Synopses & Reviews
A modern-day classic. This highly acclaimed adventure series about two friends desperate to save their doomed city has captivated kids and teachers alike for almost fifteen years and has sold over 3.5 MILLION copies
The city of Ember was built as a last refuge for the human race. Two hundred years later, the great lamps that light the city are beginning to flicker. When Lina finds part of an ancient message, she s sure it holds a secret that will save the city. She and her friend Doon must race to figure out the clues before the lights go out on Ember forever
Nominated to 28 State Award Lists
An American Library Association Notable Children s Book
A New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing Selection
A Kirkus Reviews Editors Choice
A Child Magazine Best Children s Book
A Mark Twain Award Winner
A William Allen White Children s Book Award Winner
A realistic post-apocalyptic world. DuPrau s book leaves Doon and Lina on the verge of undiscovered country and readers wanting more. USA Today
An electric debut. Publishers Weekly, Starred
While Ember is colorless and dark, the book itself is rich with description. VOYA, Starred
A harrowing journey into the unknown, and cryptic messages for readers to decipher. Kirkus Reviews, Starred"
Review
"[T]he quick pace and the uncomplicated characters and situations will keep voracious fans of the genre engaged." School Lirary Journal
Review
"Readers will relate to Lina and Doon's resourcefulness and courage in the face of ominous odds." Booklist
About the Author
Jeanne DuPrau has written several books of nonfiction for children and adults. She is currently working on the sequel at her home in Menlo Park, California, where she keeps a big garden and a small dog.
Reading Group Guide
FOR DISCUSSION
1. Doon and Lina like very different things. Doon wants to work in the Pipeworks; Lina yearns to be a messenger. Doon likes to study how things work. Lina likes to run and explore. But their friendship grows because they are ultimately searching for the same thing. How do they complement one another and help one another develop through the novel?
2. Earth today has many environmental and social issues. What sort of problems could have led to the building of the City of Ember?
3. Clary tells Lina, “Everyone has some darkness inside.” (p. 168) Light and color both play very key roles in the novel. In what ways, other than the failing street lamps, are color and light important?
4. The possibility of never-ending darkness changes many of Lina’s friends and many of the townspeople. She discovers that her friend Lizzie has begun to accept things from Looper, who is stealing things from the storerooms. Why does Lina turn down the gifts that Lizzie offers her? Do you think that she was right to do so?
5. The city of Ember was built when people were worried that the human race might not survive. Do you think this was a good plan?
6. The mayor is the most corrupt character in the novel. He squelches the thirst for knowledge and limits freedom, yet the majority of the townspeople just accept his behavior. Why do you think they act this way? What other actions might they have taken?
7. People react in various ways when they feel threatened. How do the people of Ember react to danger? Have you seen people reacting to danger in these ways? How are Poppy’s actions important to the plot?
8. At the end of the novel, Lina, Doon, and Poppy have discovered a sunlit earth. What do you think will become of them in the sequel? Do you think that there are other people on the surface?
1. Doon and Lina like very different things. Doon wants to work in the Pipeworks; Lina yearns to be a messenger. Doon likes to study how things work. Lina likes to run and explore. But their friendship grows because they are ultimately searching for the same thing. How do they complement one another and help one another develop through the novel?
2. Earth today has many environmental and social issues. What sort of problems could have led to the building of the City of Ember?
3. Clary tells Lina, “Everyone has some darkness inside.” (p. 168) Light and color both play very key roles in the novel. In what ways, other than the failing street lamps, are color and light important?
4. The possibility of never-ending darkness changes many of Linas friends and many of the townspeople. She discovers that her friend Lizzie has begun to accept things from Looper, who is stealing things from the storerooms. Why does Lina turn down the gifts that Lizzie offers her? Do you think that she was right to do so?
5. The city of Ember was built when people were worried that the human race might not survive. Do you think this was a good plan?
6. The mayor is the most corrupt character in the novel. He squelches the thirst for knowledge and limits freedom, yet the majority of the townspeople just accept his behavior. Why do you think they act this way? What other actions might they have taken?
7. People react in various ways when they feel threatened. How do the people of Ember react to danger? Have you seen people reacting to danger in these ways? How are Poppys actions important to the plot?
8. At the end of the novel, Lina, Doon, and Poppy have discovered a sunlit earth. What do you think will become of them in the sequel? Do you think that there are other people on the surface?