The City of Ember: The First Book of Ember

Jeanne DuPrau

May 2004 · The City of Ember Book 1 · Penguin Random House Audio · Narrated by Wendy Dillon

About this audiobook

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

Ratings and reviews

acabamos de leer este libro en la escuela y me encanto .... es mi libro favorito :) y me llamo la atencion es muy interesante y mi parte favorita es cuando salen de la cueba y por primera vez ven la luna y las estrellas y la parte que no me gusto fue cuando el alcalde regaño a Lina y la que mas me dio ternura fue Poppy y el el libro decia que tenian como 12 o 11 Lina y Doon pero en la pelicula Doon se veia como de 18 y Lina de 14 y Poppy de 5 y en el libro no se parecia que estaban en una cueba abia mucho espasio pero en la pelicula si se veia que estaban en una cueba por que el cielo era muy bajo y las lamparas que estaban en el cielo supuestamente no eran asi en el libro y el caracol que encontaron en el tunel que estaba en el libro era pequeño pero en la pelicula era muy jigante y los aminales eran muy pqueños . Lo que ay en el libron es muy diferente lo que vi en la pelicula y el algalde es mas malvado en la pelicula que en el libro

I've always loved this book never gotten to the whole series till now an I just love it! the movie does no justice 😣 maybe if we all ask them to re due it they might but these books are amazing. and it got me to wonder if our own government has anything like this planned to save the human race 🤷 I mean who knows 😂 😜 but the thought of it all just amazes me!

What a great story ! Enjoyed it very much, the writing was good & then reader was wonderful! Can’t wait to hear the 2nd book City of Sparks !

About the author

Jeanne DuPrau has written several books of nonfiction for children and adults. She has been a teacher, an editor, and a technical writer. The City of Ember is her first novel for middle graders. She is currently working on the sequel at her home in Menlo Park, California, where she keeps a big garden and a small dog.