The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner

 

Author – James Dashner

 

Genre – Action, Adventure, Dystopian

 

Number of pages – 400 (paperback)

 

Is this book part of a series? –  Yes

 

Links to Amazon US

Amazon UK

Barnes and Noble

 

Formats available – ebook, paperback, audio CD, hardcover

 

Target age of reader - 12 and up

 

Reading level -  Lexile measurement = HL770L

 

Description -  When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

 

Themes of the book – Survival, adventure, working together, alternate worlds, life, family, friends

 

Main Character is – a boy, Thomas. Most of the characters are male

 

The story takes place in - an imaginary world

 

Overall rating of this book  – PG

 

** Spoiler Alert **

 

~ Content ~

 

Language, profanity, cussing – The author made up his own words - shank, clunk, etc.. basically swear words, but not offensive

 

Sexual references or actions – Next to none. There is a scene where one boy commands the others to make sure a girl isn't "messed with".

 

Violence – A handful of fight scenes, battles with beasts, a boy being fed to the beasts, and someone being shot in the head with an arrow. Lots of people die.

 

Drugs, alcohol, etc – none,

 

Religious themes  - none

 

Character types - mostly human, mechanical creatures

 

Heads up for sensitive readers:

 See above in the violence section
Kids are away from home - remembering their parents, lonely
 

Is this a good title for book reports?    Yes - boys will find many things to write about: survival, what would you do in this situation, how far would you go to survive, themes of working together to survive, etc.

  

You can read my review of this story by clicking here –  The Maze Runner. That link will bring you to Amazon.  My family listened to the audio CD and LOVED it.

 

~ * ~

Jenna

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