For generations, the people of Ember have lived in a well-equipped underground city. The Builders planned for the citizens to live in Ember for 200 years and the storerooms are empty, the crops are failing, and the lights are flickering.
At graduation, the twelve-year-olds are assigned their new jobs. Lina has always dreamed of being a messenger, but she's assigned to the Pipeworks. Doon, who doesn't have a real preference, offers to trade with Lina and the two strike up an unexpected friendship.
Lina learns the city is worried that the lights will fail to flick back on though they aren't sure why they're even turning off. Doon discovers the generator which powers all of Ember is failing. When Lina's grandmother presents her with an ancient parchment with strange writing on it, the two teens work together to discover what it could mean for their dying city.
When the friends discover the mayor and his corrupt clerk hoarding supplies the mayor attempts to turn the city against the children. Lina and Doon decide to prove their integrity and their theory of the parchment and try to escape as Ember dies. The only problem is they don't know what they'll be escaping to or if they'll even survive the attempt.
An adventure for younger teens, The City of Ember follows Lina and Doon's unexpected friendship through the end of the only world they've ever known into the hope of a better future. DuPrau's novel is aimed at middle readers and has been adapted into a movie. Readers who enjoyed the 'Hidden Children' series will find The City of Ember a compelling read.
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