City of Ember, directed by Gil Kenan (DVD)

Bibliographic Information:
Kenan, G. (2008). City of Ember. 20th Century Fox. ASIN: B001LPWGBO

Book Awards:
None


Plot Summary:
The people of the underground city of Ember don't remember why or how it was created. The box that will tell them how to get back above ground when the radiation levels have lowered has been lost. The generators that create light and power are beginning to fail. The food supply is beginning to run out. The mayor who is supposed to lead them is weak and corrupt. One girl, Lina, finds a clue that makes her question everything she has ever known. She and her friend, Doon, must solve the mystery to save the city before it collapses in on itself.

Critical Evaluation:
Bill Murray is an unexpectedly great bad guy! The rest of the acting is pretty good too, but there are plot holes you could drive a truck through. For a younger audience, though, the giant, man-eating mole is deliciously terrifying, and the wild water ride out of the city makes perfect sense. I was intensely disappointed by the ending, though: the kids save themselves and leave the rest of the people in a collapsing city, stopping only to throw a rock with a note tied to it back down the hole. They then wander blissfully off into the sunset, and it "feels" like a happy ending.

Reader's Annotation:
The city of Ember is breaking down. Can Lina and Doon find the way out before everyone is trapped in the darkness?

About the Author:
Not applicable

Genre:
Fantasy

Curriculum Ties:
None

Booktalking Ideas:
Not applicable

Interest Age:
9-13

Challenge Issues:
None

Reason Included:
This is a popular, newly released movie based on a popular book series.