What would it feel like to save the world at only eleven years old? Orson Scott Card's novel "Ender's Game" tells the story of an imperiled mankind after two wars with the buggers, an alien species. In preparation for an anticipated third invasion, Earth's children, including Andrew "Ender"" Wiggin, are trained to become future commanders for the third invasion. At the school, Ender's tactical smarts are revealed, which eventually lead him to become commander of the International Fleet. He ends the war by annihilating the entire bugger species. Throughout the novel, it becomes clear that Ender is a very complex character; he is a genius, but extremely lonely.
Ender is a very intelligent child. He is six years old at the beginning of the novel, yet he can talk, write, and think like an accomplished Quantum Physicist. Although he is still a child, it is clear from the novel that good things do come in small packages; his small size is merely a container for brilliance. Ender is a tremendous leader. He is aware of exactly how to instill confidence, competence, and unity in people he works with. Before being promoted commander of the Dragon Army, Ender is a soldier in the Salamander Army, commanded by Bonzo Madrid, a rude and terrible leader with Spanish pride. Bonzo's methods of leadership include instilling fear into his soldiers. Being under Bonzo's command shows Ender what true leadership is, and helps him in the long run when he becomes commander of the Dragon Army. He leads his soldiers with respect, and does not develop any personal relationships with them. Throughout his residency as a commander in Battle School, he is met with impossible, unheard of challenges and battles, yet he and his soldiers get through and win every one under his leadership. The website shmoop.com says that although Ender always looks like the underdog, "in every situatuon," [the reader is] reminded that Ender is smarter than his opponents and even a better fighter (Shmoop Editorial Team).
