Ender's Game (Ender Quintet Book 1)

In order to prepare for a hostile alien race's next attack, government agencies recruit and train child geniuses as soldiers. Andrew "Ender" Wiggin, a brilliant young boy, is drafted to the orbiting Battle School for rigorous military training, while his two older siblings—Peter and Valentine—were deemed unsuitable for the program. At Battle School, Ender becomes a leader among his peers and earns respect in the Battle Room, where children conduct mock battles in zero gravity. However, living in an artificial military community takes a psychological toll. Ender experiences isolation, rivalry from other students, pressure from adult instructors, and fear of the alien invaders. He struggles with loneliness and worries that he is becoming like his cruel brother Peter, while maintaining deep devotion to his sister Valentine. Ender's two siblings are products of the same genetic experiments and possess unusual abilities in their own ways. Together, the three of them hold the potential to reshape the world—if the world survives the century-long war with the Buggers and the search for the perfect military commander. Winner of the 1985 Nebula Award for Best Novel and the 1986 Hugo Award for Best Novel.