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1. Bibliographic Information
Dashner, J. (2009). The maze runner. New York: Listening Library.
Audiobook read by Mark Deakins
9 Disks
ISBN: 978-0307582881
2. Plot Summary
When Thomas emerges from the dark room, he finds himself surrounded by a group of boys. Remembering only his name, Thomas begins his life in the Glade. The Glade is an outdoor community engulfed by walls, protecting the boys from the maze. Everyone has a job; some in the care and upkeep of the Glade, while others run through the maze hoping to find answers of why they are here and how to get out. Life in the Glade is determined by routines. On the same day every month, a new boy is sent to the Glade. At the same time everyday, the gates to the maze are opened and later closed. At night the Grievers come to stalk the boys. However, with Thomas’ entrance strange things begin to happen. The day after Thomas’ arrival, a girl named Teresa is sent to the maze. When the maze doors refuse to close the Gladers know their time is numbered. Can Thomas find the answers to the maze, his link to Teresa, and his own mind before it’s too late?
3. Critical Evaluation
The Maze Runner is an interesting addition to the futuristic dystopian novels. The plot itself is reminiscent of Golding’s Lord of the Flies; however, Dashner's work takes a more direct approach, simply looking at the psychological effects of abandonment, isolation, confusion and danger rather than commenting on the loss of humanity. Converse to Golding’s work, though, is the boys’ ability to remain positive through their experiences. Despite their unrelenting lifestyle, the boys use order and routine to counteract their desolation and fear. Nevertheless, the end of the novel felt lacking in execution. While it is evident that The Maze Runner is to be the first book in a trilogy, the author provides the reader with no explanations, the boys with a false sense of security, and a hanging resolution thus making the ending seem empty. The themes and survival techniques so vigorously employed by the Gladers is meaningless. Furthermore, since almost all of the questions generated from this book remain unanswered, the lasting impression of the boys who struggled in the maze for two years is wasted. Perhaps this book’s resolution will appear better when all of the books are published and the reader can fully understand the motives of the characters and author.
4. Reader’s Annotation
Thomas wakes up in a dark room, remembering only his name. When a light emerges, he finds himself surrounded by a group of boys in a maze. Thomas is sure that the secrets that could help them escape remained locked in his brain. Can Thomas find these answers before it’s too late?
5. Information about the Author
James Dashner was born in Georgia but now lives in the Rocky Mountains with his wife and kids. His other books include The 13th Reality Series and the subsequent sequels to The Maze Runner which have yet to be published.
6. Genre
Science Fiction
7. Curriculum Ties
This book would be interesting for a philosophical debate on reality, ethics, and leadership roles.
8. Booktalking Ideas
-How do the creators use routine to control the Gladers?
-Do you think you would have given up on hope for escape if you had been in the Glade for 2 years?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
I would recommend this book for older teens aged 16-18.
10. Challenge Issues
There are some instances of graphic violence including boys beating each other up, a young boy getting struck from a bow and arrow, and boys dying from a hybrid animal/machine all in the context of a post-apocalyptic future. The “creators” are also seen as unfeeling scientists using the boys for some unknown reason.
If anyone wished to challenge this book, I would encourage them to look at the ALA’s website and challenge form found at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
Dashner, J. (2009). The maze runner. New York: Listening Library.
Audiobook read by Mark Deakins
9 Disks
ISBN: 978-0307582881
2. Plot Summary
When Thomas emerges from the dark room, he finds himself surrounded by a group of boys. Remembering only his name, Thomas begins his life in the Glade. The Glade is an outdoor community engulfed by walls, protecting the boys from the maze. Everyone has a job; some in the care and upkeep of the Glade, while others run through the maze hoping to find answers of why they are here and how to get out. Life in the Glade is determined by routines. On the same day every month, a new boy is sent to the Glade. At the same time everyday, the gates to the maze are opened and later closed. At night the Grievers come to stalk the boys. However, with Thomas’ entrance strange things begin to happen. The day after Thomas’ arrival, a girl named Teresa is sent to the maze. When the maze doors refuse to close the Gladers know their time is numbered. Can Thomas find the answers to the maze, his link to Teresa, and his own mind before it’s too late?
3. Critical Evaluation
The Maze Runner is an interesting addition to the futuristic dystopian novels. The plot itself is reminiscent of Golding’s Lord of the Flies; however, Dashner's work takes a more direct approach, simply looking at the psychological effects of abandonment, isolation, confusion and danger rather than commenting on the loss of humanity. Converse to Golding’s work, though, is the boys’ ability to remain positive through their experiences. Despite their unrelenting lifestyle, the boys use order and routine to counteract their desolation and fear. Nevertheless, the end of the novel felt lacking in execution. While it is evident that The Maze Runner is to be the first book in a trilogy, the author provides the reader with no explanations, the boys with a false sense of security, and a hanging resolution thus making the ending seem empty. The themes and survival techniques so vigorously employed by the Gladers is meaningless. Furthermore, since almost all of the questions generated from this book remain unanswered, the lasting impression of the boys who struggled in the maze for two years is wasted. Perhaps this book’s resolution will appear better when all of the books are published and the reader can fully understand the motives of the characters and author.
4. Reader’s Annotation
Thomas wakes up in a dark room, remembering only his name. When a light emerges, he finds himself surrounded by a group of boys in a maze. Thomas is sure that the secrets that could help them escape remained locked in his brain. Can Thomas find these answers before it’s too late?
5. Information about the Author
James Dashner was born in Georgia but now lives in the Rocky Mountains with his wife and kids. His other books include The 13th Reality Series and the subsequent sequels to The Maze Runner which have yet to be published.
6. Genre
Science Fiction
7. Curriculum Ties
This book would be interesting for a philosophical debate on reality, ethics, and leadership roles.
8. Booktalking Ideas
-How do the creators use routine to control the Gladers?
-Do you think you would have given up on hope for escape if you had been in the Glade for 2 years?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
I would recommend this book for older teens aged 16-18.
10. Challenge Issues
There are some instances of graphic violence including boys beating each other up, a young boy getting struck from a bow and arrow, and boys dying from a hybrid animal/machine all in the context of a post-apocalyptic future. The “creators” are also seen as unfeeling scientists using the boys for some unknown reason.
If anyone wished to challenge this book, I would encourage them to look at the ALA’s website and challenge form found at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
11. Why was it selected?
During the Elluminate Session for The Hunger Games, one of the presentations recommended this book.
12. Citations
Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
During the Elluminate Session for The Hunger Games, one of the presentations recommended this book.
12. Citations
Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
Dashner, J. (2009). The maze runner. New York: Listening Library.
Picture
Amazon.com. (2010). The maze runner [Audiobook][Unabridged] (Audio CD).
Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Maze-Runner-James-Dashner/dp/0307582884/ref=tmm_abk_title_0
Picture
Amazon.com. (2010). The maze runner [Audiobook][Unabridged] (Audio CD).
Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Maze-Runner-James-Dashner/dp/0307582884/ref=tmm_abk_title_0
13. Awards
No awards known.
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