"The Books of Ember" - Series by Jeanne DuPrau

"The Books of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau are a fantastic series of science fiction novels about a post apocalyptic world and the brave and strong survivors that populate it. The series focuses on human interactions under stress and conflict.

"The City of Ember"

The first book in the series introduces Ember, a strange city lit by electric lights. No light comes from the sky, because there is no sky above Ember. The people of Ember don't realize it, but they are living in an underground city designed to preserve human life through the nuclear war. The only problem is that now the city has become trap. The people no longer no how to get out and the city is slowly dying.

"The People of Sparks"

Teenage heroes Lina and Doon finally found the way out of Ember. But when the Emberites emerge into the above ground world they find it to be more difficult and more dangerous than they thought.

Soon conflict develops between the people of Ember and the people of a nearby farming community called Sparks.

"The Prophet of Yonwood"

Jeanne Duprau takes readers back in time to before the nuclear apocolypse, showing the events that led to the event itself and more importantly the creation of Ember to preserve human life.

This book is about how religion can be misused for personal purposes.

"The Diamond of Darkhold"

The people of Ember and Sparks have made peace and are now living as one community. However, conditions are very bad and it seems that there will not be enough food to go around.

Then Lina and Doon discover traces that the Builders of Ember also left them a fantastic device designed to make life above ground easier. There is only one problem: they must travel back to Ember to recover it.

"The Books of Ember" are the best science fiction novels I have ever read. As a collection they are simply amazing. Not only does Jeanne Duprau teach important lessons, but she also provides fascinating and exciting plots that will keep any reader satisfied. I highly recommend that you read each "Book of Ember."

“The Diamond of Darkhold,” by Jeanne DuPrau

“The Diamond of Darkhold,” by Jeanne DuPrau is the fourth installment in the marvelous “Books of Ember” series.

When Doon and Lina led the people of Ember out of their dying underground city and into the world above ground everything was new and strange. Now a few months have passed, and the people of Ember are living in a small post apocalyptic community called Sparks. Life aboveground is hard, especially in the winter. Harsh weather and limited food and medical supplies make some Emberites, Lina included, think back to their comfortable life in Ember. Valuable supplies were left behind in Ember during the final rush to leave the city before the generator finally gave out. If these supplies could be retrieved it would make life in Sparks a little easier.

Then Doon and Lina find an old book written by the Builders of Ember. The unusual book is almost completely destroyed, but it hints at an advanced device that the Builders left behind for the Emberites. This device was designed to help make life above ground easier for them. Together, Lina and Doon decide to return to the abandoned city of Ember to find this gift from the Builders. But the abandoned Ember is a different city now, and not at all what they expect...

“The Diamond of Darkhold” is another great book from best selling author Jeanne DuPrau. The plot is immaculate, with plenty of great details and fresh new looks at areas of Ember that readers didn't get to see before. With each new Book of Ember DuPrau shares just a little more information about the grand plot and intricate workings behind the history of Ember. She even manages to leave room for a possible sequel. I highly recommend “The Diamond of Darkhold” to everyone who has read the first three Books of Ember.

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“Maniac Magee,” by Jerry Spinelli

“Maniac Magee,” by Jerry Spinelli is a Newberry Award winning novel about a young homeless boy who becomes a legend in his town.

Maniac Magee made his name by doing things that other people thought impossible. Not only was he willing to visit the East End of town, where he was a white boy in a black neighborhood, but he could also play sports better than anyone else in town, and run faster than anyone else in town.

But there is one thing that Maniac Magee doesn't have: a real home, and parents who love him. “Maniac Magee” is the story of how this unusual boy made his reputation, and in the end changed the people of his town completely.

I felt that “Maniac Magee” was a well written story. The plot was a little hazy at first, mostly focusing on how the main character managed to impress the other children of his town and create an enduring reputation. I felt that Jerry Spinelli did an excellent job creating his characters, embodying them with remarkable traits and personalities, but the storyline itself was nothing special. “Maniac Magee” has the tone of an epic story, but its only strong point is its main character.

Overall I would say that “Maniac Magee” is an interesting book, but I don't think I would have given it a Newberry Award.

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