider myself open-minded, and I have always allowed my children to read anything that interests them (just as my parents did not restrict my reading), but this book had much more profanity and ugly words than I want my grade school children to hear or to know."
Jodi
Auxvasse, MO
"I thought it was a wonderful book; very well written; kept me interested from begining to end. When I finished, I passed it on to my mother. She enjoyed it, as well. My mother, in turn, passed it on to my sister. However, her jury is still debating. ;-)"
Mary
Columbia, MO
"Wow! What wonderful programs!"
Pat
Columbia, MO
"It is good to have a book that I can discuss with my son's generation--the sequels are even better."
Lynn
Hallsville, MO
"I am so pleased to see the Express Yourself Art Show as part of the planned activities. It's great to have multiple ways to respond/react to the book, and this show will encourage the visual arts as well. Thank you!"
Rebecca
Columbia, MO
"I look forward to the variety of panel discussions and events that will be offered for this year's One Read. This is a very unique read that should pose some very interesting discussion."
Tonya
Fulton, MO
"I am normally not a science fiction reader, but Ender's Game had me hooked from the first chapter! Now I want to read the others in this series."
Courtney
Fulton, MO
"I think this book will appeal to readers of all ages."
Althea
Columbia, MO
"The audiobook is a very exciting dramatized presentation. It is really a listening pleasure!"
Alex
Fulton, MO
"Ender's Game is one of my favorites! Can't wait for the discussion!"
Kathy
Hollidaysburg, PA
"I think it's great that the program is open to more than just regular fiction. I look forward to reading Ender's Game."
Carolyn
Columbia
"I voted for Ender's Game because I wanted to read a different type of book than we have read in the past. I think it will lend itself to good discussion."
Lisa
Columbia, MO
"Great Book! Great program! I look forward to it every year!"
Jake
Columbia, MO
"I'm very excited about reading Ender's Game."
