The City of Ember cover art

The City of Ember

The First Book of Ember

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The City of Ember

By: Jeanne DuPrau
Narrated by: Wendy Dillon
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About this listen

ALA Notable Children's Book

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

Don't miss Lina and Doon's other adventures in The City of Ember.©2003 Jeanne DuPrau (P)2004 Random House, Inc. Listening Library, an imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group
Fiction Growing Up Growing Up & Facts of Life Science Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy City

Critic Reviews

A Kirkus Reviews Editors’ Choice

A New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing Selection

USA Today "DuPrau’s first foray into fiction creates a realistic post-apocalyptic world. Reminiscent of Robert O'Brien's Z for Zachariah, DuPrau’s book leaves Doon and Lina on the verge of the undiscovered country and readers wanting more."

Starred Review, Publishers Weekly"Thanks to full-blooded characters every bit as compelling as the plot, Lina and Doon’s search parallels the universal adolescent quest for answers. An electric debut!"

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews "Well-paced, this contains a satisfying mystery, a breathtaking escape over rooftops in darkness, a harrowing journey into the unknown, and cryptic messages for readers to decipher. The likeable protagonists are not only courageous but also believably flawed by human pride. The cliffhanger ending will leave readers clamoring for the next installment."

What listeners say about The City of Ember

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The book

It was good the book was great recommend you should definitely listen to in your spair time

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For a fan of movie I became a fan of the book.

Was a great listen. Some of the theatrical elements of adding sounds to enhance wasn't balanced so it took away from the narrations but overall was fantastic and a good book.

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a great story

I loved the pace, the exciting plot. the final scenes are beautifully told, very moving. lots to think about!

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good book

I did enjoy it. I suppose due to the fact it's rather old it's free of all the new cliches and tropes in modern YA post apocalyptic novels. This made it a refreshing listen. I wanted to know what happened next, and I got to find out, very satisfying. It tied up all its loose ends while still setting up nicely for the second book.

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Very good

I like,
How they are under ground it also showed how to old frainds became fraids again

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