The Maze Runner
by James Dashner
Delacorte Press: New York, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-385-73794-4
A boy comes to in a
rising elevator. He is disoriented,
scared, and clueless as to where, or who, he is. He has no memory from life before, even of
how old he is, only that his name is Thomas. When he disembarks, he finds himself on what appears to be a
small working farm, populated only with other teenage boys. This, as he comes to find out, is the
Glade. The Gladers have lived here for
two years and also have no memories prior to their own arrivals. They have, however, discovered that the Glade
is located in the middle of a giant, treacherous maze, whose walls shift daily,
enclosing them inside nightly, protecting them from the monsters that lurk
beyond. But things are changing; the first ever girl arrives a day after
Thomas, in a coma, but clutching a note that simply says “She’s the last
one. Ever.” Thomas, begins feel like he remembers things
about the maze, and the mysterious girl, though he can’t fully recall what. He’ll have to, because the Gladers are facing
a whole new set of challenges: they’ve been cut off from all supplies, and the
walls have stopped shifting to protect them at night. Will they find a way out of the maze, and
discover who they are and why they are even inside it before it is too late? Because
of some violence and death, this book is recommended to middle school boys, and
will have appeal to fans of The Hunger
Games.
Book talk hook: (Yeah, I'm back on the sauce. For now.) Briefly summarize the disorientation experienced by Thomas, asking the group to close their eyes and imagine that feeling. Then continue with a brief summary, emphasis on the danger, excitement of trying to find a way out, and the shock at having a girl show up, bearing that super showstopper of a confusing message. Hook, line, stinkers!
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