It is Assignment Day. Twelve-year-old Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow are ready to draw their work assignments for the next two years. Lina wants to be a messenger and have the freedom to run around the city. Doon wants to be assigned as a pipe worker, far below the city where an underground river powers a generator that provides electricity to the city. They each eventually get the job they want. Lina discovers the message left by The Builders of Ember, but the paper is full of holes and parts of the message are missing. Doon discovers a hidden, secret door underneath the city. Can the two decipher the message from The Builders and find a way out to save Ember before the lights go out forever?
Jeanne DuPrau - Author Website
City of Ember - Movie Trailer
Reading level: 5.1
Other books in the series: The People of Sparks, The Prophet of Yonwood, The Diamond of Darkhold