The People of Sparks is a must-read novel for all lovers of The City of Ember.
Reading Level
Lexile 760L
Interest Level
Grades 6-8
Length
352 pages
Award
William Allen White Children’s Book Award
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⭐ About the Book: The People of Sparks
The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau continues the story begun in The City of Ember, following the Emberites as they emerge from their underground city and encounter the village of Sparks. After days of traveling through unfamiliar terrain, the weary group arrives hoping for shelter, food, and guidance. Instead, they find a community that is cautious, overwhelmed, and unsure whether it can support so many newcomers.
The people of Sparks agree to help but only temporarily. As resources grow strained and misunderstandings deepen, tensions rise between the Emberites and the villagers. The novel explores how fear, scarcity, and first impressions can shape relationships, and how easily conflict can escalate when two groups struggle to coexist. Meanwhile, Lina sets off on her own journey, determined to find the “city of her dreams” she imagined while living in Ember.
⭐ Book Details
| Publication Date | June 22, 2004 |
| Reading Level | Lexile 760L • Guided Reading Level W |
| Interest Level | Grades 6–8 (Ages 8–12) |
| Length | 352 pages (approx. 107,360 words) |
| Estimated Reading Time | About 7 hours and 9 minutes |
| Audiobook Length | 7 hours and 55 minutes |
| Genre | Children’s literature • Post-apocalyptic • Science fiction • Action and adventure • Sequel to The City of Ember |
| Setting | The future, in the fictional town of Sparks near the wasteland left by the long-ago Disaster |
| Themes | War, Opposing Points of View, First Impressions |
| Point of View | Third person with shifting perspectives |
| Memorable Quote | “When someone has been mean to you, why would you want to be good to them?” “You wouldn’t want to. That’s what makes it hard. You do it anyway. Being good is hard. Much harder than being bad.” |
| First Line | “Torren was out at the edge of the cabbage field that day, the day the people came.” |
The People of Sparks Teaching Activities
Book Unit Samples
This sample contains the following:
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension Questions for Chapters 1-2
- Constructed Response Question – Sequencing
- Activities and Discussion for Chapters 1-2
- Story Mapping
- English – Lesson 1 – Understanding Sentences
Discussion #1 ~ Community
Once the Emberites come to Sparks, the community is divided in two. The people in Sparks do not wish to give up their vital resources. They fear their winter supplies will be too low. The Emberites have no concept of winter. They cannot understand why the villagers are being stingy. The villagers provide the refugees with only the bare essentials for living. Over time, the quantity and quality of the food lowers. Eventually, Spark’s leaders vote to stop having the Emberites in their homes for dinner.
Communication is low. Hostility grows between the two sets of people. The Emberites learn they will be ejected from the village in the middle of winter. Negative feelings escalate. Petty exchanges of revenge take place. Finally, the groups are at war. Ben brings out the ‘Terrible Weapon.’ The machine gun explodes. This creates a threatening fire.
Discussion Questions
How does greed affect the community?
By what means does the community support itself? Is raising food a problem?
How does the community govern itself?
Why is communication vital?
How does Sparks compare to other communities in literature?
Discussion #2 ~ Refugees
Refugees are people who have been forced to leave a country because of war or for religious or political reasons. Most leave their homeland because they fear for their safety. Estimates show that at least 60 million people were displaced in 2015.
Another reason for fleeing a region is global climate change. Water and food are scarce in some parts of the world. Have students compare the Emberites to a group of refugees in today’s world.
Discussion #3 ~ Effects of War
The reader learns that the Builders took a group of people underground to prevent the race from completely dying. Four wars and a plague had nearly destroyed the population. What effects does war have?
Here is a little information to get you started:
Revolutionary War Statistics
Small Pox
George Washington had all his forces vaccinated for smallpox. After this, the death rate of this disease decreased from 17% to 1%.
Causalities of the Revolutionary War
| Number | |
| Battle Casualties | 6,824 |
| Americans Wounded | 8,445 |
| Deaths from Disease | approximately 10,000 |
| Died in British Prisons | 8,500 |
| Americans Captured | 18,152 |
| Casualties from Battle and Disease | 24,000 |
Discussion Questions
- What are some of the physical and emotional effects of war on soldiers?
- How might war affect the mental health of soldiers?
- What are some of the long-term effects of war on the families and communities of soldiers?
- How might war disrupt or destroy the infrastructure and economy of a region or country?
- How might war affect the education and future opportunities of children in war-torn areas?
- How do you think war affects the environment?
- What are some ways that individuals and communities can help support soldiers and their families during and after the war?
See the product that inspired this post.
The People of Sparks Novel Study includes vocabulary practice, comprehension questions, constructed response writing, and skill practice.
