Though Jeanne DuPrau’s Books of Ember series has just ended, with the publication of last month’s The Diamond of Darkhold, fans still have something to look forward to: City of Ember, based on the first book in the series, arrives in theaters October 10. “We all hope it will do well,” says Jim Thomas, editorial director at Random House Children’s Books, who has edited all four of DuPrau’s books. “It’s an opportunity for us to celebrate the book, celebrate Jeanne and get some traffic into bookstores. Movies really help—they’re a very expensive advertisement.”
Set in a post-apocalyptic underground metropolis, City of Ember follows two children who try to unlock the city’s secrets, as its electric power begins to fail. Gil Kenan (Monster House) directed the Walden Media film, which stars Saoirse Ronan (Atonement), Bill Murray, Tim Robbins and Martin Landau. Random House is publishing a trade paperback tie-in edition of DuPrau’s novel, which features new cover art and an eight-page color photo insert. Random House promoted the film with a “Win a Trip to the Movie Premiere” contest, and The Diamond of Darkhold, which had a 150,000-copy first printing, carries a sticker on its jacket making note of the film.
Thomas says the house had high hopes for DuPrau’s 2003 debut novel from the beginning. “Right away we recognized that it had what we thought would be successful elements,” he says, citing protagonists of both genders, mysteries, codes and DuPrau’s spectacular subterranean world. “You just can’t beat that underground setting, lit by these great lamps,” he adds.
Bill Murray as Mayor Cole in a scene from City of Ember. Photo © Walden Media and Twentieth Century Fox. |
According to Thomas, DuPrau’s fan base (which he refers to as “die-hard and dyed in the wool”) has grown over the course of the four-book series. “We thought it had potential, but you’re never sure what’s going to happen,” he says. “It was a grassroots kind of phenomenon. Readers responded—librarians, schoolteachers, booksellers. We had whole communities adopting the books.” The City of Ember was named an ALA Notable Book and received more than a dozen state awards and nominations. The Diamond of Darkhold follows The People of Sparks and The Prophet of Yonwood. In all, the series has sold more than two million copies, in print, audio and e-book editions.
Thomas says that DuPrau is ready for a break from Ember, but that they are discussing “a variety of things,” including another idea of hers for a novel, as well as a possible graphic novel adaptation of The City of Ember, or an original graphic novel set in that world.
