THE CITY OF EMBER
Jeanne DuPrau, Author . Random $15.95 (288p) ISBN 978-0-375-82273-5
In her electric debut, DuPrau imagines a post-apocalyptic underground world where resources are running out. The city of Ember, "the only light in the dark world," began as a survival experiment created by the "Builders" who wanted their children to "grow up with no knowledge of a world outside, so that they feel no sorrow for what they have lost." An opening prologue describes the Builders' intentions—that Ember's citizens leave the city after 220 years. They tuck "The Instructions" to a way out within a locked box programmed to open at the right time. But the box has gone astray. The story opens on Assignment Day in the year 241, when 12-year-olds Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow draw lots for their jobs from the mayor's bag. Lina gets "pipeworks laborer," a job that Doon wants, while Doon draws "messenger," the job that Lina covets, and they trade. Through their perspectives, DuPrau reveals the fascinating details of this subterranean community: as Doon repairs leaks deep down among the Pipeworks, he also learns just how dire the situation is with their malfunctioning generator. Meanwhile, the messages Lina carries point to other sorts of subterfuge. Together, the pair become detectives in search of the truth—part of which may be buried in some strange words that were hidden in Lina's grandmother's closet. Thanks to full-blooded characters every bit as compelling as the plot, Lina and Doon's search parallels the universal adolescent quest for answers. Readers will sit on the edge of their seats as each new truth comes to light. Ages 10-13.
Reviewed on: 03/10/2003
Release date: 05/01/2003
Genre: Children's
Downloadable Audio - 1 pages - 9780739345085
Open Ebook - 169 pages - 9780375890802
Compact Disc - 6 pages - 9780739331675
Open Ebook - 288 pages - 9781407049274
Prebound-Glued - 270 pages - 9781417635948
Library Binding - 288 pages - 9780375922749
Paperback - 145 pages - 9780375867934
Paperback - 292 pages - 9780385371353
Paperback - 288 pages - 9780375822742
Library Binding - 144 pages - 9780375968211
Hardcover - 288 pages - 9780375822735
Paperback - 270 pages - 9780385736282
Prebound-Sewn - 270 pages - 9780756933951