Book of Ember #1 : The City of Ember

Book of Ember #1 – The City of Ember

Literary awards : California Book Award for Young Adult (Silver) (2003), Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award for Grade 6-9 (2006), Rhode Island Teen Book Award Nominee (2005), Vermont Golden Dome Book Award Nominee (2005), Child Magazine Best Book of the Year, Sunshine State Young Readers Award for Grades 3-5 and Grades 6-8 (2004), Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award Nominee (2006), New Mexico Land of Enchantment Award for Young Adult (2007), Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature Nominee (2004), Chapman Award for Shared Reading Nominee for Fiction (2004), William Allen White Children's Book Award (2006), Washington State Sasquatch Award (2006), Bluestem Book Award Nominee (2019), Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award Nominee (2006)

Many hundreds of years ago, the city of Ember was created by the Builders to contain everything humanity needed to survive underground. For generations, it worked perfectly. But now the food supplies are running low, crops are failing, corruption is spreading—and worst of all, the lights are beginning to flicker. Darkness threatens the only world the people of Ember have ever known.

When two ordinary children, Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow, discover fragments of an ancient parchment, they begin to suspect that Ember was never meant to last forever. The mysterious message hints at a possible escape, a way forward to a new future. But can they piece together the clues before the city collapses into darkness? And even if they do, will the adults of Ember listen?

The City of Ember is a gripping dystopian adventure filled with mystery, courage, and hope. Jeanne DuPrau weaves a powerful story about curiosity, responsibility, and the bravery it takes to question the world you’re born into. Perfect for readers aged 9+, this modern classic invites young readers to imagine what lies beyond the darkness—and the courage it takes to seek the light.

Keywords: The City of Ember book, Book of Ember series, Jeanne DuPrau novels, dystopian books for kids, middle grade adventure fiction, post apocalyptic kids books, mystery novels for children, classic children’s fiction