The City of Ember

Thanks, Megan Crabb, for reminding us that this book is part of a series.
DuPrau. J. (2003). The city of Ember. New York, N.Y.: Random House Publishers.
http://vocaroo.com/i/s0kQOkZmhBMQ

Have you ever wondered what would happen if the lights went out on your city, and never came back on? For 12 year old, Lina Mayfleet, this fear is real. In the city of Ember, the only light is provided by old flood lamps that come on when it is time to work and go off when it is time to sleep. Lately, though, the lights have been flickering a lot and total darkness during the middle of the day is no longer uncommon.

On Assignment Day, Lina is stuck with one of the worst jobs in Ember: pipeworker. To her surprise, an old friend comes to her rescue. Doon Harrow and Lina used to be best friends. When Doon offers to trade jobs with Lina, that friendship begins to rekindle itself. As Lina begins her dream job as messenger, she realizes that something is amiss in Ember. She stumbles upon a secret that has been kept for over 200 years; something the builders didn’t want to share. With the food stockpile running low and the city’s generator on its last leg, Lina and Doon decide they need to do something to save their city. 

The City of Ember is the first in a series of books about the world after a meltdown and the secret meant to save humanity. If you liked The Giver, Under the Empyrean Sky, or The Maze Runner, you’ll love The City of Ember.