The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Dashner, J. (2010). The scorch trials. New York: Delacorte Press.

ISBN-13: 978-0-385-73875-0

Plot Summary

This second installment of The Maze Runner series picks up where the first left off. Thomas and the rest of the Gladers, having survived the murderous Maze, are now faced with WICKED’s second experimental trial. After just one night of rest, they are told that in order to find a safe haven, they must cross a wide expanse of sun-scorched land. To make matters more complicated, they are pursued by Cranks, zombie-like humans infected with the Flare, a disease that causes insanity and has already wiped out much of Earth’s population. As if that is not enough, Thomas and the rest learn that they, too, are infected with the Flare, and if they can successfully cross the postapocalyptic wasteland, they can be cured and live in safety. Thomas searches for his missing friend from the Glade, Teresa, as the boys struggle for survival and to understand why this government group is doing this to them.

Critical Evaluation

Once again, Dashner creates a world with vivid description to make the setting come alive for the readers’ senses: “The town seemed to have grow during the night, its buildings stretching toward the cloudless purple-blue sky” (120), “Heat, like a dry ocean through which they had to swim” (123), “The world was lost in the sound of roaring, screaming air” (131). The desolate landscape reflects the bleak mood of the characters, who continue to be well developed and believable through their actions and their language. Their conversations are flowing realistic teen speak woven together with Maze Runner vocabulary. For example, “Come on, dude,” and then, “What the shuck you talkin’ about?” The fast-paced plot and dialogue lead reader across the treacherous landscape. While there are holes in the plot, the reader is left expecting answers to remaining questions in the next book, The Death Cure (2011). Readers will connect with themes of wondering who to trust and missing the person you love.

 

Reader’s Annotation

 

Thomas and the Gladers have survived the Maze only to find themselves part of another trial: cross the barren, sun-scorched wasteland to find the cure of the disease they’ve been infected with. The identifying tattoos they now have are only part of the question, why are they being forced to do this?

 

Author Information

 

Please see the blog post for The Maze Runner.

Genre

Young Adult Fiction

Science Fiction

Dystopian novel

Suspense

Romance

Survival

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Book Talking Ideas

Epidemics, infectious diseases, telepathy.

Reading Level/ Interest Age

The protogonist is 16; appropriate for readers 14 and up.

Challenge Issues

Violence

Challenge Defense

In defense of a challenge, I would cite these reviews as well as ALA's Strategies and Tips for Dealing with Challenges to Library Materials.

Booklist 01/01/11

School Library Journal 12/01/10

Horn Book 05/01/11

Voice of Youth Advocates (V.O.Y.A.) 12/01/10

Kirkus Review 10/01/10

Why did I include this title?

I enjoy reading series, and because The Maze Runner is so popular, my school library is also purchasing more copies of The Scorch Trials. I can’t seem to keep up with my students. They are hungry for more. Unfortunately, we do not have The Death Cure yet, but at least I will be able to discuss this book with them and join in the begging for the third installment. I especially appreciate how the middle books of trilogies create a bridge from the first book to the last while remaining able to stand on its own.