The People of Sparks is the second book in the Book of Ember series by Jeanne DuPrau. When the first book, The City of Ember, ended twelve year olds Lina and Doon had just discovered a way out of their underground city. In this second book, they wait anxiously hoping that the rest of their city will follow their lead and find their way out.
Lina and Doon are overjoyed when their friends, families and neighbors pour out of the underground. All the people are amazed at the world above the ground. They follow a road to a town called Sparks. The town people are worried about taking in so many people, they have just recently gotten to where they can feed their own selves. While the Ember people spent the last 240 years underground there were devastating wars on the surface of the planet. People have lost a lot of technology. Even though their own supplies are limited they decide to share their food, and teach the Ember people how to build and farm. Having lived underground forever, the Ember people aren’t used to heat, or sun, or even hard work. They have a lot to learn. Supplies are stretched thin, and tempers start to flare.
Lina sneaks away with a couple of scavengers. Lina hopes that the abandoned city they speak of is the beautiful city she’s always envisioned. What she sees there forms her character for later decisions. When she returns to Sparks, she finds tempers at an all time high. The people of the two cities are basically ready to go to war with one another. Doon and Lina both have to make very brave decisions to stop the war.
The book deals with some complex ethical questions about war, and leadership, being careful who you follow, and standing up for your beliefs.
Also See:
The City of Ember – Jeanne Duprau
The Lightning Thief – Rick Riordan
Howl’s Moving Castle – Diana Wynne Jones