Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

In order to develop a secure defense against a hostile alien race's next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. A brilliant young boy, Andrew "Ender" Wiggin lives with his kind but distant parents, his sadistic brother Peter, and the person he loves more than anyone else, his sister Valentine. Peter and Valentine were candidates for the soldier-training program but didn't make the cut--young Ender is the Wiggin drafted to the orbiting Battle School for rigorous military training.

Ender's skills make him a leader in school and respected in the Battle Room, where children play at mock battles in zero gravity. Yet growing up in an artificial community of young soldiers, Ender suffers greatly from isolation, rivalry from his peers, pressure from the adult teachers, and an unsettling fear of the alien invaders. His psychological battles include loneliness, fear that he is becoming like the cruel brother he remembers, and fanning the flames of devotion to his beloved sister. 

Is Ender the general Earth needs? But Ender is not the only result of the genetic experiments. The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway for almost as long. Ender's two older siblings are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. Between the three of them lie the abilities to remake a world. If the world survives, that is.

Positive Content:

Ender is a great character who always tries to do right.  He is incredibly young - likely too young for the situations he's placed into.  Everything is a test, to see how he would respond, to see if he would make an ideal leader in battle.  He isn't perfect, and frequently makes mistakes. But he has a good conscience.  He thinks about how his actions will affect those around him, and when he makes mistakes, he feels guilt over them.
He may be a soldier, but he is not violent at harm.  In fact, it is easy for readers to feel bad for his situation - because, in a way, he is more of a victim.

Possible Objectionable Content:

This book is very violent, as the kids at the battle school often get into fights outside of class.  However, the fights aren't just "filler" - every punch thrown has a purpose.  Regardless, there is still plenty of fighting, described in detail.

Also, the boys at the battle school can often be crude and vulgar.  There is much bad language throughout the book.

Conclusion:
Ender's Game is an excellent story which dives into many morally challenged issues, such as child prodigies and genocide.  When reading this book, one cannot help but think if the generals in authority are right in putting such young children in the circumstances of the novel, and teaching them to fight and have enemies.
The boys at the school, or even Ender's brother, may be cruel and violent.  Even the generals leading the war are focused on winning, rather than exhibiting right morals. But Ender is not like the others, and he truly has a good heart.  He may be a part of a war - but his character is good through it.  In fact, I'll end with this quote, because it really shows what a reflective, good character he is, despite his young age.  
"In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him."

Rating: 9/10

Recommended Age: 13+

Genre: Science Fiction

Part of a series?: Ender's Game series, book one