Shared literature is one of the best parts of adolescence, I think. It takes some doing on the part of the parent, but I think it is well worth the effort for the connection you can make with your child(ren).
One good possibility is the Hunger Games trilogy, but I want to share a lesser known one that is well-worth your time- The City of Ember trilogy.
The City of Ember
I stumbled upon this book at a wonderful used bookstore in the nearest big city to us. We can all lose ourselves for hours there (although the little ones would cost us a fortune if we let them pile up books in our carts for all that time!) browsing and finding treasures. They have a great audio book section and this is where I happened upon the first book in the series.
When I first picked it it up and read the back, I didn’t see it for the potential it really has. In the first story, a group of people are living in an underground city, but time is running out for these people. They are nearly out of food, their electricity is getting unpredictable, and they realize that their government is corrupt. They must find an alternative or their way of life is in jeopardy. It takes two young people who aren’t too indoctrinated in “the way things are” to solve the problem.
I didn’t originally realize that the book was the first of a series. (That would not have stopped me from getting it on audio since I frequently play only the first in a series of books, just to whet the appetite for the sequels in my school-agers so they will be drawn to read more quality literature on their own). I came upon the sequel at the public library (again in the big city nearest to us, where we pay to have borrowing privileges since our local town library has such an anemic selection). I think this second one in the series is better than the first.
The People of Sparks
In the People of Sparks, the story gets much more interesting (to my way of thinking). The citizens of Ember have found their way out of the cave they have lived in (unknowingly) for generations and have nothing as they wander forward on the surface.
They come up0n a village of people who have survived the “Great Disaster” and have made a life for themselves. The villagers have to decide whether they should take in these poor homeless people or not, and if so, how. Sound like a familiar “preparedness” topic now?
The reader/listener is predisposed to favor the people of Ember since they know them “personally” from the first book. But, from an objective point of view, these people represent the oft-discussed “Golden Horde.” It’s so easy when it’s “those people” who are lazy, stupid, etc., but how about when they are real people who find themselves in need.
They are willing to do their share but they just don’t know how and have nothing to offer. Do you turn them away? Do you give them X amount of your stored goods and threaten them if they come back? What is the right thing to do? And when the inevitable disagreements pop up, how do you settle them?
The children and I have had many very interesting, fertile conversations about how each turn of the story should be interpreted and dealt with. In many ways, this is a story of rebuilding society. As such, it is mighty important whom you choose to be your leader(s).
We have talked about types of government (democratic, Socialist, etc.), the value of being a leader who see both sides of the issue and anticipate outcomes, the importance of being a problem-s0lver, of understanding history, and so on. We’ve talked about charismatic leaders of the past and the path they’ve led their followers down. There are really so many excellent discussion opportunities! It has been one of the best stories we have listened to together so far.
The Final Analysis
I would highly recommend these books for you and your family if you have adolescents. Now, that I have done a little more research, I see that there are three books in the the series and that the third one chronicles the “great disaster” that led to the events told of in books two and three.
In addition, I see that the first book is being made into a movie now. Always better to read the books first, huh?
So, have you read these books yet? How did you like them? Would you recommend them to those with children? To everyone?
PreppingToSurvive.com 
January 31, 2013 at 8:53 am
i havent read the books but i have the movie for the city of ember and i love it. now that i know its a book i’m going to hunt it down and read it, bc as all us book lovers know books are always better than movies and if i love the movie i know i’ll love the book
June 12, 2014 at 4:10 pm
Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored at work soo I decided to check out your website onn myy iphone during lunch break.
I really like tthe knowledge you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.I’m shocked aat how fast
your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G ..
Anyways, amazing blog!
September 3, 2014 at 7:26 am
If some one wishes expert view concerning blogging and
site-building then i advise him/her to pay a visit this web site, Keep up the nice
job.
September 4, 2014 at 5:30 am
What a stuff of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious experience regarding unpredicted feelings.
September 4, 2014 at 2:31 pm
You can still get an excellent meal at a restaurant that doesn’t participate directly in the
program, because the restaurants often have gluten-free pasta stashed away for their regular clients, and they’re
already well familiar with celiac disease and gluten-free food.
Power outlets make sure that you are getting problem free experience even with
your old laptops because they may turn dark without power outlets.
Instead of focusing on a futuristic goal such as losing 10 pounds, focus on what you are
doing every day to become healthier.
September 8, 2014 at 9:29 am
If they usually take a nap around 10 AM, start putting them down for their nap around
9:30, that way they are not too tired, but they are tired enough to fall asleep.
Article Source: Fitzgerald created the Sleepytot baby comforter which helps babies find their dummies themselves so everyone gets a good night’s sleep.
