Ender's Game Graphic Novel – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Ender's Game Graphic Novel

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2002

88%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

Child geniuses in space suits playing laser tag—except the stakes are literally the extinction of the human race. No pressure, Ender.

Ender's Game Graphic Novel

book

2002

88%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

Child geniuses in space suits playing laser tag—except the stakes are literally the extinction of the human race. No pressure, Ender.

4.6

Jump to

Also rated on

4.6

View →

Where to Read

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)

Screenwise Verdict

Ender's Game is the gold standard for 'smart' sci-fi, and this graphic novel adaptation does a great job of making the complex zero-G strategy visual. It’s not a light read—Ender is isolated, manipulated by adults, and bullied by peers—but that’s exactly why it works. It respects a kid's intelligence.

If your kid is into gaming or strategy, they'll see themselves in Ender, but be ready for some heavy post-read chats about the morality of war and how we treat 'the other.' It’s a classic for a reason, and it hasn't lost its punch despite being a few decades old.

Age Fit

Best for the 10-14 crowd. Younger kids might enjoy the space battles, but the real meat of the story is the moral weight and the psychological toll of being 'the smart kid,' which hits hardest in middle school.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It’s a story about child soldiers being manipulated by adults. While the bond between Ender and his sister Valentine is a bright spot, the overall tone is one of isolation and pressure. It's not 'feel-good,' but it is emotionally resonant.

Imaginative

The zero-gravity Battle Room and the psychological tactical games are legendary. This adaptation brings the complex spatial strategy of the book to life visually in a way that sparks a lot of 'what if' thinking about future tech and space.

Safe

The violence is mostly clinical or tactical, but there is some brutal child-on-child bullying that results in death (though Ender isn't aware of it immediately). It's safe for older kids, but the psychological intensity might be too much for sensitive younger ones.

Enriching

This is a masterclass in empathy and ethics. It forces readers to look at 'the enemy' differently and questions the cost of winning. It’s basically a philosophy and leadership seminar wrapped in a sci-fi skin.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

A total masterclass in strategy and tactical thinking that will hook any kid who loves gaming.
The graphic novel format makes the complex 'Battle Room' scenes much easier to follow than the original prose.
It treats kids like they're smart, handling big themes like empathy and the morality of war without talking down to the reader.
The art style is dynamic and helps ground the high-concept sci-fi elements.

⚠

What to Watch For

The bullying is surprisingly visceral and grounded in real-world cruelty, not just 'cartoon' mean kids.
The ending is a massive gut-punch that deals with accidental genocide—it’s heavy stuff for a Saturday afternoon.
Ender’s older brother, Peter, is a straight-up sociopath who threatens his siblings in ways that can be genuinely creepy.

Conversation Starters

"If you knew someone was going to hit you, is it okay to hit them first to make sure they never do it again?"
"Why do the adults in the book keep so many secrets from Ender?"
"Once you understand your enemy well enough to defeat them, do you also end up loving them?"
"Is it right to use kids to fight a war if they're the only ones smart enough to win it?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic