Maze Runner by James Dashner

Bibliographic Information:

Title: The Maze Runner

Author: James Dashner

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Copyright Date: 2009

Format: Print Book

Genre: Dystopian, Science Fiction

Awards: Georgia Peach Book Award(2011), Utah Book AwardNomineefor Young Adults(2009), Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award (RT Award)Nomineefor Best Young Adult Paranormal/Fantasy Novel(2009), Charlotte Award(2012), Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award Nominee(2011), Evergreen Teen Book Award(2012), Milwaukee County Teen Book AwardNominee(2011), Lincoln Award(2012), Truman Readers Award(2012)

Interest Level: 13-Adult

Plot Summary:

Thomas can't remember much certainly not where he is, what happened, or why. After waking up in what he believes is an elevator of sorts he is greeted by a bunch of rather dirty boys in a clearing surrounded by massive walls. He slowly learns that he has been placed in The Glade surrounded by The Maze with seemingly no way to get out and extremely dangerous creatures stalking them outside of the glade. Despite remembering anything from his past he feels some recognition with the glade, the maze, a

new girl, and knows he needs to become a runner. Will Thomas unlock the secrets of The Maze? Will he

want to?

Author Background:

James Dashner is originally from Georgia and has written the #1 New York Times Best Selling Maze Runner Series, Maze Cutter Series, Mortality Doctrine Series, 13th Reality Series, Infinity Ring Series, Jimmy Fincher Saga, and The House of Tongues. He now resides in the Rocky Mountains with his family.

Critical Evaluation:

The Maze Runner is a staple in the dystopian young adult genre and even more so today. This novel and series as a whole is so unique and tells story in a fresh way. I often find myself trying to guess the end of any mystery and it just simply cannot be done even with the clues laid out. James Dashner presents young people with new ways of looking at the world around them and teaches teens to question the norms of society and to dig deeper for the sake of humanity. One thing that I think that James Dashner expertly accomplishes is the comradery, companionship, and conversation depicted between the young men within the glade. It is important for teens, especially today and given recent events, to learn play and interaction, to witness socialization, and to find how to be themselves within the world around them, and this novel is a perfect and realistic depiction of that.

Creative Use for Library Programming:

The Maze Runner was the second book I used for my virtual book club at my middle school. I luckily got to experience this novel for the first time with the kids and created each of these activities or linked the following material as I uncovered the story. Below are some of the activities/material I linked to my book club.

Glader Talk- The Gladers have unique slang that the Greenies have to learn. We naturally create our own slang and secret code between our friends, family, community, and tribe. Create a key for some of the slang that you use with your people and share. It can be crazy or simple. Im curious how you speak in your own "Glade".

Play Quoridor in the Library- The Gladers have spent over two years trying to understand the maze with moving walls and trying to get to the "other side". Safely live out your runner dreams or just strengthen your cleverness by playing Quoridor. This chess like game is available in the library to play.

Design a Maze- Be the Creator of your own Maze and design a maze that either does or does not have a solution. Bonus points if your maze has a hidden code! Turn your friends into fellow Gladers/Runners as they try (and potentially fail) to solve your maze. I will print out copies for you and your classmates.

Speed Round Book Talk:

Ever played a puzzle you just couldn't solve and wanted to give up on? What if your were stuck in that puzzle and you couldn't leave? And throw in weird fleshy robotic monsters trying to sting you! Then what?

Potential Challenges and Defense Preparation:

As the first novel in the series it is hard to come up with things that people may question in regard to this book. As the author creates new language to replace "bad" words. However there is a lot of violence that is depicted in the novel. Because you along with the main character in the book are trying to find out what has happened this book only begins to introduce political and philosophical dilemmas that some may challenge. One important thing to note is the relatively recent backlash that the author has undergone due to allegations of sexual harassment. He has since come forward acknowledging the allegations and taken responsibility to seek help and be better at holding professional boundaries moving forward. This discussion has lead to further reexamination within the publishing and literature world. This scandal has cast a bit of a shadow upon the series, however as a work of literature it is still crucially relevant and influential to the rest of the genre and the development of teen thought. It is important to both hold authors accountable for their work and actions (Lombardi, 2024). As a moral dilemma it is up to you to decide how you wish to engage and/or support content written by potentially challenging authors.

Reason for Inclusion:

I am including this work because I have incorporated and highlighted it as a work within my library's collection. I also find that I have been turning to literature of my youth which was a extremely pivotal time in teen literature. The Maze Runner took over not only young adult literature scene but literature in general. I think that in today's world it is important to highlight works for young adults that encourage civic engagement and intrigue. While this author does have a questionable history, his work is still something that is extremely influential in ways that should be discussed. Plus I love Thomas Brody Sangster!

Check Out:

References:

Amazon. (n.d.). The Maze Runner. Acccessed February 18th 2025 from https://www.amazon.com/Maze-Runner-James-Dashner/dp/038538520X

Goodreads. (n.d.). The Maze Runner. Accessed February 18th 2025 from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6186357-the-maze-runner?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_6

James Dashner. (n.d.). Home. Accessed February 18th 2025 from https://www.jamesdashner.com/#/

Lombardi, Esther. (September 2024). The Maze Runner Controversy: A Dystopian Tale of Allegations and Accountability. Book Geek. https://www.abookgeek.com/the-maze-runner-controversy-a-dystopian-tale-of-allegations-and-accountability/

@mysweety. (December 2024). The Maze Runner Playlist. Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5gg6NPh8uF2LMI4LRpug94?si=VAo2W_ZHRVWS005K3oYKxw&nd=1&dlsi=81f81f9948aa4929