The Maze Runner Series (4-Book)

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2014

80%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

Lord of the Flies meets a giant concrete puzzle box that really wants to kill you.

The Maze Runner Series (4-Book)

book

2014

80%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

Lord of the Flies meets a giant concrete puzzle box that really wants to kill you.

4.6

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4.6

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Screenwise Verdict

The Maze Runner is a relic of the 2010s dystopian boom, but unlike some of its peers, it actually holds up because the central hook—the Maze itself—is so strong.

It’s fast, it’s violent, and it’s a bit cynical. If your kid is sensitive to character deaths, maybe skip it, because Dashner isn't afraid to kill off fan favorites.

But for a middle-schooler who needs a break from screens, this is one of the few series that can actually compete with a video game for their attention span. Just be prepared for them to start calling everyone a 'shuck-face' for a week.

Age Fit

Best for 11 to 15-year-olds. It’s the sweet spot for kids who want something 'grown-up' and intense but aren't ready for full-blown adult horror or heavy romance.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It's heavy on the 'survival of the fittest' vibe. While the boys form a community with clear rules, the environment is oppressive and the characters are often forced into brutal choices. It's more about gritty endurance than warm-and-fuzzy cooperation.

Imaginative

The concept of a giant, mechanical, shifting maze is top-tier world-building. Dashner created a unique vocabulary ('shuck-face', 'klunk') and a mystery that actually makes you want to keep turning pages to see what's behind the wall.

Safe

It's a book, so no tech risks, but the content is intense. We're talking about bio-mechanical monsters (Grievers) that impale kids, a brain-melting plague, and some pretty descriptive deaths. It's safe for the intended teen audience, but it's definitely not a bedtime story for the elementary crowd.

Enriching

Great for reluctant readers because the pacing is relentless. It pushes kids to think about ethics—specifically whether the 'greater good' justifies torturing individuals. It also models resilience in the face of total memory loss.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The 'Glade' slang makes the world feel lived-in and distinct without using actual swear words.
It’s a perfect 'hook' series for kids who think books are boring; the cliffhangers are everywhere.
Explores how a society forms from scratch when everyone has amnesia.
The mystery of WICKED provides a solid foundation for talking about government overreach and ethics.

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What to Watch For

The Grievers are nightmare fuel—part slug, part machine, all spikes.
Major characters die, and it’s often sudden and messy.
The later books (The Scorch Trials and The Death Cure) get significantly bleaker and more confusing than the first one.

Conversation Starters

"If you woke up in the Glade with no memory, which job would you want: Runner, Cook, or Med-jack?"
"Is it ever okay to hurt a few people to save the whole world? That's WICKED's whole argument."
"Why do you think the creators chose only boys for the Glade at first? How would it have been different with girls?"
"If you were Thomas, would you have run into the Maze to save Alby and Minho even if it meant breaking the rules?"

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The Maze Runner Series (4-Book) – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise