A cleaver first novel by the author with simple characters and interactions. Lira & Doon are youngsters just starting in Ember, their city in a cavern beneath the ground. Lira finds an ancient document she suspects to have instructions for everyone's future. Doon suspects that future to be grim without some changes to the way things are run. Together, the explore both their mysterious natural environment and the vageries of their political one. Greed, fear, ignorance, all things sacrificed for safety and familiarity--these are all themes explored in the tale. Some of the premices of the story are a little far-fetched (the box with the document in it ending up in a closet would be about as likely as the same thing happening to the Declaration of Independence), but it still makes for an interesting story for young readers in the 10 to 15-year-old range. Made into a movie in 2008 with Bill Murray & Tim Robbins.
Merit: Interesting storyline. Simple vocabulary for young readers.
Share: Post-apocalyptic materials. Materials notebook.
Appeal: 10 to 15-year-old readers with a penchant for adventure stories.
No comments:
Post a Comment