City of Ember

DuPrau, J. (2003). City of Ember. NY: Yearling.

Young YA Lit / Fiction / Dystopian

Fun story that relies on a lot of things just working out - lots of improbability, but it's an interesting premise, the main characters are interesting kids, and the writing is well-done. I enjoyed it and think younger kids would really like it -- after all, you complete your schooling, choose your job and start working at age 12!  Everyone's well-rested because when it's lights out for one, it's lights out for all.  (No reading under the covers with your flashlight 'cause there aren't any!) Light is not individually controlled and when it's dark, it's pitch black. And the lights are starting to fail from time to time.

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There are a few things that bothered me. One was the lack of response to Lina's grandmother dying. This is all the family she and her baby sister have left, and there doesn't seem to be much grieving. Another bother is that the kids left a note and told everyone how to leave Ember, and they just did it.  I know there was some desperation among the people, but this seems weird to me. We're talking about adults. Wouldn't they send a scouting party first? Wouldn't there be much discussion? A vote? I dunno, that was just a bit hard to swallow. It definitely makes it convenient, but I think it would have been interesting if it were clear that not everyone left and that there was some divisiveness back in good ol' Ember.

There are a few things that bothered me.

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I continue my roll of having the books I read connected by some common thread. Here, the main character's parents are dead. . .the book I'm reading now, Skinny - the main character's mom is dead. . . and several of the books I read prior, including Rotters, Glitches, A Monster Calls, and Wonderstruck the main character's mom (and dad) is dead (or dying).  Is this a YA Lit thing or sorry coincidence?

I read this one electronically on my iPad, borrowed from my library. I'm starting to enjoy reading this way, but it's so frustrating that my library doesn't have any of the sequels available for download.  I'm too cheap to pay for a copy, so I'll wait my turn at the library for the hard cover, I guess. Or maybe just never continue the series. So many books, so little time. 

Here's a link to the movie trailer, though I have no idea if it did the book justice.

Heaven Is For Real

Burpo, T. (2010). Heaven Is For Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Fiction? Non-Fiction? Memoir

I typically don't read these kind of books -- first accounts of paranormal experiences or encounters with God, Jesus, or angels.  Of course, this isn't actually a first account since the alleged experiences in Heaven were by a child too young to compile them into a book.  But therein lies the draw -- we are operating on faith and want to believe, while at the same time we want some proof!

There are plenty of reasons one could read the book and not be convinced that the boy spent time in Heaven: primarily, his father is an evangelical preacher, and it can be assumed that his message was preached at home as well as on the pulpit.  Children are sponges and it doesn't seem unlikely or outlandish that a four-year-old would be able to repeat what he'd heard at home or in Sunday school teachings.  The father asserts that the depictions  his young son gave were too specific and things to which the child wouldn't have possibly been exposed. Maybe.

At the same time, there were plenty of reasons to believe this child had spent time with Jesus and in Heaven, based on what the father says he said.  For example, [the father says] that the boy said he met his sister in Heaven.  The boy's mother said he told him he didn't have a sister, but the boy said his sister told him she'd died before she was born.   The mother had indeed miscarried a child but said they had never shared that information with the little boy. Compelling, but again, the reader must take it on faith that the boy never overheard or picked-up on it before. 

There was one event that did make me consider the possibility was real that the child had been with Jesus in his near-death experience.  I won't elaborate, but it has to do with the one painting (of hundreds he'd seen) which he claims looks just like Jesus.

The book was quick and easy to read, and it definitely is something to ponder. It doesn't really matter if we believe this child spent time in Heaven; he and his family certainly do and that's what's important.  If that helps them or others grow in their faith, then I'm all for it.