Have you ever read a book, then set it down and wondered, “How have I settled for reading so many mediocre books . . . when this one is fantastic?”

“He began his new life standing up . . .”—begins The Maze Runner by bestselling author of The 13th Reality series, James Dashner.

Thomas knows his name, but that’s about it. He’s forgotten everything else. Everything. Even his age.

It’s pitch black, and Thomas is in a metal contraption of sorts—moving upward. When the elevator stops, the top opens to reveal a group of boys staring down at him. “Nice to meet ya, shank,” one of the boys says, “Welcome to the Glade.”

Thomas stumbles into a glade surrounded by a seemingly unsolvable maze. Each night the maze doors shut, and each morning the maze has reconfigured itself. The glad is ran by a group of boys, but no one can get in and no one can get out. Once a week the elevator delivers food and other goods. But the week that Thomas arrives, the elevator st...