The City of Ember

Title: The City of Ember
ISBN:0375822747
Author: Jeanne DuPrau
Award Won: American Library Association Notable Book
Age recommendation: ages 9 and up
Group Represented: Citizens of Ember, race is not mentioned





The story is about two main characters Lina and Doon, who live in the city of Ember. The two characters are given work assignments at the age of 12 after they finish what the city says is their education. Lina is given the assignment to work in Pipeworks and fix the cities water pipes and leaks and Doon is given the job assignment of messenger. Doon trades with Lina because he wants to know more about the river that helps to pump water into the city and gives the town electricity. Doon wants to help the city come up with a solution to their shortage of light bulbs and their weakening water system. The city also experiences many black outs and their electric system is slowly failing. Their pipes are old and the generator is breaking as well. The city does not have a sky and sun and only gets light from the many street lights in the city that only stay on for a period of time each day. The citizens do not have knowledge of flashlights or candles and cannot explore areas outside of Ember because of this reason. One day when Lina's grandmother is sorting through her closet she finds her baby sister Poppy with an old box and a strange piece of paper that she has begun to tear up. Lina takes what is left of the paper and tries to piece it together. She soon discovers that the piece of paper are important instructions for the way out of Ember. Lina and Doon follow the instructions and find a room full of boats, candles, and matches in the pipeworks. The instructions tell them to take the boat down the river to a new place for them to live. After they learn that the mayor is hording supplies Lina and Doon decide to follow the directions and find the new land to help save the people of Ember. Lina and Doon take the boats down the river and through a strange tunnel and discover a new place with a sun and a sky. They realize that Ember is a city underground and that is why they only had light from street lamps. They drop a message out into the darkness to the people of Ember that they have found a new place to save the citizens of Ember.





This could be used in a science fiction unit for kids. It could also be used in a unit on saving the environment. The students could read the book and understand how important the environment is and how they should appreciate all that the plant has to offer.