City of Ember

Enter the future and welcome to Ember, a city build 237 years ago, or so by scientists, engineers, and others before the apocalypse.  After 7 generation of rulers (mayors) a note from the treasure box is to be opened, but the mayor dies before he can tell the next one.  Years go on, and yet the box stays closed.  Welcome to Jeanne DuPrau’s City of Ember an enclosed city that is beginning to run out of food, light, and connection to things outside of itself (words that haven’t been spoken, are no longer understood).  Lucky for Ember, Lina Mayfleet finds the message from the box, when her baby sister is eating it!   (Her grandmother, whom she lives with after her parents die, had the box, no idea why?)  Lina has just finished eighth grade, a time when all students join the work force on their graduation day, by choosing a career out of a hat, during the ceremony with the mayor. Lina chooses pipeworker, and her classmate Doon Harrow chooses messenger.  Both very upset by the pick, decide to switch, which leads to a connection later on.  So, what did I think… good concept, but like all of these young adult books… it’s a series!  Dang!  What happened to “one and done” oh well.  The story draws the reader in quickly, the good young girl alone in the world after grandmother dies with her baby sister to take on the world, and she does.  And of course the budding friendship (hmmm... relationship?) with her friend Doon.  They finally learn the meaning of the half eaten message and find there is an escape route from Ember.  The escape scene is well written, and of course goes as planned, except the book ends just as it gets you to the next place… so, incomplete as a read.  How many more of these out there?  It’s a quick read, and has the flair of Hunger Games.  If I had more time, maybe I would venture to book two, but feeling there probably is a book three and four as well.  Have a young niece/nephew?  A good summer read.