Reddit reviews The City of Ember (The City of Ember Book 1)

Boy, getting a list was difficult because she kept telling me the books she most recently read. Here are some non-magical options...

The City of Ember (Ember series) -- the story is told from the perspectives of two main characters -- a boy and girl -- with the perspective swapping in each chapter. (It's not a love story.)

>It is always night in the city of Ember. But there is no moon, no stars. The only light during the regular twelve hours of "day" comes from flood lamps that cast a yellowish glow over the streets of the city. Beyond are the pitch-black Unknown Regions, which no one has ever explored because an understanding of fire and electricity has been lost, and with it the idea of a Moveable Light. "Besides," they tell each other, "there is nowhere but here."

>Among the many other things the people of Ember have forgotten is their past and a direction for their future. For 250 years they have lived pleasantly, because there has been plenty of everything in the vast storerooms. But now there are more and more empty shelves--and more and more times when the lights flicker and go out, leaving them in terrifying blackness for long minutes. What will happen when the generator finally fails?

>Twelve-year-old Doon Harrow and Lina Mayfleet seem to be the only people who are worried. They have just been assigned their life jobs--Lina as a messenger, which leads her to knowledge of some unsettling secrets, and Doon as a Pipeworker, repairing the plumbing in the tunnels under the city where a river roars through the darkness. But when Lina finds a very old paper with enigmatic "Instructions for Egress," they use the advantages of their jobs to begin to puzzle out the frightening and dangerous way to the city of light of which Lina has dreamed. As they set out on their mission, the haunting setting and breathless action of this stunning first novel will have teens clamoring for a sequel. (Ages 10 to 14)

The Shadow Children Series --in a society where families are limited to 2 children each, the shadow children are third children. My daughter's class went nuts for this when their teacher read the first two books in class.

>Born third at a time when having more than two children per family is illegal and subject to seizure and punishment by the Population Police, Luke has spent all of his 12 years in hiding. His parents disobeyed once by having him and are determined not to do anything unlawful again. At first the woods around his family's farm are thick enough to conceal him when he plays and works outdoors, but when the government develops some of that land for housing, his world narrows to just the attic.

>Gazing through an air vent at new homes, he spies a child's face at a window after the family of four has already left for the day. Is it possible that he is not the only hidden child? Answering this question brings Luke greater danger than he has ever faced before, but also greater possibilities for some kind of life outside of the attic. This is a near future of shortages and deprivation where widespread famines have led to a totalitarian government that controls all aspects of its citizens' lives. When the boy secretly ventures outside the attic and meets the girl in the neighboring house, he learns that expressing divergent opinions openly can lead to tragedy. To what extent is he willing to defy the government in order to have a life worth living? The loss of free will is the fundamental theme of an exciting and compelling story of one young person defying authority and the odds to make a difference.

Any book by Andrew Clements -- Ya, any book. My daughter cited Lunch Money, The School Story, No Talking, etc. Of all of the books recommended here, Clements is probably the most accessible (lowest reading level, if that's a concern).

The Mysterious Benedict Society series

>"Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?"

>When this peculiar ad appears in the newspaper, dozens of children enroll to take a series of mysterious, mind-bending tests. (And you, dear reader, can test your wits right alongside them.) But in the end just four very special children will succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules.

>As our heroes face physical and mental trials beyond their wildest imaginations, they have no choice but to turn to each other for support. But with their new found friendship at stake, will they be able to pass the most important test of all?

Hi! First off, I LOVE your idea!!

I'm a new DM, so don't really have many experiences to share here in terms of feedback, but your story sounds similar to a book called "The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau (http://www.amazon.com/The-City-Ember-First-Book/dp/0375822747) and I thought I would mention it as it may have some good ideas / themes in to help you. They also made a film (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970411/?ref_=nv_sr_1) if you prefer that.

Best of luck with it and let us know how it goes!!

This

Some of my favorites when I was around 10 or so:

city of ember

Anthem

Guardians of Gahoole

Count of monte cristo This is the ebook which is free but perhaps an abridged version would be better. Also many of these classics are a bit brutal so perhaps when she gets a bit older.

Many of these are about failed utopias, and if she likes series of unfortunate events City of Ember is would be a good pairing.

The City of Ember.

There is a whole series of "Ember" books that are really good.

You could see if amazon.jp has the books you're looking for in English. Their delivery is super fast and the shipping is not that expensive, I used them a lot when I was living in Japan. If they live in the Tokyo area, maybe you could see if someone from the military base there (Yokota) would be willing to forward the books for you, then you would only be paying US->US shipping and could use media mail.

The Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas. Amazon.jp

The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan. Amazon.jp

Eragon by Christopher Paolini. Amazon.jp

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau. Amazon.jp

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. Amazon.jp

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. Amazon.jp


Among the Hidden by Margaret Haddix, Dragons of Autumn Twilight by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman, A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull, Dragon's Blood by Jane Yolen, The Search for WondLa by Tony DiTerlizzi.

The City of Ember?

http://www.amazon.com/The-City-Ember-First-Book/dp/0375822747

Here is the audio book for Maze Runner if you'd rather listen.

Check out The City of Ember Series. It's cheap and it also has a movie! The second book in the series is my favorite, again haha.

Here is The City of Ember audio book.

AND Finally if you want, check out World War Z. It is a very good book with many different stories about a world filled with Zombies!