Prologue: The Brothers (Great and Terrible Series)

By Chris Stewart

This is a fictional story about the Pre-existence. I know sounds dangerous. Amazingly this author pull it off in a believable way. While clearly not doctrine, it is interesting. The fictionalization of spiritual leaders did not make me cringe, as some other Mormon author's characterization of leaders has. It is a painful reminder of what our purpose on earth is. In some points the book is heart wrenching. One must possess a good working knowledge of preexistence and latter-day revelation to Joseph Smith to understand the deeper implications of this book. It is steeped in Mormon doctrine. The story is gripping and intense. As long as you understand this is fiction, it is quite enjoyable.

5 out of 5

Language: While there is no swearing the debates get heated and carry quite a bit of emotion. Lucifer is quite brutal in his denunciation of God's plan of happiness, which might startle younger children.

Morality: not an issue

Violence: There are several scenes of violence. Particularly one where the earth life is depicted, very brutal violence is described, while not in detail, it could be disturbing.

age: 14 and up

Inkheart

By Cornelia Funke

This book has impressive imagery the prose in the book is stunning. It tells the story of a girl Meggie and her Father, Mo. It is very interesting and enjoyable to read. This is a fantasy book of sorts, but places the fantasy in our world.

5 out of 5 stars

Language: Occasionally there are swear words, only those found in the Bible.

Morality: Not an issue

Violence: Many threats of violence and rumors of violence. Some children are in direct peril, which may be frightening to young readers. The villains are ruthless and show no mercy. There are abductions, and people put in cages.

Age: 12 and up

Ender's Game

This is a great book that deal a lot with ethics, and war/violence and leadership. The plot revolves around Battle School, a place where children are trained to fight the "buggers" alien invaders who have attacked earth. The intellectual component is very engaging, It is definitely intended for an older audience since it deals with war and more complex themes.

Overall: 5 out of 5

Language: This book has more swearing than most books about children. There is also crude language, and six year old humor.

Violence: This book is about war, and training soldiers therefore it has much violence. Some of the violence is quite graphic and due to the age of the children it is brutal.

Morality: No explicit immorality.

For a more complete review: http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/Enders-Game.html

Age appropriate: 14 and up

Speaker Series (About Ender as an adult)

By Orson Scott Card

Includes: Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, Children of the Mind

This is an intellectually engaging series that deals with ethics of interspecies relations, in proxy for interracial. It deals with tolerance, acceptance, and also deals with power structures, especially the role of religion and government. Also discussed are issues of morality, why is fidelity in marriage and abstinence before is beneficial to society. I found these books quite engaging. It also deals with remorse, forgiveness and redemption. Premise of the Plot is that a sentient species is found on a planet that has been colonized by humans, the plot revolves around issues such as how should they be treated, also much more human aspects are about a family on the planet who are the main characters.

4 out of 5

Language: frequent swearing

Violence: some violence, including children fighting, and a father who is physically, verbally and emotionally abusive. A ritual involving disemboweling a living piggie, and human are depicted.

Morality: A portion of the book is devoted to evolutionary conjectures about how the other sentient species evolved, which included conjectures on their reproduction. At times this is a little uncomfortable. Randomly there will be innuendos that also made me slightly uncomfortable.

Age: 16 and up

Ender's Shadow (Shadow Series)

By Orson Scott Card

Includes: Ender's Shadow, Shadow of the Hegemon, Shadow Puppets, and Shadow of the Giant

This series follow a character from Ender's Game... Bean. Beans early life was difficult and violent. This book series also follows Peter (Ender's brother) and his Jeesh. This book series deal alot with political unrest and governments seizing power. A lot of war is depicted. The most interesting aspect of this series is the political struggles and maneuvering.

3 out of 5

Language: Very frequent swearing

Morality: One instance in the Shadow of the Giant. Virlomi puts on a new dress and walks into Hyderabad. Just skip to the beginning of the next chapter. You won't miss anything, I skipped it when it became apparent it wasn't good and it worked out just fine.

Violence: Graphic and unnecessary violence in these books.

Age: 16 and up