Age rating and parents' guide:The City of Ember
by Jeanne DuPrau
Ages 9–14
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau is best for children aged 9–14. It has mild violence, some scary moments, no romance and no bad language.
For generations, the underground city of Ember has been kept running by a giant generator, but now the food supplies are dwindling and the lights are flickering out. Twelve-year-olds Lina and Doon uncover pieces of an ancient message left by the original Builders that might hold the key to their survival. Racing against corrupt officials and impending darkness, they must decipher the clues to find a way out. Children love the fast-paced puzzle-solving mystery and the thrilling sense of exploring a dying world on the brink of collapse.
Content ratings
How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.
- Violence
- Mild
- Scary moments
- Moderate
- Romance
- None
- Bad language
- None
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on .
At a glance
- Novel
- Part of the Book of Ember series
- A steady start that picks up quickly
- Mostly text
- Some emotionally heavy moments
- A good pick for reluctant readers
Reading mood
- Suspenseful
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