Skip to Main Content (Press Enter) Toggle side nav

The City of Ember

The First Book of Ember

The First Book of Ember

By Jeanne DuPrau

By Jeanne DuPrau

By Jeanne DuPrau

By Jeanne DuPrau

By Jeanne DuPrau

By Jeanne DuPrau

By Jeanne DuPrau
Read by Wendy Dillon

By Jeanne DuPrau
Read by Wendy Dillon

Best Seller

Part of The City of Ember

Part of The City of Ember

Part of The City of Ember

Part of The City of Ember

Paperback $8.99

May 25, 2004 | ISBN 9780375822742 | Middle Grade (8-12)

Hardcover $16.99

May 13, 2003 | ISBN 9780375822735 | Middle Grade (8-12)

Ebook $8.99

May 13, 2003 | ISBN 9780375890802 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

Audiobook Download $15.00

May 25, 2004 | 411 Minutes | Middle Grade (10 and up)

All Formats
+
    The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
    Paperback $8.99
    May 25, 2004 | ISBN 9780375822742

    Buy from Other Retailers:

    See All Formats (3) +

    Paperback
    –

    • Paperback $8.99

      May 25, 2004 | ISBN 9780375822742 | Middle Grade (8-12)

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    Hardcover
    +

    • Hardcover $16.99

      May 13, 2003 | ISBN 9780375822735 | Middle Grade (8-12)

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    Ebook
    +

    • Ebook

      May 13, 2003 | ISBN 9780375890802 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    Audio
    +

    • Audiobook Download

      May 25, 2004 | ISBN 9780807220771 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

      411 Minutes

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    Buy the Audiobook Download:

    About The City of Ember

    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

    About The City of Ember

    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

    About The City of Ember

    A modern-day classic. This highly acclaimed adventure series about two friends desperate to save their doomed city has captivated kids and teachers alike for almost fifteen years and has sold over 3.5 MILLION copies!
     
    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 flicker. When Lina finds part of an ancient message, she’s sure it holds a secret that will save the city. She and her friend Doon must race to figure out the clues before the lights go out on Ember 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

    About The City of Ember

    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

    Read An Excerpt

    Reading Guide | Teacher’s Guide

    Read An Excerpt

    Reading Guide | Teacher’s Guide

    Read An Excerpt

    Reading Guide | Teacher’s Guide

    Read An Excerpt

    Reading Guide | Teacher’s Guide

    Also by Jeanne DuPrau

    Voyagers: Escape the Vortex (Book 5)
    The City of Ember Deluxe Edition
    The City of Ember
    The Diamond of Darkhold
    The Prophet of Yonwood
    See all books by Jeanne DuPrau

    Also by Jeanne DuPrau

    Voyagers: Escape the Vortex (Book 5)
    The City of Ember Deluxe Edition
    The City of Ember
    The Diamond of Darkhold
    The Prophet of Yonwood
    See all books by Jeanne DuPrau

    Also by Jeanne DuPrau

    Voyagers: Escape the Vortex (Book 5)
    The City of Ember Deluxe Edition
    The City of Ember
    The Diamond of Darkhold
    The Prophet of Yonwood
    See all books by Jeanne DuPrau

    Also by Jeanne DuPrau

    Voyagers: Escape the Vortex (Book 5)
    The City of Ember Deluxe Edition
    The City of Ember
    The Diamond of Darkhold
    The Prophet of Yonwood
    See all books by Jeanne DuPrau

    About Jeanne DuPrau

    "What could be more interesting than thinking of mysterious happenings, finding the answers to intriguing questions, and making up new worlds?"–Jeanne DuPrauJeanne DuPrau has been a teacher, an editor, and a technical writer. The People of Sparks is her second… More about Jeanne DuPrau

    About Jeanne DuPrau

    "What could be more interesting than thinking of mysterious happenings, finding the answers to intriguing questions, and making up new worlds?"–Jeanne DuPrauJeanne DuPrau has been a teacher, an editor, and a technical writer. The People of Sparks is her second… More about Jeanne DuPrau

    About Jeanne DuPrau

    "What could be more interesting than thinking of mysterious happenings, finding the answers to intriguing questions, and making up new worlds?"–Jeanne DuPrauJeanne DuPrau has been a teacher, an editor, and a technical writer. The People of Sparks is her second… More about Jeanne DuPrau

    About Jeanne DuPrau

    "What could be more interesting than thinking of mysterious happenings, finding the answers to intriguing questions, and making up new worlds?"–Jeanne DuPrauJeanne DuPrau has been a teacher, an editor, and a technical writer. The People of Sparks is her second… More about Jeanne DuPrau

    Product Details

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Paperback | $8.99
    Published by Yearling
    May 25, 2004 | 288 Pages | 5-3/16 x 7-5/8 | Middle Grade (8-12) | ISBN 9780375822742

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Hardcover | $16.99
    Published by Random House Books for Young Readers
    May 13, 2003 | 288 Pages | 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 | Middle Grade (8-12) | ISBN 9780375822735

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Ebook | $8.99
    Published by Random House Books for Young Readers
    May 13, 2003 | 288 Pages | Middle Grade (10 and up) | ISBN 9780375890802

    Category: Audiobooks | Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Audiobook Download | $15.00
    Published by Listening Library
    May 25, 2004 | 411 Minutes | Middle Grade (10 and up) | ISBN 9780807220771

    Praise

    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.”

    Starred Review, Voice of Youth Advocates
    “While Ember is colorless and dark, the book itself is rich with description. DuPrau uses the puzzle, suspenseful action, and lots of evil characters to entice readers into the story. They will find the teen characters believable and gutsy. Part mystery, part adventure story.”

    The Horn Book Magazine
    “The device of a hidden letter, complete with missing words, is used with such disarming forthrightness that readers will be eagerly deciphering it right alongside Doon and Lina.”

    An ALA Notable Children’s Book

    A Kirkus Reviews Editors’ Choice

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

    Awards

    ALA Notable Children’s Book WINNER 2006

    Arkansas Charlie May Simon Award WINNER 2005

    California Young Reader Medal WINNER 2006

    Colorado Children’s Book Master List WINNER 2005

    Connecticut Nutmeg Children’s Book Award WINNER

    Connecticut Nutmeg Children’s Book Master List WINNER 2006

    Florida Sunshine State Book Award WINNER 2004

    Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Master List WINNER 2006

    Iowa Teen Book Award WINNER 2005

    Kansas William White Award WINNER 2006

    Kentucky Bluegrass Master List WINNER 2006

    New Hampshire Great Stone Face Children’s Book Award WINNER 2006

    New Jersey Garden State Children’s Book Award WINNER 2006

    Texas Lone Star Reading List WINNER 2006

    West Virginia Children’s Book Master List WINNER 2005

    Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award NOMINEE 2005

    Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Award NOMINEE 2006

    Looking for More Great Reads?
    21 Books You’ve Been Meaning to Read
    Get the latest updates from Jeanne DuPrau
    And go from well-read to best read with book recs, deals and more in your inbox every week.
    And go from well-read to best read with book recs, deals and more in your inbox every week.
    By clicking SIGN UP, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random House’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
    Dismiss
    Thanks!
    Something awesome is on its way.
    Back to Top

    Visit other sites in the Penguin Random House Network

    Raise kids who love to read

    Brightly

    Raise kids who love to read
    Today's Top Books

    Today's Top Books

    Want to know what people are actually reading right now?
    An online magazine for today’s home cook

    TASTE

    An online magazine for today’s home cook