Among the Hidden

Among the Hidden

Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix

ISBN: 0689824750

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, 2000

Age: 9-12

Genre: Science Fiction

Summary: Born a third child during a time when having more than two children is illegal and punishable by death, Luke Garner has spent his entire 12 years of life in hiding.  He has never been in a car, been to a store or met anyone outside his own family.  When the woods bordering their farm are torn down and turned into a high scale neighborhood, Luke can no longer even leave his room in the attic for fear of being seen.  One day, while peering out the air vents in the attic, Luke notices movement in a house that should be empty in the new neighborhood.  Curious, he works up the courage to leave his house and find out who is hiding in the other house.  He finds Jen, another third child, who is different.  She is outgoing and determined to change the world and free all the shadow children, but not all goes as planned and Luke ends up taking on a fake identity after tragedy occurs. 

Read A-likes: Among the Imposters; Among the Betrayed; Among the Barons; Among the Enemy; Among the Free; and Among the Brave.

Personal Thoughts: This book was recommended to me, and after hearing a fellow student talk about it I was intrigued enough to read it.  I knew what the general story line was, but not any of the specifics.  It was a good book, well written and gripping enough to keep me from putting it down before finishing it.  I was shocked by what happened to Jen, but am excited to find the rest of the books to find out what happens with Luke, the other shadow children and the population law.  This book is a different read, and I would be careful to what kids I would suggest it, but it certainly makes the reader think.  This is the first book in the Shadow Children series.