Written by Orson Scott Card and Emily Janice Card
Illustrated by Honoel A. Ibardolaza
IL: Grades 6 and up
RL: 3+
Orson Scott Card pairs up with his children to create this manga like novel. Laddertop is set in the future where an alien race known as the Givers have set giant towers known as Ladders to power the Earth. Robbi and her BFF Azure have been accepted to Laddertop Academy, an exclusive school which trains young people to climb the ladders and perform maintenance on the Ladders. While Azure is excited at the prospect, Robbi is not- she didn't apply to Laddertop because she wants to stay at home to protect her step-siblings from her abusive stepfather. When both Robbi and Azure get accepted, Robbi is excited yet worried to leave home. We follow Robbi, Azure and the other "web rat trainees" through their training school and finally up to the ladders, where it becomes apparent that something strange is going on.
There is no resolution in this story as it's the first installment of this series and in fact it ends as a cliffhanger, leaving the reader waiting for the next volume. This is a light read, not serious manga, but it's a good introduction to the genre. The illustrations are crisp and add to the story. The adults in the book are of two types- clueless and there just to oversee the children and nefarious, menacing men who you think might cause harm. However, the young female characters are strong and adventurous making this good for girl readers who are looking for adventure.
Card, O.S. and Card, E.J. (2011). Laddertop. New York, NY: Tor/Seven Seas Paperback.
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