Steampunk Themes for Young Folks in City of Ember

What was your emotional reaction as you read? Why?

City of Ember is a well crafted tale. I was compelled by the courage and fears of the people of the City of Ember. I saw many parallels between the visceral darkness descending on Ember and the inevitable social/economic collapse of our own global system. The children heroes of Ember are very real in their quirks, angst, and instinctual dreams of a better world.
 

Who would you recommend this reading to and why?
I would recommend this book for fans of fantasy, sci-fi, and steampunk.
 

Consider the setting.
The setting is fantastic: a city, an ember, in a world of darkness, sustained by a generator that is breaking down. The city is cool stone, antique buildings, shabby materials, all slowly deteriorating. The map of the streets is a very nice touch. The greenhouses offer a modicrum of warmth and life in an otherwise firghteningly bereft place.
 

Consider the story/plot.
The plot winds around several mysteries, each leading into another. The final mystery is: what is Ember? Where is Ember? And what else is out there besides Ember? Is there anything. I love plots that focus more on asking questions than answering them. The plot is also pushed along by inevitable small details: Lina's baby sister chews up a vital secret message resulting in the need for Lina and Doon to work together to discover the way out of Ember.
 

Consider character development.
The characters are real children, subject to quirks, angst, grudges, disappointments, and instinctual hope and dreams. The supporting characters are representative of our larger society: everyone is afraid of the dark, dark, end. Some call for action, others go about their business and hope for the best, some take advantage of the challenging times. The mayor is a gruesome caricature of greed. The society presents itself as puritanical and communal, valuing hard labor and organization.
 

Consider themes and motifs.
One theme is the cultural vacuum in which Ember exists. At the end of the book we learn that the founders of Ember intended that all knowledge of the world where the people came from be extinguished with the first, elderly generation of settlers of Ember. So people in Ember use old expressions but don't understand their references. They know nothing of firemaking, or even what fire is. Only electricity exists for them. They have never seen animals, only some insects. They don't know what birds are. What does this imply about the nature of knowledge, time, a single generation's ability to alter the communal wisdom of an entire people? Fascinating.
 

Consider literary elements used, such as metaphors

 

What was the message/purpose of the writing?
City of Ember is the first in a series of books. So far the message that speaks to me is one of awareness, of the importance of history, and acknowledging the power people have to rewrite history to reflect a specific, and often selfish purpose. It is all too easy to eradicate knowledge.
 

Compare and contrast reading with other book types
City of Ember reminds me of Uglies, Pretties, and Specials.
 

Compare and contrast reading to movie adaptations.

 

Describe the illustrations (if applicable).
The map at the beginning is a wonderful touch.
 

Reflect on the author.

 

Nonfiction: Describe the facts and research.

 

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