Join in with book of the month The Maze Runner. It’s also a film and a series but you just have to read the first one to answer our book club questions below.
Maze Runner – the blurb
When the doors of the lift crank open, the only thing Thomas remembers is his first name. But he’s not alone.
He’s surrounded by boys who welcome him to the Glade – a walled encampment at the center of a bizarre and terrible stone maze. Like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they came to be there – or what’s happened to the world outside.
All they know is that every morning when the walls slide back, they will risk everything – even the Grievers, half-machine, half-animal horror that patrol its corridors, to try and find out …
Run, Eat, Sleep, Repeat
So it’s an oldie and a more grown uppie for this month’s choice. The Maze Runner was first released in 2009 with the film in 2014. It’s a teen read as there is a bit of violence and death so be warned. Thomas spends most of his time overwhelmed, angry and full of questions. Yet is told to shut up, stop asking and accept. I’m not sure whether it was a deliberate move by Dashner to cut down on the world building but you did feel Thomas’ frustration. It’s a series so the book did end on a cliff hanger but then I knew it did as I’d already watched the film(s). Even having watched them I struggled to conjure up certain images at times. The Grievers in particular evaded me (which could be a good thing) so those who haven’t seen the film may struggle. Then again it could just be me.
Book club questions
+++ These questions contain spoilers and should only be used if you have read the book already!+++
- What year do you think the book is set in? What makes you think this?
- What was the one bit of information you wanted to know the most about Thomas and his new surroundings?
- Can you draw a map of your local area from memory? How do you think the Runners managed to remember a new area every day?
- Is the book just for boys as there is mostly just boy characters? If not why not?
- Why do you think Thomas is key to all the changes going on in the book?
If you would like to join in with the Children’s Book of the Month keep your eyes peeled for the next book in a few days time. A review with book club questions is usually posted on the last Monday of the month and you can check out previous Book of the Months such as Orion Lost by Alastair Chisholm by clicking on the Young Adult/Kids button at the top of the Home Page.
