Among the Hidden (Shadow Children #1)

Reader reviewed by Elizabeth

This book is about a boy who hides from the government because of the population law.  This law doesn't let adults have more than two kids.  If an adult has three, four or even five children and gets caught by the government the kid will get killed.

Reader reviewed by Digby

I loved this book! My librarian, Mrs. Cummings, read it to us over a matter of weeks. I loved it so much, the day after she finished reading it to us, i ran to the library to see if it was alvailable, but another Haddix-Loving fan had already picked it up.

I give this book 5 stars easily; it deserves 10!!!

Reader reviewed by Mrs. Cummings

I am a librarian. I just read this book to a class of 5th graders, and we all loved it. The idea was so original, and Haddix really knows how to build suspense. The ending was a surprise. Definitely an original book.

I became curious after reading this book about China's One Child Policy. I plan to research that to find out more.

Reader reviewed by Jacqueline

Among the Hidden is an excellent book for upper elementary and middle school students (it is for grades 5-8). The story is set in modern times in an unnamed country where families are only allowed to have two children. Luke is a third child and he has to stay in hiding in order to avoid death. He meets Jen, another third child, who plans to stage a rally at the capitol for the right of third children to live. If you like suspenseful stories and being surprised, you won't want to miss this one! If you liked other books by this author,City of Ember, the books by Caroline B. Cooney, or the Giver, you will like this book.

Reader reviewed by Abby

Among the Hidden is the First book in the Shadow Children series. Luke is a 3rd child trapped in his house for all of his life, well so he thought. Luke grew up on an isolated farm. When the government takes down the woods hiding the house, Luke can't even go near windows. While up in his attick, looking out his vent to the outside world, he sees a child. Home alone, does he go out and risk his life to find out who they were? or does he stay safe in his attick wondering? Read Among the Hidden to find the answer.

Reader reviewed by Allie

This book was okay. It was pretty actiony and exciting. It wasn't my favorite in this series though. I was a little confused too. You definatly have to read this series though it is amazing!! I love Haddix's books they are all good. The end of this book was sad i thought!! I even cried!! but...READ THIS BOOK

Reader reviewed by Jennie

Luke lives on a farm. He used to be able to play in the back yard, but that changed when the government cut down all the trees. Luke is an illegal third child, so he has to hide in the house. It has been like this since before he was born. The government only allows two children per family. Luke thinks he is the only third child. But that all changes when the people next door move in and he thinks he sees someone, after he watched everyone leave the house.

Reader reviewed by lilwolfmisty

I read this book a couple of years ago. It is one of those that sticks with you, because it is always in the back of your mind what if the government gains too much power, and we lose our essential freedoms. Hopefully it causes the teens who read it to really think about what our world would be like if we lost our freedom. This book was well written, understandable, and it kept me on the edge of my seat to the very end.

Reader reviewed by gabby

Luke thinks that all children have to hide. He thinks that when he gets older like his two brothers, Matthew and Mark, he'll be able to play, go to school, and stop hiding, like them. What he does'nt know is that 3rd children have to stay hidden. That it's illegal to have more than two children. The government are trying to find all the 3rd children, so Luke constantly has to hide, not to go near windows, crawl around the house, and not go outside. All these rules constrict Luke, and he is determined to do something, although he has reason to be nervous. He hasn't met anyone other than his immediate family, as his parents can't even reveal his existance to other family members. But when some Barons move in next door, he meets another of the hidden, Jen. Jen introduces alot things Luke hasn't thought of, not to mention her being outgoing and daring, and ready to do anything to gain her freedom. Even after a tragic event, Jen has still taught Luke something...give me liberty, or give me death.

Reader reviewed by Stephanie

After the Government purchases the woods behind the Garners house from them to build mansions, twelve-year-old Luke is forced to remain inside and away from windows. He looks on with envy as his older brothers complain about going to school and perform outdoor chores on the Garners farm, and yet he mustnt complain, because they are keeping him hidden for his own safety.

Luke Garner is a third child, one of the Shadow Children, illegal under the Population Law. To the rest of the world except his immediate family, he doesnt exist. His world is his familys farm, and, after the taking away of their forest, his house.
Then one day, in the window of one of the mansions in his backyard, he spies the face of a young girl in a house he knows already has two children. Luke soon strikes up a friendship with Jenny, another illegal third child.

Unlike Luke, however, Jenny is full of strength and ideas. She plans to gather a group of Shadow Children, found from their online chat board, and march to the White House. She invites Luke along, but he is afraid. Does he choose to stand up for his own rights or to save himself for perhaps a better future?

AMONG THE HIDDEN marks the beginning of a startling new series by acclaimed author Margeret Peterson Haddix. Anyone who enjoys dystopian books should pick up this one.