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The City of Ember

Jeanne DuPrau

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Similar in characterization + relationships

These books are ranked using the characterization + relationships labels extracted for The City of Ember. Books rank higher when they are close on every selected axis.

Characterization labels used: child protagonists, twelve-year-olds, curious protagonists, brave protagonist, angry boy, resourceful girl, relatable leads, plucky kids, naive adults, corrupt mayor, family-centered

Relationships labels used: friendship, sibling bond, parent-child relationship, child-adult conflict, authority distrust, community solidarity, no romance

This does not mean the books share the same plot, setting, quality, or difficulty. It means their characterization + relationships embeddings are close.

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The Trouble with Perfect

Helena Duggan · 2019 · Perfect

When stolen children and a framed friend threaten her town, Violet must uncover who is behind the new trouble.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: brave heroine · child detective · best friend · framed boy · mischievous child · stubborn heroine · protective mother · sinister twins · supportive side characters · children act like children

Relationships labels: friendship · best friends · family conflict · siblings · mother-son · community trust · betrayal · adult-child tension

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1286

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The Lion of Mars

Jennifer L. Holm · 2021

An 11-year-old on Mars must uncover a hidden truth and help save his colony when the adults fall ill.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: 11-year-old protagonist · curious narrator · sweet narrator · brave child · obedient child · average kid · relatable characters · well-developed characters · multifaceted characters · supportive adults · teen dynamics · community-minded children · flawed characters · goth girl

Relationships labels: friendship · child-adult divide · community care · found family · peer pressure · family bond · cooperation · trust · mistrust · reconciliation · colony solidarity · adult authority · sibling-like group dynamics

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1388

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Prašina

Vojtěch Matocha · 2018 · Prašina

A child-led mystery adventure in a powerless Prague district where every secret points to a world-changing truth.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young protagonists · child duo/trio · resourceful girl · male lead · outsider characters · adult antagonists · dangerous adults · imperfect heroes · naive heroes · detective-minded kids · reluctant helper · grandfather figure

Relationships labels: friendship · romantic subplot · family bond · grandfather-grandson · teamwork · betrayal · uneven friendship · male-female duo · friend group · adult-child conflict

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1398

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Bite Risk

S.J. Wills · 2023 · Bite Risk

In a town where adults turn into werewolves monthly, a teen and his friends uncover a deeper, more sinister secret.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: thirteen-year-old protagonist · teen protagonists · young caretakers · best friends · found family · resourceful kids · curious investigator · likable protagonist · clumsy hero · responsible children · eccentric elder · bully · protective sibling · skeptical outsider

Relationships labels: friendship · best friends · found family · parent-child dependence · sibling relationship · community trust · rivalry · mentorship · intergenerational tension · peer alliance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1406

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The City of Ember: The Graphic Novel

Jeanne DuPrau · 2012 · Book of Ember Graphic Novels

Two children in a failing underground city decode a mystery that may be their only route to freedom.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: curious children · resourceful kids · hardworking protagonists · responsible older sister · protective sibling · bookish boy · corrupt mayor · shifty guards · sick grandmother · younger sibling · classmates · reluctant authority

Relationships labels: sibling bond · friendship · classmates · community trust · citizen vs authority · child vs government · protective sibling relationship · teamwork

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1409

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The Last Beekeeper

Pablo Cartaya · 2022

A smart farm girl in a climate-ravaged future uncovers secrets that could save her family, community, and the last bees.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: twelve-year-old protagonist · smart protagonist · opinionated protagonist · plucky heroine · strong female characters · older sister · family legacy · tech-savvy · comes-of-age

Relationships labels: sisters · family bonds · friendship · community solidarity · parental absence · authority conflict · mentor-like grandmother · government vs citizens

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1411

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Dragon Pearl

Yoon Ha Lee · 2019 · Thousand Worlds

A fox-spirit teen runs into space to clear her brother’s name and uncovers a dangerous relic hunt.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · resourceful heroine · clever trickster · impulsive protagonist · brave protagonist · morally gray protagonist · headstrong protagonist · young fox spirit · supportive side characters

Relationships labels: sibling bond · family loyalty · friendship · betrayal · authority conflict · community pressure

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1421

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The Gauntlet

Karuna Riazi · 2017 · The Gauntlet

A Bangladeshi-American girl and her friends must survive a living board game to rescue her brother and escape forever.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: twelve-year-old protagonist · smart protagonist · brave protagonist · resourceful protagonist · headstrong protagonist · compassionate protagonist · strong female lead · younger brother · best-friends trio

Relationships labels: sibling bond · older sister younger brother · friendship trio · family dynamics · teamwork · camaraderie · community · strained friendships · interdependence

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1427

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Escape Room

Christopher Edge · 2022

A 12-year-old’s birthday escape room turns deadly as she and four strangers race through puzzles to find the Answer.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: twelve-year-old protagonist · smart protagonist · puzzle lover · leader · team roles · distinct skill sets · stereotyped side characters · annoying rival · brave children · fragile bonds

Relationships labels: found family · teamwork · strangers to allies · friendship · parent-child · peer conflict · group dynamics · dependence

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1440

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Children of Exile

Margaret Peterson Haddix · 2016 · Children of Exile

Raised in a peaceful sheltered town, a girl is sent to a dangerous home and must uncover why her whole childhood was a lie.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: twelve-year-old protagonist · protective older sibling · younger brother · rule breaker · rebellious child · naive protagonist · responsible child · suspicious peer · supportive friend

Relationships labels: siblings · parent-child · adoptive family · biological family · found family · friendship · caretaking · community bonds · trust and betrayal

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1445

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A Year Without Autumn

Liz Kessler · 2011

A girl’s ordinary summer visit becomes a race through time when she lands one year ahead and finds her best friend’s life changed.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: twelve-year-old protagonist · outgoing best friend · quiet protagonist · ordinary girls · maturing protagonist · smart protagonist

Relationships labels: female friendship · best friends · family bonds · parent-child tensions · sibling relationship · friendship strain · community ties

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1467

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Jake Ransom and the Skull King's Shadow

James Rollins · 2009 · Jake Ransom

A boy and his sister follow clues from their missing archaeologist parents into a hidden world of ancient cultures, dinosaurs, and danger.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young hero · bookish boy · curious protagonist · smart kid · bullied outsider · popular sister · cheerleader sister · adventurous sibling pair · new friends · flawed characters · resourceful child

Relationships labels: sibling bond · missing parents · family loss · friendship · group teamwork · rivalry

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1468

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