The City of Ember

Ember is the only light in a dark world. But when its lamps begin to flicker, two friends must race to escape the dark. This highly acclaimed adventure series is a modern-day classic--with over 4 MILLION copies sold

The city of Ember was built as a last refuge for the human race. Two hundred years later, the great lamps that light the city are beginning to dim. When Lina finds part of an ancient message, she's sure it holds a secret that will save the city. Now, she and her friend Doon must race to figure out the clues to keep the lights on. If they succeed, they will have to convince everyone to follow them into danger. But if they fail? The lights will burn out and the darkness will close in forever.

Nominated to 28 State Award Lists
An American Library Association Notable Children's Book
A New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing Selection
A Kirkus Reviews Editors' Choice
A Child Magazine Best Children's Book
A Mark Twain Award Winner
A William Allen White Children's Book Award Winner

"A realistic post-apocalyptic world. DuPrau's book leaves Doon and Lina on the verge of undiscovered country and readers wanting more." --USA Today

"An electric debut." --Publishers Weekly, Starred

"While Ember is colorless and dark, the book itself is rich with description." --VOYA, Starred

"A harrowing journey into the unknown, and cryptic messages for readers to decipher." --Kirkus Reviews, Starred

Author: Jeanne DuPrau
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Published: 05/13/2003
Pages: 288
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.80w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9780375822735
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5
Point Value: 9
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 69274 / City of Ember


Award: Sunshine State Young Reader's Award - Winner
Award: Garden State Teen Book Award - Winner
Award: Texas Lone Star Reading List - Commended
Award: Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award - Nominee
Award: Iowa Teen Award - Nominee
Award: Iowa Children's Choice (ICCA) Award - Nominee
Award: Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award - Nominee
Award: Young Hoosier Book Award - Nominee
Award: Young Hoosier Book Award - Winner
Award: Nutmeg Book Award - Winner
Award: Golden Sower Award - Honor Book
Award: Grand Canyon Reader Award - Nominee
Award: Volunteer State Book Awards - Nominee
Award: Volunteer State Book Awards - Nominee
Award: Colorado Blue Spruce Award - Nominee
Award: Colorado Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Buckeye Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Black-Eyed Susan Award - Winner
Award: Rhode Island Teen Book Award - Nominee
Award: Young Reader's Choice Award - Nominee
Award: Sasquatch Award - Winner
Award: Great Stone Face Book Award - Nominee
Award: Land of Enchantment Book Award - Winner
Award: West Virginia Children's Book Award - Honor Book
Award: Sequoyah Book Awards - Nominee
Award: Beehive Awards - Winner
Award: Flicker Tale Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award - Honor Book
Award: South Carolina Childrens, Junior and Young Adult Book Award - Nominee
Award: Colorado Blue Spruce Award - Nominee
Award: Nevada Young Readers' Award - Winner
Award: Georgia Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Nene Award - Recommended
Award: Nene Award - Recommended


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 03/10/2003 pg. 72
Booklist 04/15/2003 pg. 1466
Horn Book Magazine 05/01/2003 pg. 343
Kirkus Review - Children 05/15/2003 pg. 749
School Library Journal 05/01/2003 pg. 150
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 09/01/2003 pg. 11
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2003 pg. 366 - Superior,Well Above Average
Kirkus Review - Children 12/01/2003 pg. 1402
ALA Notable Children's Books 03/15/2004 pg. 1286
School Library Journal 10/01/2004 pg. 53
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2003 pg. 366 - Superior,Well Above Average
Newsweek 07/21/2008 pg. 58

About the Author
JEANNE DuPRAU is the New York Times bestselling author of the City of Ember books, which have been translated into multiple languages and are an award-winning staple in elementary school classrooms. She's also the author of Escape the Vortex, a title in the multiplatform sci-fi adventure series Voyagers. Jeanne lives in Menlo Park, California. Visit her website at jeanneduprau.com.