The People of Sparks: The Second Book of Ember (Books of Ember)
by Jeanne DuPrau
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Book Summary Information
Author: Jeanne DuPrauBrand: Yearling
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-04-12
ISBN: 0375828257
Number of pages: 352
Publisher: Yearling
Book Reviews of The People of Sparks: The Second Book of Ember (Books of Ember)
Book Review: Exploration of war and violence in a YA book? Check!
Summary: 4 Stars
I'll start by admitting that while I enjoyed The City of Ember (Books of Ember) and found it truly fascinating in the issues it brought up, I actually found it almost too simple of a read. A flaw that I can easily overlook given the intended readership. I did not find this an issue with this book and this is probably because of the simple fact that the issues in this book are slightly more complex to break down. But the sheer fact that DuPrau is able to touch upon such massive issues as the roots of violence and war and neither talk down to her readers nor be over their respective heads is truly phenomenal.
I don't think anyone is a fan of war or violence. At least not consciously. As Doon shows so adequately, he doesn't want to be angry or react harshly, but there are situations where it can often seem the only option. Maybe it's the only one readily noticeable or the easiest to accomplish, but it doesn't feel right to him. I have a harder time relating to Tick, but I think that I have a harder time accepting that he's just evil for evil's sake. I'll grant the possibility that such a thing exists, but I still would have liked more of a justification than he was just fueled by the enjoyment of anger or the like.
I also find it noteworthy that what the author has shown here is that the roots of such an awful thing as an outright war are in fact very simple things. Stemming the progression might be a difficult process, but the root of the entire thing starts out as something that almost seems inconsequential. Like a snowball rolling down a hill, it's this nearly insignificant thing that grows until it very likely becomes out of control. I once heard when I was very young that every war could be traced back to this: one important person pokes another important person and the first starts to cry . . . and then of course it just balloons into a huge mess. Now that's probably not historically accurate, but the point is one I fully embrace and certainly the events in this book would justify such a belief. Not only that but she also explores the idea that violence itself -- for whatever reason -- only creates more violence and thus it really doesn't solve anything.
The other major thing that is brought up in this book is the idea of social responsibility. I have a degree in Sociology and I readily admit that this can be a difficult and complex idea to explain even to an adult and yet the author presents it in such a way that it's remarkable in its simplicity. The refugees of Ember are in desperate need of assistance and the people of Sparks are in a position to help them: give them food, teach them the ways of this new world, etc. But does that mean they are obligated to sacrifice themselves for these strangers who seemingly have nothing to give in return? And if they don't, what's to become of the former underground citizens?
Also, in a subtle way DuPrau touches on discrimination and stereotyping. Right off the bat the villagers of Sparks are suspicious of the Ember refugees. History has taught them to be cautious of strangers and then of course the refugees are not used to this new world and seem stupid, lazy and weak. These initial and somewhat unfounded descriptions only feed their mistrust and cause those of Ember to feel ostracized and ridiculed. When they try and stand up for themselves by explaining their limitations, the villagers refuse to believe otherwise and justify any of the eventual misdeeds on the facts as they seem them. And it goes the other way, as well, the refugees are mistreated and feel wronged and so they accept that all of Sparks is that way and will continue to act as such.
Building on the themes of the first book, I also enjoyed that DuPrau doesn't give her characters a simple answer. Just like the Believers back in Ember who were basically waiting around for some higher power to solve everything, Lina discovers that there is no magic solution for the refugees of Ember. She doesn't lose hope, of course, that her people won't find a workable solution to survive. But she does learn that just because she feels strongly that this particular answer -- in this case the shining city of her imagination -- is not going to be their solution.
The most amazing thing I find with this book (and its predecessor) is that the major themes presented can easily be related to our present times. Whether this was intended or not, the end result is a bit eerie and yet incredibly impressive. Truly enjoyable read; I very much recommend!
Summary of The People of Sparks: The Second Book of Ember (Books of Ember)
The People of Sparks picks up where The City of Ember leaves off. Lina and Doon have emerged from the underground city to the exciting new world above, and it isn?t long before they are followed by the other inhabitants of Ember. The Emberites soon come across a town where they are welcomed, fed, and given places to sleep. But the town?s resources are limited and it isn?t long before resentment begins to grow between the two groups. When anonymous acts of vandalism push them toward violence, it?s up to Lina and Doon to discover who?s behind the vandalism and why, before it?s too late.From the Hardcover edition.
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