Module 5/SLIS 5420/July 6-12

THE CITY OF EMBER

by Jeanne DuPrau

Bibliography

DuPrau, Jeanne. The City of Ember. Random House, 2003. ISBN: 0375822739

Summary

The setting is a post-apocalyptic, underground city, Ember, where the protagonist, Lina, finds an ancient message in a mysterious box she believes to be the secret to saving their underground city - and their lives. Lina and her friend, Doon, must piece together what is left of the message to uncover the instructions which were left over 200 years earlier. Time is against them because the lights are about to go out forever. Over the course of the race to save Ember, Lina and Doon discover the ruthlessness and greed of the Mayor of Ember.

The City of Ember is an interesting, thought-provoking story of "what ifs". Imagine a civilization with no knowledge of an outside world, a people without an understanding of what was, and the likelihood that unless changes are realized, the world as one knows it would cease to exist. Lina has had dreams of a city of light and she and Doon use the advantages of their jobs, received on "Assignment Day", to help them investigate and move toward a solution of the "Instructions for Egress", the secret to saving the city and people of Ember.

A Page from My Book

Never having been a fan of science fiction, The City of Ember will forever be the book that turned me on to that genre. This was also my first audio book, began on a lengthy road trip. Not having finished it by the time I reached my destination, I completed it by reading the book. I look forward to recommending it to my students this coming school year and will definitely make sure all the books in the series - The People of Sparks, The Prophet of Yonwood and the soon-to-be-released The Diamond of Darkhold - are ordered! Students will enjoy the suspense Lina and Doon experience as they work tirelessly to save Ember. The twists and turns the story takes will hold interest until the very end - and leave the reader wanting more!

Reviews/Awards

* "The quick pace and the uncomplicated characters and situations will keep voracious fans of the genre engaged". John Peters, School Library Journal, May 2003

* "While Ember is colorless and dark, the book itself is rich with description ... Part mystery, part adventure story, this novel provides science fiction for those who do not like science fiction". Voya

* "The setting is well-realized with the constraints of life in the city intriguingly detailed. The likable protagonists are not only courageous but also believably flawed by human pride, their weaknesses often complementing each other in interesting ways. The cliffhanger ending will leave readers clamoring for the next installment". Kirkus Reviews, May 2003

* "Life in this post-holocaust city is well limned - the frequent blackouts, the food shortage, the public panic, the search for answers, and the actions of the powerful, who are taking selfish advantage of the situation. Readers will relate to Lina and Doon's resourcefulness and courage in the face of ominous odds." Booklist, April 2003

* ALA Notable/Best Books, January 2004

Suggested Activities

Students write predictions as to how the sequel, The People of Sparks, begins.

Hold a debate where students speculate what type of catastrophe may have caused people to create such a city as Ember.

Students are provided paper and necessary supplies to "draft" a plan of an original underground city or their concept of the city from the novel.