A War of Gifts: An Ender Battle School Story (Other Tales from the Ender Universe)

From Publishers Weekly Card returns to his Hugo and Nebula award-winning Enderverse saga (after 2005's Shadow of the Giant ) with a heartwarming novella for the holidays. When Zeck Morgan, the young son of a puritanical minister, qualifies for admission into the International Fleet's Battle School, he is brought to the school against his will. Citing his pacifist religious beliefs, Zeck refuses to participate in any simulated war games, but when he sees a Dutch student give a friend a small present in celebration of Sinterklaas Day, he reports the violation of the school's rules against open religious observation and sparks an uproar over religious freedom and the significance of cultural traditions. Meanwhile, Zeck becomes a pariah until series hero Ender Wiggin finds a way to show him the real meaning of the holidays. Exploring themes of tolerance and compassion, this story about stuffing stockings is, fittingly, a perfect stocking stuffer for science fiction fans of all ages. (Nov.) Copyright В© Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Review "An undeniable heavyweight. . . . This book combines Card's quirky style with his hard ethical dilemmas and sharply drawn portraits."--_New York Daily News_ on_ Ender's Game_ "Card has taken the venerable SF concepts of a superman and an interstellar war against aliens, and, with superb characterization, pacing, and language, combined them into a seamless story of compelling power."--_Booklist_ on Ender's Game "The human race is at war with an insect-like alien race. The first battles went badly, and now Earth prepares to defend itself against the imminent threat of total destruction at the hands of an inscrutable alien enemy. All focus is on the development and training of generals who can fight such a war - and win. The long distances of interstellar space have given hope to the defenders of Earth - they have time to train these future commanders from childhood, forging them into an irresistible force in the high-orbital facility called the Battle School. At the Battle School, there is only one purpose, only one curriculum: the strategy and tactics of war. The children are drawn from all nations, all races, all religions. There is no room for cultural differences, no room for religious observances, and certainly no room for Santa Claus. But the young warriors disagree. When one of them leaves a Sinterklaas Day gift in his best friend's shoe, that act of quiet rebellion becomes the first shot in a war of wills that the staff of the Battle School never bargained for"--Jacket Orson Scott Card offers a Christmas gift to his millions of fans with A War of Gifts , a short novel set during Ender Wiggin's first years at the Battle School where it is forbidden to celebrate religious holidays. The children come from many nations, many religions; while they are being trained for war, religious conflict between them is not on the curriculum. But Dink Meeker, one of the older students, doesn't see it that way. He thinks that giving gifts isn't exactly a religious observation, and on Sinterklaas Day he tucks a present into another student's shoe. This small act of rebellion sets off a battle royal between the students and the staff, but some surprising alliances form when Ender comes up against a new student, Zeck Morgan. The War over Santa Claus will force everyone to make a choice. At the Battle School, there is only one purpose, only one curriculum: the strategy and tactics of war. The children are drawn from all nations, all races, all religions. There is no room for cultural differences, no room for religious observances, and certainly no room for Santa Claus. But the young warriors disagree. When one of them leaves a Sinterklaas Day gift in his best friend's shoe, that quiet act of rebellion becomes the first shot in a war of wills that the staff of the Battle School never bargained for. "In a short novel set during Ender Wiggins's first years at Battle School, where it is forbidden to celebrate religious holidays, chaos erupts when older student Dink Meeker places a gift in another student's shoe on Sinterklaaus Day, a small act of rebellion that ignites a struggle between the students and staff and forces everyone to make a choice during the War over Santa Claus"--NoveList Set During Enders First Years At Battle School, Where It Is Forbidden To Celebrate Religious Holidays. However, After A Small Act Of Rebellion Sets Off A Battle Royal Between The Students And Staff, Some Surprising Alliances Form When Ender Comes Up Against A New Student. Orson Scott Card. A Tom Doherty Associates Book.