Finished listening to 12-21-08, rating 5/5, science fiction, pub. 1985

Ender Wigginis a six year old boy who is chosen for Battle School, after his older two siblings failed to make the cut.  He is sent to  school with other children who are the best of the best, but he is quickly established as the brightest hope.   The alien ‘buggers’ had invaded earth before and it is of vital importance that the International Fleet trains Ender in time to save the world from another attack.  Although he only had six years with his family, he is haunted by loving memories of his sister, Valentine, and fear of his brother, Peter and they affect his performance in both positive and negative ways.

Ender is six when he enters battle school and 11 or 12 at the end of the book.  It is easy to forget his age until his vulnerability shines through in his wanting friends or wanting his teachers to like him and it is at these times that your heart breaks for Ender.  The weight of the earth has been put on his small shoulders and at many times he almost breaks from the pressure.

I loved this book.  It was psychological, political, philosophical and just plain fun.  This book is perfect for all ages.  I listened to the Special 20th Anniversary Edition and it was wonderfully done (Of course it was also 10 1/2 hours, so prepare yourself!).

This is the first in the Ender series.