OT-children's books similar to City of Ember

[brandylouwho]

So, I just finished watching the City of Ember movie and it reminds me of a book I read as a kid (elementary school). I cannot remember the name of the book & it is driving me crazy. I am googling away and not finding it either...so maybe someone here has read it or their kids have read it...or was a reading teacher or children's librarian in the 80s?


It was about an underground society, which a couple of kids escape from. I think there were multiple levels of this city and life on "the surface" was a fantasy or myth. I also associate the number 13 with this memory (like the city had 13 levels, or the 13th level was the earth's surface?) But I could be mixing this memory up with other books I read.

If anyone has any ideas I'd appreciate them. I am not sure I will be able to sleep tonight until I figure this out. Although maybe if I can fall asleep it will come to me...hmm...

 

[Leajess99]

So, I just finished watching the City of Ember movie and it reminds me of a book I read as a kid (elementary school). I cannot remember the name of the book & it is driving me crazy. I am googling away and not finding it either...so maybe someone here has read it or their kids have read it...or was a reading teacher or children's librarian in the 80s?


It was about an underground society, which a couple of kids escape from. I think there were multiple levels of this city and life on "the surface" was a fantasy or myth. I also associate the number 13 with this memory (like the city had 13 levels, or the 13th level was the earth's surface?) But I could be mixing this memory up with other books I read.

If anyone has any ideas I'd appreciate them. I am not sure I will be able to sleep tonight until I figure this out. Although maybe if I can fall asleep it will come to me...hmm...

The movie is based off of the book City of Embers. It is part of a series and I believe ther are 4 books in the series.

 

[brandylouwho]

Thanks--it wasn't City of Ember though, this was in the early to mid 80s & the story was different, but on a similar vein. I think the Ember series is fairly modern.

Why do our braind work like this? I have vague memories, it would be kinder to not remember it at all tonight.

OK, ya'll can ignore my strange question...just found it "Time of Darkness" Now I can go to bed and sleep peacefully knowing that I am not making up memories. BTW the description is very, very similar to City of Ember. No wonder it sparked this memory in my old brain.

From the Amazon review of "Time of Darkness":
Eleven-year-old Amy lives in a decaying underground city. Ignored by her mother and under surveillance by authorities because she can read, Amy reluctantly finds herself befriending Axel-a strange boy who claims to have come from a mythical place called ...Outside. Is Axel crazy? Amy knows there is no such place as Outside. Later: the children going to "training dorm" to learn a "skill" (things like how to make the City's uniform thong sandals or pipe repair)

 

[PinkRhombus]

Try this.....

http://www.amazon.com/City-Under-Ground-Suzanne-Martel/dp/0671297309


EDITING: NEVERMIND! Glad you found it. Nothing is worse than having something like that just bug you to death.