July 9, 2008

Published in 2003, Jeanne DuPrau’s debut novel, The City of Ember, captivated me from start to finish. I read it in two days and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. Finding great books is a passion of mine, and this one stands out. I highly recommend it.

In Ember, lights shine brightly, but at the city limits, darkness takes over. Beyond the city, in the Unknown Regions, the darkness stretches endlessly. The people of Ember believe their city is the only light in the dark world. Now, the lights of Ember are beginning to fail.

Is there a way to save the people of Ember? No one knows. But Lina Mayfleet has discovered a puzzling document, and Doon Harrow has made significant discoveries in the Pipeworks. With these clues, they embark on a search for answers.

When children in Ember finish school, they begin work at twelve years of age. Lina Mayfleet desperately wants to be a messenger, running across the city delivering messages. Instead, she draws the dreaded job of Pipeworks laborer, meaning she’ll be stuck in tunnels deep underground.

Doon Harrow, who draws the job of messenger, asks to trade with Lina. Doon wants to be underground, near the generator, because he has ideas about how to fix it. The great lights of Ember have kept the darkness at bay for as long as anyone can remember, but now the lights are flickering.

When Lina finds fragments of an ancient parchment, she and Doon piece together a message that seems to be directions out of the city.

Discover the Dystopian World of Jeanne DuPrau’s City of Ember

Using City of Ember as a Learning Tool: The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau offers a great way to explore important themes. This dystopian adventure can spark discussions about managing resources, questioning authority, and the value of teamwork. Parents and teachers can encourage kids to think about how Lina and Doon face their challenges and use problem-solving skills in their dark world. The book is also a good introduction to the dystopian genre, letting students explore complex themes in an easy-to-understand way. Through exciting adventures and mysteries, kids can learn about the effects of environmental neglect and the importance of hope and creativity in overcoming obstacles. This makes The City of Ember both a fun read and a useful educational tool.

About the Author

Jeanne DuPrau has been a teacher, editor, and technical writer. The City of Ember is her first novel. She is currently working on its sequel at her home in Menlo Park, California, where she keeps a big garden and a small dog.

“What could be more interesting than thinking of mysterious happenings, finding the answers to intriguing questions, and making up new worlds?” — Jeanne DuPrau