The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau Date of Publication: 2003 ISBN: 0375822739 Number of Pages: 270

REQUIRED READING ABILITY: Average
GENRES: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Mystery
THEMES: Survival, Coming of Age, Good versus Evil, Appearance versus Reality, Family

SUMMARY:
Lina is aware that her world is falling apart…literally. It’s the year 241, and electricity is failing in the city of Ember, as are supplies. As the story begins, Lina excitedly anticipates receiving the job she has always wanted, Messenger, but is crushed when she is given a job deep underground. Luckily her classmate Doon offers to trade with her, and at first, things seem to be okay. As time goes on, however, both Doon and Lina realize there is corruption in the city, and when Lina’s baby sister finds an unusual box with a note inside it, they realize there is also a mystery at work. Lina’s elderly Granny is not much help, for though she seems at times to recognize the mysterious box, her increasing senility doesn’t allow her to remember its origin. From their respective positions, Lina and Doon try to solve the riddle, but can they save their world before time…and light…run out?

WHO WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK? A kid who...

• loves to be kept guessing
• is fascinated by how things work and anything mechanical
• is observant about the world they see every day
• has a younger sibling who puts everything into his or her mouth
• enjoys mysterious worlds different from our own
• likes feisty protagonists who aren’t afraid to stand up for justice
• likes lots of action
• has an unusual family unit
• has an elderly grandparent with dementia or senility

WHAT ELSE?
This novel has earned a number of Starred Reviews, and is an ALA Notable Book. It suggests a possible, post-apocalyptic version of Earth and has a great prologue that will snare readers right from the beginning. The treatment of the elderly grandmother and her apparent Alzheimer’s is also well done. The details of the crisis that caused the initial Ember folk to move underground isn’t overly-described, but that should make for some interesting discussions. The story is continued in the sequel, The People of Sparks, which has been equally well received.

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