Baby wedge as a side sleeping pregnancy pillow as
well as a labour assistance pillow.
September 9, 2014 at 8:12 pm
As there is so much competition in current market, every company is looking for quality work
and experienced employee. Search Engine Optimization is necessary for every website which has been published for promoting any online
business. feature that is installed by default on many
web servers.
September 11, 2014 at 1:26 pm
Saved as а favorite, I like your blog!
September 11, 2014 at 5:27 pm
After tightening the product, I double checked that the product lined up with the strings.
Customized Workout Programs – The most popular aspect of i – Fit Live is
the ability to have personalized workout programs loaded onto
your treadmill based on your fitness goals. None of the
teen-aged actors were familiar to me, but my grandson knew
several of them.
September 15, 2014 at 3:57 am
You should be a part of a contest for onne of the finest sites on the
web. I will highly recommend this blog!
September 15, 2014 at 4:23 am
Unquestionably beleve that that you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the
internet the simplest thing to consider of. I say to you, I
certainly get irked while other folks consider issues that they plainly don’t realize about.
You controlled to hitt the nail upon the highest and outlined out the entire thing with no need
side effect , other people can take a signal. Will likly
be back to get more. Thanks
September 15, 2014 at 9:20 am
We stumbled over here different web page and thought I might as well check things out.
I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to
looking at your web page for a second time.
September 16, 2014 at 7:49 am
First of all I would like to say fantastic blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you
do not mind. I was interested to find out how you
center yourself and clear your head before writing.
I have had a tough time clearing my thoughts in getting my thoughts out there.
I do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10
to 15 minutes are usually wasted just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or tips?
Cheers!
September 16, 2014 at 11:53 am
At this time I am going away to do my breakfast, once having my breakfast coming again to read other
news.
September 20, 2014 at 2:57 am
Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and
I find It really helpful & it helped me out much.
I’m hoping to present one thing again and help others like you aided me.
September 20, 2014 at 8:39 am
Yes, this can be a fabulously safe approach, nonetheless it can be immunologically an overly simplistic and naive solution (1) whose failure
charge in the last 25 year is ~99%; (2) has placed us back vast amounts of dollars and a
long time of time proving it really is inadequate for most diseases
such as for example HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and genital herpes; and I remember that (3) over 50 million folks have died
or experienced these diseases while researchers have been absent-mindedly trying out their theories of why subunit vaccines should function and ignoring the
mounting pile of carcasses of failed medical trials of Helps, TB, malaria,
and herpes vaccines.
September 21, 2014 at 7:08 am
It’s truly a great and useful piece of info. I am happy that you simply shared
this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this.
Thanks for sharing.
September 24, 2014 at 1:16 am
I believe this is one of the so much significant info
for me. And i’m satisfied reading your article.
However should statement on few basic things, The site
style is wonderful, the articles is actually nice :
D. Just right activity, cheers
September 24, 2014 at 4:19 pm
Wonderful beat ! I would like to apprentice even as you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog web site?
The account aided me a applicable deal. I were
a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered shiny clear idea
September 28, 2014 at 10:37 am
Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this blog.
It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s tough to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual appearance.
I must say that you’ve done a amazing job with this.
Additionally, the blog loads very fast for me on Chrome. Excellent Blog!
October 1, 2014 at 6:51 pm
You actually make it seem so easy together
with your presentation but I find this matter to
be really one thing that I think I’d never understand.
It seems too complicated and extremely vast for me.
I am having a look forward in your next publish, I will attempt to get the
hang of it!
October 2, 2014 at 7:59 am
Hello, after reading this amazing article i am too happy to
share my experience here with friends.
October 2, 2014 at 9:36 am
This post is genuinely a pleasant one it helps new web visitors,
who are wishing for blogging.
October 6, 2014 at 5:42 am
Good day! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one?
Thanks a lot!
October 6, 2014 at 9:33 pm
This article presents clear idea in support of the new viewers of blogging, that truly how to do blogging and site-building.
October 8, 2014 at 3:43 am
Most Facebook users are teenagers who do not have a lot of money to spend.
I recommend using a simple font that is easy to read in a size ranging from 32 to
40. For example, if your food business is dedicated to gourmet
party appetizers your bio might be as simple as “Gourmet appetizers delivered right to your door.
October 14, 2014 at 8:44 am
I used to be more than happy to find this net-site.I wished to
thanks in your time for this excellent read!! I undoubtedly enjoying each little little bit of it
and I’ve you bookmarked to check out new stuff
you website post.
May 6, 2015 at 12:54 am
Whats up very cool website!! Man .. Beautiful ..
Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally?
I am happy to find numerous useful info here within the post,
we’d like develop extra strategies on this regard,
thank you for sharing. . . . . .