City of Ember Deluxe Edition
Jeanne DuPrau
City of Ember Deluxe Edition
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The First Book of Ember
by Jeanne DuPrau
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What if the only city left on Earth was running out of light? Lina and Doon are the only ones who can unlock a secret message that might save everyone. But the clock is ticking, and darkness is closing in faster than they ever imagined.
Quick Assessment
City of Ember Deluxe Edition is a gripping science fiction adventure about two young friends trying to save their underground city from total darkness. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of teamwork, problem-solving, and hope in a post-apocalyptic setting. The book contains mild peril and suspense but is appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated City of Ember Deluxe Edition 12ME
City of Ember Deluxe Edition is written at a Level 7 reading level across 320 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, City of Ember Deluxe Edition works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate City of Ember Deluxe Edition as 12ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, City of Ember Deluxe Edition explores adventure, friendship, science & nature, mystery, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, friendship, science & nature.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780385371353
- Pages
- 320
- Publisher
- Random House Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction