The Prophet of Yonwood

In this prequel to *The City of Ember*, 11-year-old Nickie finds herself in the small town of Yonwood, North Carolina, as the world teeters on the brink of war. When a local woman has a terrifying vision of destruction, her garbled words are interpreted as divine instructions to avoid catastrophe, leading the town into a rigid, fear-driven society where civil liberties are eroded. Nickie, an observant outsider, delves into local mysteries, questioning the interpretations and seeking genuine ways to help. The book explores themes of fear, authoritarianism, the loss of civil rights, and the importance of individual courage and critical thinking. It's suitable for middle-grade readers aged 10-14, offering a compelling narrative that sparks discussions about societal control and finding hope in challenging times.

It's 50 years before the settlement of the city of Ember, and the world is in crisis. War looms on the horizon as 11-year-old Nickie and her aunt travel to the small town of Yonwood, North Carolina. There, one of the town's respected citizens has had a terrible vision of fire and destruction. Her garbled words are taken as prophetic instruction on how to avoid the coming disaster. If only they can be interpreted correctly. . . .As the people of Yonwood scramble to make sense of the woman's mysterious utterances, Nickie explores the oddities she finds around town--her great-grandfather's peculiar journals and papers, a reclusive neighbor who studies the heavens, a strange boy who is fascinated with snakes--all while keeping an eye out for ways to help the world. Is this vision her chance? Or is it already too late to avoid a devastating war? In this prequel to the acclaimed *The City of Ember* and *The People of Sparks*, Jeanne DuPrau investigates how, in a world that seems out of control, hope and comfort can be found in the strangest of places. *--From the Hardcover edition.*