City of Ember

Many hundreds of years ago, the city of Ember was created by the Builders to contain everything needed for human survival. It worked - but now the storerooms are almost out of food, crops are blighted, corruption is spreading through the city and worst of all - the lights are failing. Soon Ember could be engulfed by darkness-But when two children, Lina and Doon, discover fragments of an ancient parchment, they begin to wonder if there could be a way out of Ember. Can they decipher the words from long ago and find a new future for everyone? Will the people of Ember listen to them?

A good story for those who like a down-to-earth element in their underground fantasies * Carousel * A gripping read with a powerful sense of place and which leaves the reader eagerly anticipating the sequel * The School Librarian * A fast-paced sci-fi thriller with an exciting and well-constructed plot * Inis * DuPrau . . . is a most engaging writer: direct, succinct, delivering lively characters and genuine suspense, sustaining the mystery but generous with her clues * TES * A superb read * Teen Titles *.

Reviews

THE CITY OF EMBER is the debut novel from an exciting new American writer, Jeanne DuPrau. Having been a teacher, an editor and a technical writer, Jeanne DuPrau now writes full-time. She lives in California.