 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The City of Ember
- By Jeanne DuPrau
- Genre: Science Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Part fantasy, part mystery, part treasure hunt.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this engrossing sci-fi fantasy features appealing main characters and an intriguing mystery.
What's the story?
Ember is a city in eternal darkness, only kept light by its increasingly unreliable electric system. Other systems are falling apart as well, and stockpiles of food and essentials that have lasted hundreds of years are running out. The city was only meant to last 220 years, and now it has been 241. But the instructions the Builders left have been lost and forgotten.
Lina finds them, but not before her baby sister has chewed them into virtual indecipherability. Now she and her friend Doon must figure them out from the few disjointed letters left, before the city falls apart. Their efforts lead them to discover long forgotten secrets about the nature and purpose of Ember, and what the Builders intended. They want to share their discoveries with the rest of the citizens -- but only if the corrupt mayor and his guards don't stop them first.
Is it any good?
Part dystopian fantasy, part mystery, part code-breaking treasure hunt, this is an intriguing story. Deciphering the clues from the damaged Instructions will keep readers guessing, despite some predictable plot twists in the center section, and they will be rooting for the appealing main characters.
While lacking the complexity or moral ambiguity of The Giver, THE CITY OF EMBER has its own unique features: It is a city designed not to be a utopia, but rather to hold the remnants of humanity safe and isolated for a fixed period, then release them. The problem comes when the release doesn't happen, no one knows that it should have, and the city is past its expiration date. A fascinating scenario --and one fraught with possibilities for the sequel.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about society.
Is it possible to set up an ordered society and, if so, how?
Other
topics raised here include political corruption and what an individual
owes to his society.
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AGE
Great! Mystery/Sci-fi
Ohmigawd this book is so good it's kind of for litteler kids but it's good though parts are sad since the place is poor and foods like pinapples aren't around anymore. VERY VERY GOOD! Must Read great if you like mystery not to sci-fi :)
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AGE
better for grade 5-7
i'm 13, and had to read it for school, not age appropriate for my age group, better for 8-11 year olds
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AGE
Perfect for any age from 10-13 year olds
I loved it!!!!!!
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AGE
I love this book! and so does my 10 year old we have been reading this since the first grade and we are now on book 4! Which is the best one of all of them! We just do a couple chapters a night, she reads one and then I read one to her so its been a wonderful experience for us both and we will remember Lina and Doon and all they went through forever...Truley a great read!!! I only wish they would make movies out of all the movies...Thaks Jeannea Duprau
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AGE
for anyone
I just got done reading it and it is one of the best books i have ever read, which is good because i have read a lot of books in 13 years.
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AGE
i luv the movie and book
i luved it i thought it was a good thing for kids to like and to play on and to read and watch dha movie
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AGE
great and interesting for any reader
i am 13, i read this book when i was in 4th grade. My 3rd grade teacher actually read this book to our class. i really think that this is a good book, it is so unpredictable and addicting! i love this book. it is a very interesting book and a very good read.
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| Author: | Jeanne DuPrau |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Publisher: | Random House |
| Publication date: | March 31, 2004 |
| Number of pages: | 270 |
| Hardcover price: | $15.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 10 - 13 |
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