24 November 2002 THE CITY OF EMBER by Jeanne DuPrau, Random House, May 2003

THE CITY OF EMBER is a post-apocalyptic page turner in which two twelve year-olds, Lina and Doon, uncover vital clues to escaping the rapidly deteriorating civilization in the dark which they and previous generations have inhabited for more than two hundred years.

Disintegration of the crucial infrastructure, depletion of the finite and over-recycled resources, hints of impending crop failure, and widespread corruption by those in power have together eroded the underpinnings of the City. Every time the municipal generator breaks down, plunging Ember into utter blackness, the inhabitants hold their collective breaths--nobody certain whether those responsible for nursing it along will succeed in getting the generator started once again.

Also, what nobody seems to know--but what WE know from the Prologue--is that The Builders of Ember have left instructions for their descendants to depart The City two hundred years after its inception. Securing those instructions in a time-locked strongbox and entrusting that box to the succession of mayors, The Builders are long departed and the two twelve year-olds are still generations in the future when a dying Mayor unfortunately misplaces that box after unsuccessfully attempting to force it open.

THE CITY OF EMBER is a relatively simple read which is sure to unlock the door to extraordinary discussions relevant to today's headlines regarding power and corruption, fear, and war, as well as moral responsibilities and relationships between siblings, neighbors, friends, and those of individuals as part of a community. But most of all THE CITY OF EMBER is a thrilling and mysterious tale of two great preteens finding their way in the world.

Jeanne DuPrau is at work on the sequel--I'll be waiting to hear more of the story of Lina, Doon, and The City of Ember.

Richie Partington

http://richiespicks.com

BudNotBuddy@aol.com