1. Ender’s Game
Response Journals

2. Chapter 1: Third
Although Ender is only six years old, he already understands that “sometimes lies [are] more dependable than the truth” and that adults often lie to children.
How old were you when you realized that adults are not always honest?
Write a detailed descriptive paragraph about the experience.

3. Chapter 2: Peter
Ender’s mother was apparently reluctant to allow Peter to buy a bugger mask and play war games, but Mr. Wiggin pointed out that war wouldn’t go away just because you kept your children from playing “war,” and that encouraging them to do so could actually help give them a better chance of survival during the next bugger invasion.
The question of whether to let one’s children play at violence is an issue in our society as well as Ender’s. Write a letter to be printed in a parenting magazine expressing your opinion on this issue.
Whichever side of the debate you take, be sure to support your case with at least 3 reasons.

4. Chapter 3: Graff
Not only does the population law limit reproduction, it also impedes religious freedom. Graff mentions at least two religions (Catholicism & Mormonism) that can no longer be faithfully practiced under the law.
If the government passed a law that made it impossible for you to practice your religion, would you follow it?
Imagine the government has passed such a law today. Write a journal entry responding to the law and mentioning how it will (or if it will) change your life and practices.

5. Chapter 3: Graff
Card never explains why the government has made it illegal to have more than 2 children per family (unless a third is permitted to be born for military purposes).
First, list 3 reasons why a government might decide to pass such a law.
Then respond to the following statement in 1-2 paragraphs: a government is never justified in trying to control the reproductive lives of its citizens.

6. Chapter 4: Launch
It could be argued that a sense of isolation among children and teenagers leads to destructive things: despair, frustration, suicide, and, in cases like the school shootings at Columbine and Virginia Tech, homicide. Yet Graff believes that isolating Ender will be constructive for him.
Thinking not just of Ender’s but of the human condition in general, make a list of at least 5 constructive or good things that can come about as a result of feeling isolated from one’s peers.
Then list 5 negative things that can come from feeling isolated.
After reviewing your list, decide which you believe is better—isolationism, or socialization.

7. Chapter 5: Games
Although Mick is the only person who talks to Ender in the dining hall, Ender quickly decides that he doesn’t like Mick. Why?
As Ender, write a journal entry in which you describe Mick and mention why you’ve taken an instant dislike to him.

8. Chapter 6: The Giant’s Drink
Alai is the “bridge” between Ender’s group and Bernard’s group.
Describe one or more people you know that act as bridges between different groups in your school.
What effect do these bridges have?
Is it always a good effect?

9. Chapter 7: Salamander
What is the difference between “hot” anger like Bonzo’s and “cold” anger like Ender’s?
Write a journal exploring the subject, describing times when you have experienced each type of anger.
Which type do you think is it better to have? Which type do you believe is more dangerous?

10. Chapter 8: Rat
Although the Battle School students come from many different countries and walks of life, there hasn’t been any mention of racial tension until this chapter.
Does it surprise you that anti-Semitism and Jewish stereotypes continue to abound at Battle School and at this point (whenever it is) in the future? Explain your answer.

11. Chapter 9: Locke and Demosthenes
If, like Valentine and Peter, you could write a political opinion piece and post it on the Internet knowing that the entire world community would read it and consider it seriously, what would you write about?
Write your piece now, making it at least a page long and signing it with a pseudonym (like Locke or Demosthenes) that has personal significance for you.

12. Chapter 10: Dragon
Ender asks himself if it’s “some law of human nature that you inevitably become whatever your first commander was.”
Similarly, it’s often said that when we grow up we become just like our parents. Assuming there is some truth to this, why do you think things happen this way?
Do you think it will happen to you? What traits would you like to have? Which traits would you like to avoid? Explain your answer.

13. Chapter 11: Veni Vidi Vici
If, as in Ender’s Game, we learn that other intelligent life exists in the universe, do you think we should ignore it and hope it ignores us, attack it, or try to communicate with it?
State and support your opinion in a short persuasive piece, assuming it will be published in a national newspaper on the day we learn that such life exists.

14. Chapter 12: Bonzo
Pretend you are one of Bonzo’s friends and have just witnessed his fight with Ender.
Write a recap of the fight and express your feelings about it as though you are telling a friend about it in the dining hall. Be sure to mention why you decided to not step in and if your impression of Ender has changed.

15. Chapter 13: Valentine
Valentine feels, “responsible for the future of the world.” She wholeheartedly believes that the choices she makes will impact not just herself, but countless others.
How do you feel about your own responsibility, and ability to make an impact on the future?
Who do you believe your choices will affect? Knowing that your choices affect others, does that change the way you make your decisions?
Write a journal explaining these issues completely.

16. Chapter 14: Ender’s Teacher
Mazer Rackham says that he doesn’t think Ender will be permanently damaged by his experiences in this chapter. From what you know about Ender, do you agree? Support your answer with evidence from the text.
Respond to the following statement: “Of all the characters in the book, Graff is the one who cares the most for Ender.” Do you agree/ disagree? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

17. Chapter 15: Speaker for the Dead
The character of Ender Wiggin has provoked widely disparate reactions in readers and critics of Ender’s Game. For example, Ender has been compared to both Adolf Hitler and Jesus.
How do you see Ender? Is he good, bad, or neither? Would he make a good or a dangerous role model?
Write a paragraph-long assessment of Ender’s character, taking each of these questions (and more) into account.