The Maze Runner, By James Dashner

The Maze Runner, by James Dashner, is a book about a group of boys who are stuck in a giant maze that constantly is changing. At the beginning of the book, Thomas, the main character, wakes up in a metal box and the only thing he can remember is his name. He then is lifted out of the box and into a large field. There are huge stone walls covered in ivy surrounding the field and four openings in the walls, one for each side. The inhabitants of the field are about sixty boys, who call themselves Gladers. Throughout the book, the main character tries to figure out who he is and why he is in the “Glade,” as the boys call it. He soon figures out they are in the middle of a maze that closes and changes every night. The day after Thomas arrives, another person arrives in the “Glade”

One of the boys in the Glade, Chuck, really stands out and Thomas takes him under his wing. He protects him and makes sure he is okay throughout the book. Near the end of the book, there is a big battle and Thomas doesn't want Chuck To get hurt: “—Chuck ran past Thomas, who quickly reached out and grabbed his arm. Chuck stumbled backward, then looked up at Thomas, his eyes so full of fright Thomas felt something shatter in his heart. In that split second, he’d made a decision. ‘Chuck, you’re with me and Teresa.’ He said it forcefully, with authority, leaving no room for doubt. Chuck looked ahead at the engaged battle. ‘But …’ He trailed off, and Thomas knew the boy relished the idea though he was ashamed to admit it … Thomas felt the pang of sadness in his heart, felt the urge to get Chuck home safely stronger than he’d ever felt it before” (Dashner 334, 335). This quote shows how much Thomas likes the boy because he is possibly endangering the mission just to save Chuck. A little after this quote, Chuck actually solves the last piece of the maze and saves them all. This shows how important of a lesson compassion