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heatherg213's review
4.0
Last week, I reviewed the book, City of Ember, by Jeanne DuPrau. This YA novel focuses on the residents of the underground city of Ember, a dying city. The heroes. Lina and Doon, find a way to save their people, if not their city. I enjoyed it. The setting was intriguing, the action was well paced, and the characters were relateable and well-written. What I thought were lacking were more global, sophisticated themes that would appeal equally to adults, a la The Giver by Lois Lowry.
Then I read The People of Sparks, and it all became clear to me. The People of Sparks picks up where City of Ember leaves off, with the Emberites traveling through the open landscape looking for other people. They finally stumble upon a village of 300 people called Sparks. The 400 survivors of the city of Ember are taken in by the residents of Sparks, who are themselves survivors (and the descendants of survivors) of devastating wars and plagues that swept across the globe, resulting in the loss of most of humankind. The generosity of the villagers is tested as food and supplies become more scarce. Acts of vandalism and graffiti contribute to an increasingly tense atmosphere, until it seems that violence is sure to erupt. Finally, there is a showdown that will determine the future of each group, villagers and Emberites alike.
This novel is a story about immigration, and xenophobia, and war, and fear, and greed. The villagers of Sparks act in a way that I suspect most of us would like to think we would in a similar position-when confronted with people in need they were generous and caring. But as time goes on, and resources become more scarce (or are perceived to be more scarce, which amounts to the same thing), the people of Sparks and the Emberites are increasingly at odds. The Emberites know that they are reliant on the villagers for support, which causes resentment. The villagers are increasingly afraid that after years of struggle, their relative comfort is threatened by the newcomers. Sound like the current immigration debate to anyone else? The leaders of each group make up stories about the "others" to incite fear and anger in order to justify starting a war. Sound at all like the lead up to Iraq, hm? This novel is one long lesson in the absurdity of xenophobia and war. Easy enough for middle grade readers to understand, substantive enough to be interesting to adult readers, The People of Sparks is the meat and potatoes to City of Ember's appetizer. I can't wait to see if the last book in the series, The Diamond of Darkhold, is a scrumptious desert, or if I'll leave the table hungry.
Then I read The People of Sparks, and it all became clear to me. The People of Sparks picks up where City of Ember leaves off, with the Emberites traveling through the open landscape looking for other people. They finally stumble upon a village of 300 people called Sparks. The 400 survivors of the city of Ember are taken in by the residents of Sparks, who are themselves survivors (and the descendants of survivors) of devastating wars and plagues that swept across the globe, resulting in the loss of most of humankind. The generosity of the villagers is tested as food and supplies become more scarce. Acts of vandalism and graffiti contribute to an increasingly tense atmosphere, until it seems that violence is sure to erupt. Finally, there is a showdown that will determine the future of each group, villagers and Emberites alike.
This novel is a story about immigration, and xenophobia, and war, and fear, and greed. The villagers of Sparks act in a way that I suspect most of us would like to think we would in a similar position-when confronted with people in need they were generous and caring. But as time goes on, and resources become more scarce (or are perceived to be more scarce, which amounts to the same thing), the people of Sparks and the Emberites are increasingly at odds. The Emberites know that they are reliant on the villagers for support, which causes resentment. The villagers are increasingly afraid that after years of struggle, their relative comfort is threatened by the newcomers. Sound like the current immigration debate to anyone else? The leaders of each group make up stories about the "others" to incite fear and anger in order to justify starting a war. Sound at all like the lead up to Iraq, hm? This novel is one long lesson in the absurdity of xenophobia and war. Easy enough for middle grade readers to understand, substantive enough to be interesting to adult readers, The People of Sparks is the meat and potatoes to City of Ember's appetizer. I can't wait to see if the last book in the series, The Diamond of Darkhold, is a scrumptious desert, or if I'll leave the table hungry.
leskit's review
4.0
"When the cheering subsided, Mary continued. 'We should take note,' she said, 'of how easy it is to bring out the worst in us. The actions of a few troubled individuals fanned resentments into violence. Only an accident kept us from murdering each other.' "
nicolleelizabeth's review against another edition
4.0
When you appreciate that this is a children's book it's very delightful.
I'm currently doing a course and my module is conflict resolution - this is a WHOLE book about conflict resolution but it's done well enough that young people could understand it.
I really appreciated the charm with the people from Ember learning about simple things like Chickens and Trees.
But throughout I thought it was well written about the growing tensions between the two groups - and particularly the sense of entitlement and superiority that each group had over the other.
Very different to the first book in the series but still full of charm.
I'm currently doing a course and my module is conflict resolution - this is a WHOLE book about conflict resolution but it's done well enough that young people could understand it.
I really appreciated the charm with the people from Ember learning about simple things like Chickens and Trees.
But throughout I thought it was well written about the growing tensions between the two groups - and particularly the sense of entitlement and superiority that each group had over the other.
Very different to the first book in the series but still full of charm.
lizella's review
3.0
The People of Sparks grapples with the issue of the destructive nature of human aggression in a way that is thoughtful without being too simplistic. The book places the YA reader into the shoes of Lina and Doon as they make their new life in a town that has finally started to make strides in creating a stable community and is now more than doubled in population by the influx of refugees from Ember. In splitting the book between these two characters, DuPrau allows the reader to see the issues through experiences and interactions with different people in the community and allows the tensions to build slowly in a manner that reinforces the author's message.
It would have been nice to read this book as a young reader, but it still resonates for the adult reader.
It would have been nice to read this book as a young reader, but it still resonates for the adult reader.
nutbug's review
3.0
I remember thinking this book was boring, but its been a while since I've read it.
cg439515's review against another edition
So boring even for a middle grade book :(
lyramadeline's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was just as great and charming as the first one. While there wasn’t a single mystery or quest threaded throughout the book like in the first one, it was a story about discovering new things, learning to get along with others, and doing the right thing even when it’s hard. It was also full of a lot of good messages and themes.
knynas1's review
4.0
4 ⭐
Great sequel to the first book! Discusses the destruction of war and what can be accomplished when we work together.
Great sequel to the first book! Discusses the destruction of war and what can be accomplished when we work together.
pacifickle's review
4.0
Great sequel in that it was the right amount of same and different from the last book. I am recommending it like crazy to the kids at my library!