Science and The City of Ember
Are you afraid of the dark? Do you feel a jolt of panic when the lights go out during a thunderstorm? Do you welcome that rush of relief when the power comes back on?
Imagine a world where the lights never come back on.
That is the horror facing the residents of a small, underground town in Jeanne DuPrau's The City of Ember. In the first of the four Books of Ember series, the townspeople are fighting a losing battle to keep the lights on. They have lived underground, with no knowledge of the outside world, for over 200 years — much longer than the Builders of the town had expected. They have nearly exhausted their supplies of food and power, and are running out of time to find a way out of Ember before the lights go out for good!
The City of Ember tells the story of life underground for two teenage friends, Lina and Doon, who struggle to find an escape before they and the townspeople are trapped in darkness forever. Their concern for their city takes them on a great adventure, as they discover and decode clues left behind by the Builders, leading them on a quest for an exit from Ember.
Discover for yourself how life is powered daily through the magic of electricity, hydropower and scientific innovations. This pathfinder provides different types of resources, from web sites to electronic databases and interactive multimedia, all of which will help you explore the themes and concepts in The City of Ember.
About this pathfinder
I created this pathfinder to provide guidance for young readers of The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau. Because the book addresses the topics of electricity and energy conservation, it makes sense to explore electronic resources related to these scientific concepts. I researched web sites that explain and illustrate electricity through instructive images and animations, along with interactive games that encourage a "green" lifestyle to help engage a younger audience. I chose materials that are easy to understand, but more importantly I sought out resources that make learning science fun! — Jolene M. Kernick