First published 2003

The City of Ember

by Jeanne DuPrau

The City of Ember is a children's novel by Jeanne DuPrau, first published by Random House in the United States on 27 May 2003. In a failing underground city, Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow follow clues left by its builders to find a way out; it opens The Books of Ember.

Editions tracked
3
First edition
Random House, 2003
First published
Random House, 2003
Series
The City of Ember

The first edition of The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau was published in New York by Random House in 2003. We track 3 editions.

Editions

Which edition do you have?

First edition

  1. 1st Random House2003 Other · The City of Ember 1 I own The City of Ember, Random House 2003 Log in to want this

Later and other editions

  1. Doubleday2004 Hardback · The City of Ember 1 I own The City of Ember, Doubleday 2004 Log in to want this
  2. Corgi Yearling2005 Paperback · The City of Ember 1 I own The City of Ember, Corgi Yearling 2005 Log in to want this

We have not yet researched the issue points for this book. If you know how to tell the first from later printings, tell us and we will credit you once it is checked against a second source.

About the book

Awards, adaptations and setting

Adaptations

  • City of Ember film, 2008

Read next

In print

Editions recorded
37 on Open Library, 15 in English
Wikipedia
Articles in 10 languages

From Wikidata and Open Library, both CC0. A prize or a new adaptation often lifts demand for the first printing.

Same author

More by Jeanne DuPrau

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Questions collectors ask

Frequently asked questions

Who published the first edition of The City of Ember?

The first edition of The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau was published in New York by Random House in 2003.

How many editions of The City of Ember are there?

We track 3 editions of The City of Ember, including 1 first edition. Each has its own page with how to identify it.

Has The City of Ember been adapted?

Yes, including City of Ember (film, 2008), according to Wikidata.

What should I read after The City of Ember?

In order, it is followed by The People of Sparks, according to Wikidata.

Sources

Where these facts come from

Every fact on this page was checked against the sources listed. Checked 18 October 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.