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In summary, here are the results of my replies
   14   In favor of continuing the novel
     6   Consider it an adult novel, so maybe I should reconsider

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply.  I've decided to continue the novel 
with interested students, but to begin an alternate selection with others in the 
class.  Below are comments I received without names of the senders:

I really enjoyed this book myself and other's in the Ender series.  I too had a 
small issue with language.  I myself would not really be comfortable with this book 
with the MS set.

I did not put either book on my elementary shelf. But given the overall message of 
the book, I do recommend it (very highly) to middle-schoolers who come back to 
visit. I don't think I'd be comfortable with it read aloud, even in middle school.

I read Ender's Game MANY years ago and loved it (I was in high school at the time). 
 Honestly, I don't remember the language issue at all, so it apparently didn't 
register with me

My experience is that many 9th grade (reluctant reader) boys loved these books 
(it's like a series).  They were always in the library looking for the next book.  
A classroom teacher had one or two copies in his classroom library, he didn't 
actually do the book with an entire class.

I don't work with 7th grade in that fashion in my k-8 building but I do have the 
book in my collection and recommend it.   I also don't know what kinds of problems 
"choice" language can cause in your district that said this is my thoughts on the 
book.
 
My son loved that book.  He read all the pre/sequels and companion novels.  He 
begged me to read it three times before I would.  I generally DETEST sci-fi; I also 
have no desire to read militaristic books as well.  This is a sci-fi book but it 
reads like military history.  But to my liking it complex and deals with thought 
provoking moral dilemas and issues.

While the majority of the students are not much older than yours, I think
 this book has always been considered more YA; it was on the High School BES list 
several years ago.  I really don't remember anything else that you will need to 
worry about.This title was never very popular in my school; I think it it one of 
those books that students who are not lovers of SciFi just don't pick up.

We've used Ender's Game twice in our Battle of the Books, and have never had any 
problems. I haven't read the book in a while, so I don't remember the specific 
language, but I don't remember it being anything too awful. The book has earned so 
many excellent reviews and won so many awards, etc., that you can certainly justify 
using it.

This is a fabulous book, it has won all kinds of awards and has a huge
 following.  I do not like SciFi genre but I really enjoyed this book. 

 There are other books that follow Enders Game and there is a whole series of books 
told from Bean's point of view.  The author says he wrote the books to excite and 
encourage the bright and bored boys who needed a reading challenge.  If any of your 
students get hooked on this book, they have 8 or 9 more that will keep them busy 
for about 2 weeks.
 That is how long it will take for your avid readers to get them all read:)

I read it several years ago and had a hard time getting into it, at first.  I am 
not a scifi reader either, but I love books for kids.  It\ flows much better the 
further you get into this great book.  I don't remember a great deal of language, 
but only a few words.  I really do
 not think it is as bad as what most of your group of 7th graders say themselves. 

    This is an excellent sci fi novel, but it was written for adults, despite the 
fact that the main character is a child at the beginning of the book.  There is a 
lot of violence in the book, including an episode, if I remember correctly, where 
Ender kills a fellow classmate.  The premise of the book is that the group of 
children are being trained as super warriors, and what they are told are 
"exercises" are actually battles.  The book
 explores concepts such as what is "alien" and what is "human", and "genocide."  
While excellent, it is heavy reading.  You will have to decide what your community 
will consider acceptable, but be aware there are some things in the book that some 
may consider questionable for younger readers.

I think it's a terrific story and one very appropriate for this grade.  My son 
loved it at that age and continues reading some of the series now at age 16.  I 
have read them too and thoroughly enjoyed them.  Lots to discuss...

I think it's a terrific book--sort of Luke Skywalker meets Harry Potter.  Our 8th 
grade used to read it in language arts class.

I discovered Ender’s game a couple of summers ago, and have since had a ball 
recommending it to my little intellectuals, who without fail tell me it's 
incredible--one of the best books they've ever read.   I listened to it as well, 
and though Science Fiction/Fantasy are not really my favorites, this one blows my 
doors down.  I've had 6th, 7th, and 8th graders - exceptional kids, mostly, read 
it.  I really think it's one of those life changers for many readers.

I am not a fan of science fiction.  However, I read Ender's Game when it first came 
out and found it to be excellent.  The middle school kids at my school loved it, 
and eagerly moved on to other books in the series.   I don't even remember it 
having any bad language!   Persist with the reading!  It has an excellent ending.

It is on our reading list for 9th grade AP and I read it.  I liked it! Am now 
reading Ender's Shadow.  It is not language I use or advocate, but it is the 
language used by many of our students - not that it is an excuse.  As long as you 
discuss it with them before, during and after hearing the book read, it might stop 
some reaction, but with this age student, everything is worth a reaction!  SciFi is 
not usually my genre, but this book did captivate me.

I read Ender's Game for the first time a couple of years ago.  We had used it with 
our Battle of the Books competition.  I liked the book so much that I asked for the 
rest of the series for my birthday that year and quickly read all of them.  And I 
am not a sci-fi fan either.

I haven't read it, not my genre either, but according to the Brodart sales website, 
the following "selection tools" recommend it:
Christian Fiction: A Guide to the Genre 
Core Collection for Young Adults 
Fiction Catalog, 13th ed. and supplements 
Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, 8th ed. and Supplements 
Senior High School Library Catalog, 15th ed. and Supplements

It's a great book.  I say stick with it.  I would imagine that the boys' reactions 
will fade over time, as it sounds like you hit all the right notes in  your 
explanation.  I'd love to know what you end up doing and how it turns out.

My book club had the same reaction.  Most of the kids didn't mind it at all--some 
were slightly bothered about it and one girl didn't finish because of it.  She had 
also reached the point in the book where the guys were naked running down the hall 
so she didn't like two parts.


Linda
===============================
Mrs. Linda Slacum, Librarian
Cherry Hill Middle School
2535 Singerly Road
Elkton, MD  21921
lslacum@ccps.org
http://www.ccps.org/chms/index.html
http://media.ccps.org/ccemo/index.html


Original Message: 
Group,
I have a group of 25 students (19 boys, grade 7) and I started the mp3 of the 
novel, Ender's Game.  It is a SciFi title that has won several awards (Hugo & 
Nebula).  SciFi is not my genre of preference, so I am barely staying ahead of the 
class on the storyline.  However, there is some language throughout the dialog 
parts of the story.  What is your take on this novel?  I am not reluctant to have 
students read the novel, but since we are listening, the language is spoken and as 
you can guess, middle school boys are reacting.  We did discuss how acceptable 
language changes over time, how language is different when characters are fighting, 
how an author tries to evoke emotion through words...however     I did survey the 
students to see if anyone was uncomfortable with the language.  I am curious your 
reactions to the novel.  Thanks for your insight.  I will post a hit of responses.




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