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The City of Ember

by Jeanne DuPrau

A city running out of light

Regular price $16.47 USD
Regular price $27.45 USD Sale price $16.47 USD
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Awards & Recognition

  • Award recognition

    Mark Twain Award Winner

    Reported as a Mark Twain Award winner.

  • Editorial selection

    A New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing Selection

    Selected for the 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing list.

  • Critical praise

    Starred review from VOYA

    VOYA gave the book a starred review and praised its descriptive richness.

AlbakiReads Editorial

A city running out of light

Ember was built as a refuge for humanity, but two centuries later its lamps are failing and the city’s survival is uncertain. When Lina discovers part of an old message, she and her friend Doon try to interpret its clues and persuade others to follow them beyond the familiar city. The premise brings together a failing community, a puzzle embedded in the past, and the question of what people will risk when their world can no longer sustain them. The description frames the book as an adventure in a post-apocalyptic setting, with Lina and Doon’s search tied directly to Ember’s dwindling light.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • For readers ages 9–12 interested in fantasy adventures.
  • For readers who enjoy stories involving coded messages, shared problem-solving, and threatened communities.
  • For readers curious about post-apocalyptic settings and journeys into the unknown.

Themes

Community and survivalFriendship and cooperationDeciphering the pastRisk and escape

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

NATIONAL BESTSELLER - Ember is the only light in a dark world. But when its lamps begin to flicker, two friends must race to escape the dark. This highly acclaimed adventure series is a modern-day classic--with over 4 MILLION copies sold!

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 dim. When Lina finds part of an ancient message, she's sure it holds a secret that will save the city. Now, she and her friend Doon must race to figure out the clues to keep the lights on. If they succeed, they will have to convince everyone to follow them into danger. But if they fail? The lights will burn out and the darkness will close in 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
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