| Booktalk
#1
Bean appeared first on the
streets of Rotterdam. He was a tiny child for his age, but his mind more
than made up for his physical size. He used his mind to survive rather
than his strength, joined a gang, and made it the example for all other
gangs in the city. Eventually, he gained the notice and the enmity of Achilles,
an older brilliant child with a disposition towards manipulation and control
. . . one who would kill anyone who ever saw him in a moment of weakness.
Eventually, Bean came to the
notice of Battle School, the interstellar school for child military genius'
that were being trained to defeat the "Buggers," the insect-like alien
race who threatened the existence of the entire human race. Bean was accepted
to Battle School, as was Achilles. Eventually, Bean was forced to subdue
his rival and humiliate him to the point that Achilles was thrown out of
Battle School.
Bean, meanwhile, became the
right hand of "Ender" Wiggin, the "best of the best." and the head of all
the generals. Bean was the steadying force behind Ender. He was the one
who, despite being the youngest and smallest, always excelled and watched
and learned. He was the one who stepped in and led when Ender was too sick
and exhausted to lead. It was Bean who understood the truth, who figured
out that the 'test' battles were directing real men in real ships who were
dying against the Buggers. He was the strategist and may have really been
the Best of the Best, always there, always ready to step in at a moment's
notice. He was Ender's Shadow.
Sam Marsh (Colorado
Blue Spruce Children's Award) |
