In this book, the sequel to The City of Ember, DuPrau continues the adventures of Doon and Lina, who have led the people from the underground city of Ember to the Earth's surface and the city of Sparks. The refugees are welcomed by the people of Sparks who live near a wasteland left by the disaster a long time ago that nearly destroyed most of civilization. Due to the differences between the sheltered, electric-powered life in Ember and the low-tech, farm-based existence in Sparks, conflict arises between the two groups. As conflict and violence escalate, Doon and Lina must find a solution that provides hope for the future of both groups.

The protagonist in this novel is chosen by powerful adults to carry out an important task. Set in a futuristic society that emerges after great destruction on planet Earth, Kira is left homeless after her mother dies mysteriously. Kira is threatened with death because she has a deformed leg and her society sees no purpose for those who cannot do hard labour. Kira is saved because, like her mother, she is able to dye threads.
The Council of Guardians gives her the job of repairing and restoring the robe of the Singer, the oral historian who presides at the annual harvest time Gathering celebration. Through her work, Kira discovers that she has real talent for creating new and beautiful patterns. She also discovers, however, that her temporary privileged status will eventually bring her doom. The novel is an examination of a future society that will challenge readers to think about community, creativity and the values they have learned to accept.
Gathering Blue would be a good choice for literature circles and for discussions around the theme of the future.

In this sequel to Stravaganza: City of Masks, Georgia's stepbrother Russell makes her life miserable. Georgia loves horses and when she buys a tiny winged horse in an antique shop, she develops the ability to move back and forth between a parallel dimension of her world in contemporary London and Talia and 16th-century Italy. In Talia, Georgia becomes a jockey and, disguised as a boy, wins an important race. Georgia is a strong, determined individual who overcomes difficulties and focuses on achievement. In the end, Russell's meanness is revealed and he is forced to leave Georgia alone.
The sections of the novel that are set in contemporary England feature English expressions and terminology, while the sections set in Talia include Italian names. While this might be challenging for some readers, it also emphasizes the difference between Georgia's two worlds.

This edition invites students to interact with the play by encouraging decision making and creativity. Preceding each scene is an introduction and one or two questions related to exploring ideas, themes or personal experiences. Following each scene is a set of activities connected to the issues and problems that arise during the scene. Many of the suggested activities call for group work and personal response. The book is designed with the play on the right-hand side and key vocabulary words on the left-hand side.

This re-telling of the eighth century Anglo-Saxon poem infuses the condensed narrative of strong, rhythmical prose with word choices that retain the flavour of the original. Many of the literary devices such as alliteration are incorporated. This version makes the poem more approachable to a modern audience.
The illustrations contribute to the understanding of the text for the adolescent reader. The black-and-white drawings evoke the menace and mystery apparent in the story. The book supports the viewing and representing strands.

Philbrick has written an imaginative, disturbing story about a bleak and dangerous future world. A teenage boy called Spaz, because of his epilepsy, undergoes a journey to find his adoptive sister, Bean. Spaz still has his memory because he cannot take the drug-like mindprobes that turn the others into zombies. Ryter, an old man, accompanies Spaz on his adventure because he is one of the few people who still remembers and values books. Lanya, a female "proov" (genetically improved human), takes the group to Eden, an idyllic proov community that is different from the dangerous toxic Urbs where "normals" live. When Ryter is killed by a mob, Spaz must tell his story in "the last book in the universe."