Ender's Shadow: Battle School Hardcover

*Starred Review* Marvel has surpassed the dandy Ender’s Game: Battle School (2009) with this flawless, terrific graphic adaptation that expands the Ender Universe. The diminutive Bean grew up on the streets, where his keen, tactical intelligence help him survive and get him noticed by the insidious Hegemon, an organization charged with recruiting an army to combat the imminent invasion of insect-like aliens. Bean’s story can easily stand alone, though it runs concurrently with and reflects Ender’s rise through the rigors of Battle School and quest to escape the brutality of a vicious older-brother figure. While Ender was assailed by peer and psychological issues identifiable to childhood, Bean proves to be more of a fantasy figure; much of the enjoyment comes from the reaction his cold brilliance engenders in his peers and in adults, who begin to wonder who exactly is the puppet and who the masters. Fiumara contrasts the scruffiness of the streets and the cold technology of the school with sharp use of shadows and color, while Carey skillfully conveys sentiment and suspense in the search for Bean’s heritage and brings the mystery to a breathless and surprisingly emotional close. The book ends on a cliffhanger that demands its forthcoming follow-up or, better yet, a look at Card’s captivating source material. Grades 10-12. --Jesse Karp