City Of Ember

The first in the Books of Ember series, The City of Ember was adapted into a movie in 2008. This book is a great intro to the dystopian genre that is so popular in young adult fiction. Lina and Doon are 12 in the underground city of Ember, and at 12, they are assigned job based on their abilities. Lina is assigned to the job that she's always dreamed about, a messenger who flits about the city, learning interesting things, while Doon is stuck in the pipeworks. What they both soon discover is that the lights of Ember are going out. Supplies are running low. People are hoarding things and behaving in strange ways. Lina and Doon realize that it is up to them to solve the problem before the lights of Ember go out for good. This book has everything! There's a mystery, there's action and adventure. The underground city is perfectly realized in every detail, and Lina and Doon are smart, real kids who are up against some pretty scary things with bravery and the power of friendship. For fans of the Harry Potter series who want to transition to science-fiction, this series is a great place to start.