The Maze Runner

""When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls. Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift. Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind."" -- (from The Book Smugglers) [From Amazon.com]

1. The Maze Runner is often compared by critics to The Hunger Games. What similarities did you see between the two books? How were they different? Which book did you prefer?

2. The author gives readers information about life in the Glade very slowly and in small bits, keeping readers in the dark for much of the book. Why do you think Dashner chose to tell the story this way? Were you frustrated by the lack of information?

3. Why did the Creators decide to wipe the boys’ memories before sending them to the Glade?

4. Residents of the Glade developed their own, unique way of speaking over time. Why did they develop their own words to describe everyday objects and experiences? Did the Gladers’ language affect your reading of the book? How?

5. The residents of the Glade are teenage boys and they have no adult supervision, but they spend their days diligently working in their assigned areas. Why are they so responsible?

6. Why were there only boys in the Glade until Teresa arrived? Why did the Creators add Teresa to the group?

7. What was Thomas’ connection to Teresa?

8. The Runners continued to explore the Maze every day, despite the fact that they hadn’t found a way out in over two years. Why did they keep running the maze and making maps?

9. Describe the Grievers. What purpose did they serve in the Maze?

10. What happens during the Changing? How are the victims different once they’ve been through the Changing?

11. What did Gally see during his Changing?

12. Do you think the memories the Grievers’ victims recover during the Changing are true? Why or why not?

13. What were the Creators hoping to accomplish with the experiment? Were their actions justified by the circumstances caused by the Flares?

14. Who were the people who rescued the Gladers from the Creators? Were they good or evil?

15. Are you planning to read the sequel? Why or why not?

(From Goodreads by Sammee)

Book Club Discussion Questions

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