3. Are Ender’s relationships with others different because he is a third? In what ways are his relationships with his siblings similar to, or different from, your relationships with brothers, sisters, or close relatives? 4. How does Graff persuade Ender to go to Battle School? How does Ender set himself apart from the other boys before he even reaches Battle School?
5. In the schoolyard, in the shuttle, and later at Battle School, Ender kills in self-defense. Later in the story, a colonel comments that “Ender isn’t a killer. He just wins—thoroughly.” Is this a sufficient explanation for why Ender hurts people? Why doesn’t Ender turn to others for help? Do you think Ender is a killer? Why or why not?

6. What is the Giant’s Drink? What does Ender conclude from this mind game? What does his play teach those who observe him about Ender? Who do you think is manipu- lating this game?
7. In chapter 7, Petra tells Ender, “They never tell you any more truth than they have to.” Who are “they”? Who does Ender perceive as his enemy at this point in the story?
8. Dink Meeker discusses childhood with Ender, com- menting, “We’re not children. Children can lose sometimes, and nobody cares.” Is Dink correct? Does Dink feel sorry about his observation? What are the goals of the “children” at Battle School? How are their goals similar to, or different from, the goals of children you know?

9. What techniques does Ender use to train his Dragon Army? What strategies does he take from his old com- manders? What mistakes does he see himself making? What does he do about his errors?

10. Does Ender enjoy the Battle Room? Explain your answer.

11. How do the other boys treat Ender as his Dragon Army rises to the top of the rankings? Where does Ender go to learn more after it becomes clear he cannot be defeated by his classmates?
12. In chapter 11, Ender tells Graff and Anderson that he no longer plays the fantasy computer game because he won it. Is this true?

13. On page 128, Valentine notes that: “There was more Peter in her than she could bear to admit, though some- times she dared to think about it anyway.” What is the “Peter” in Valentine? Does this same “Peter” exist in Ender? Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

14. What is the special relationship between Ender and Bean? What innovations does Bean contribute to Dragon Army?
15. What does Bonzo Madrid plan to do to Ender? Why doesn’t the Battle School staff foil Bonzo’s plot? Why does Bonzo feel such hatred toward Ender? How does Ender feel about the attack? What does Ender do to Bonzo?

16. As Peter and Valentine achieve greater success in their secret roles, Valentine wonders if, “Perhaps it’s impossible to wear an identity without becoming what you pretend to be.” Is this musing correct? Does it ever apply to your own life? Have Valentine and Peter, in their drive to suc- ceed as Demosthenes and Locke, created their own ideo- logical “Battle School”?

17. When they meet at the lake, what does Ender explain to Valentine about loving his enemy? What conundrum does this create for Ender? Why does Ender decide to go back to his life of battle training? Where does Graff take him when they leave Earth?

18. Describe Ender’s life on Eros. Who replaces Graff as Ender’s teacher? What does Ender’s new teacher tell him about Eros that seems to explain his discomfort?

19. With the help of his fighters, former classmates from Battle School, what does Ender decide to do in his “final exam” game? What is different about this game? What is really happening?