The People of Sparks (Ember #2)

The People of Sparks, the second book of Ember, by Jeanne DuPrau continues the story of Lina, Doon and the people from Ember.

Now that the Emberites have escaped their dying city, they have a lot to learn about living above ground. The come across the village of Sparks. And though the Emberites outnumber the Sparks (417 to 322), the people of Sparks agree to take them in and teach them the skills they will need to survive.

This novel is an interesting look at things we take for granted every day - the sunrise, wind, plants, etc... The people of Ember had electricity, which the post-Disaster village of Sparks does not have, but they lack the basic skills they need to go day to day. Not to mention that after 200 years underground, they are prone to sunburn.

DuPrau looks at people's desire to fight over the smallest slights and what can be done to keep the fight from escalating into war.

DuPrau, Jeanne. (2004). The People of Sparks. New York: Random House.