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The People of Sparks

(2004, Fiction - Science Fiction, Written by Jeanne DuPrau)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    A simple, clear look at the slippery slope to war.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The heroes behave nobly: others behave very badly, deliberately inciting violence with lies.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    A small riot, a mob confrontation, some fighting, firing of an ancient weapon that injures the user and ignites a fire.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The People of Sparks

Parents need to know that this story lays out, in microcosm and in simple, easily understood steps, the path to war. Though the solution is a bit too convenient, this should provoke serious thought and lively debate.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about war. How has war affected Sparks and Ember? How are greed and corruption leading to new conflict?

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Our Members Say

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See all 24 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Morally great too.

    I think it had a very good message for everyone and we should all read it and know that we should be like Lina and Doon.

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 1.0

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 2.0

    Sequel to City of Ember

    I found this book rather boring. It's way too easy to guess what's going to happen, the plot moves too slowly, and the dialogue sounds fake. It takes alot of talent to make dialogue sound real, and the author does not have that talent, apparently.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0

    The awesome

    ......???

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    luv it!

    this book is so amazing....we read the city of ember in class and a read the second one at home it was awesome!!!!! i would recomend this to anyone!!!!

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