The City of Ember

The City of Ember By Jeanne DuPrau

At age 12, Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow are finishing school and ready to begin working.  In the City of Ember, everybody works and contributes to the efficient running of the city.  

But city progress is faltering.  Ember is a city of darkness.  Its citizens rely completely on artificial light.  The lights come on in the morning and go out when it’s time to sleep. Rumour has it, however, that lightbulbs are beginning to run out, and blackouts are becoming more and more common.

Canned food is also getting scarce as the vast storerooms of Ember are emptying out.  Fresh food is grown in greenhouses using artificial light, but disease is starting to rot some of the produce.  Ember is in crisis.  

Lina and Doon are determined to help find a way to save the city.  When they discover an old box in Lina’s closet with partially destroyed instructions inside, Lina and Doon believe they may have found the answer.  But will anyone listen to a couple of kids?

Jeanne DuPrau’s City of Ember is a survival story with a twist.  The city itself is fascinating, and children will be captivated by the small details of life in a city of darkness.  Kids will also love the heroism of the two children who act boldly to do what they feel is right.