Ender’s Game Chapter 1 1. How are lies more dependable than the truth? 2. Discuss government control of family planning decisions. 3. Compare and contrast the three children in this chapter to children of today. 4. Discuss Ender’s actions in the fight with Stilson. 5. Discuss the relationship between Ender and Peter. 6. What are the “grabbers” that make you want to keep reading? 7. What makes the characters interesting?

Chapter 2 1. In a book with the main character’s name in the title, why is the second chapter about his brother? 2. What is the significance of “the government” speaking at the start of every chapter? 3. Discuss Valentine’s role between Ender and Peter? 4. Predict Valentine’s future role? 5. Discuss Ender’s ability to be empathetic towards the Buggers.

Chapter 3 1. Ender’s parents could choose the sex of their second child. What are the implications of genetic engineering? 2. Discuss the relationship between Ender, his family, and the government. 3. Discuss the role of “duty” in people’s lives.

Chapter 4 1. Discuss the idea of heroes. 2. Who is a hero? 3. What do we expect from our heroes? 4. Why do people hate those who excel and receive praise? 5. Discuss “survival of the fittest”.

Chapter 5 1. Why can Ender have friends but not parents? 2. Why does Ender have to be isolated? 3. Why do people bully? Why do others follow bullies? 4. Does the story seem realistic? Do the characters seem realistic? Why or why not? 5. Why does Ender take on the older boys on the computer games? 6. Why is unacceptable to be defeated by someone “lower” than you? 7. Why is younger considered lower?

Chapter 6 1. What do today’s video games teach children? What is harmful? What is beneficial? 2. What is the point of having to choose between your own death, and killing someone else? 3. What do we learn about Ender from the last paragraph of this chapter?

Chapter 7 1. Are there “normal” children? 2. What is “strange” about Ender and his friends? 3. What makes a good leader? 4. Why do the children turn into vicious wolves attacking Ender? 5. Why does Bonzo hate Ender’s kindness so much? 6. Will anything become of Bonzo’s hatred for Ender? 7. What does Ender think of valuable possessions?

Chapter 8 1. Do children play games fairly? 2. What are anti-Semites? 3. Where does their hatred come from? 4. Why do racism and prejudice continue to thrive? 5. Does school destroy children like Battle School does in the novel? 6. Do we hear what people say? 7. Do we understand what they mean?

Chapter 9 1. What is significant about Peter and his actions? 2. Why is Peter so dangerous? 3. Why does Valentine prefer him to others? 4. What does it mean to have control?

5. Can control be a gift? 6. Can parents be manipulated? 7. Why does Peter believe the world will self-destruct after the threat of the Buggers is over? 8. Do people need crises to connect them to others?

Chapter 10 1. Discuss the quote: “Is it some law of human nature that you inevitably become whatever your first commander was?” 2. Is this true of parenting? 3. Are people destined to repeat past behaviours and experiences? 4. How can we “break the cycle”? 5. What makes a good soldier? 6. What events and trait make you feel like you know Ender? 7. How do you feel about Ender?

Chapter 11 1. Discuss this quote: “But I fear that I also underestimate the stupidity of the rest of mankind. Are we absolutely sure that we ought to win this war?” 2. What ways do adults push children? Is it for the child’s good or for the adult’s? Why? 3. Why did they not cheer for Ender? 4. Ender embarrasses Bonzo after their battle. Why? What will happen between Ender and Bonzo?

Chapter 12 1. How had Ender developed trust in his army in only 4 weeks?

2. What does it mean to “fight with honour”? 3. Why does Bean not understand the question: What do you want to be when you grow up?” 4. Discuss this quote: “Ender Wiggin isn’t a killer. He just wins - thoroughly.” 5. What makes a place home?

Chapter 13 1. Do Valentine’s parents know what is going on? 2. Are we “what we remember”? 3. Discuss Ender’s thoughts, understandings, and action when dealing with an enemy. Why is he so troubled? 4. How has Peter become like Ender, and vice versa? 5. Discuss the paragraph: “The moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him...” (p.238) 6. Valentine says that the curse of the Wiggin children is intelligence. Is intelligence a curse? 7. What is the purpose of the ansible? Why is it important? 8. Is it possible the Buggers will not attack

Chapter 14 1. Why is Graff suddenly so concerned about Ender’s well being? 2. Did Mazer Rackham really ever teach Ender anything? Who did? 3. Why was it important to fight with his friends? 4. Was Ender too young to do what was expected of him? Emotionally? 5. Is Ender a hero? 6. What does Ender learn about the Buggers? 7. Why is it ironic that Petra thinks they will have to go to school on earth?

8. What are they prepared to do? What should they be doing? 9. Are Mazer and Graff guilty of a crime? What is it?

Chapter 15 1. What roles are teenagers expected to fill in today’s society? 2. Do you think Ender was guilty of murder in the deaths of Stilson and Bonzo? 3. How was Ender a pawn? In what game? 4. Why does Ender take a child with him to explore for a new colony? 5. What do we learn about communication and understanding? 6. How can we end racism and prejudice? 7. Why is the cocoon a symbol of peace