Ender's Game: War of Gifts Hardcover

Four stories focusing on supporting characters like Ender's siblings and the war hero Mazer Rackham deepen Marvel's Ender universe. Expanding on issues of the social dynamics and psychological manipulation of both individuals and groups, stories about life on the home front (earth, that is), the dangers and rewards of religious observance in battle school, and a duel of wills between a man and the military all have Card's unmistakable trademark of intricate plots that ask big questions. Despite being situated in mainly static conversational tales, Green's idiosyncratic faces and figures will keep readers connected to the underlying theme: the emotional cost of waging war. Grades 7-12. --Jesse Karp