This is an amazing book about a young boy who saves the world of the future -- but it's not that of a hero, but that of a scared young boy who is too smart for his own comfort. I wish that I would have read this book when I was an angsty teen, because I would have related so well to Ender -- as I think lots of "unconventional" kids could have. He is smart and through his intelligence and understanding he becomes an outsider.Most importantly, I think that this is a much better book than "Catcher in the Rye" as it's not about depression but about desperation and doing to your utmost abilities and living the days with what you have. The child goes through development and stages and pain and misunderstanding that all children do, and I think that it's a good book to show these emotions and help young adults understand that they are not alone.Overall, the book is superbly written, and goes quickly.