Helpful Score: 6
Back in high school, I picked this book from my younger sisters stack of library picks because I was desperate for reading material. The character Luke made a big impression on me. I felt so bad for him; I teared up at some points. The children in the series all face difficult decisions and dangerous situations, which makes for a compelling read. After reading this, I searched out the rest of the Shadow Children Series and anything else Haddix had written. Of the non-series books I like "Running Out of Time" the best.
Helpful Score: 5
Luke has two older brothers, Matthew and Mark, which makes him a third child, which also makes him illegal. By law he should never have been born, by law he should be dead. So he hides on his family's farm in constant fear that someday, someone will find him.
However, it is he who finds someone.
When the government takes away the forest that surrounds his house, cuts down all the trees, and builds dozons of new houses, Luke must remain in his attic bedroom for what seems like is going to be the rest of his life!
He takes to looking out a small window in his attic at all the houses and their people. He knows that each house can have no more than four people living in them: a father, a mother, two children... legally, that is how it should be.
Then he sees a fifth face in the window of one of the houses. Could it be? Could it actually be another third child like himself? Luke must find out and soon meets daring, adventurous Jen Talbot... a friend that will change his life forever.
Please note that it is KEY to the plot to read these books in order, as where each book ends the next book begins.
#1: Among the Hidden*
#2: Among the Impostors
#3: Among the Betrayed
#4: Among the Barons
#5: Among the Brave
#6: Among the Enemy
#7: Among the Free
However, it is he who finds someone.
When the government takes away the forest that surrounds his house, cuts down all the trees, and builds dozons of new houses, Luke must remain in his attic bedroom for what seems like is going to be the rest of his life!
He takes to looking out a small window in his attic at all the houses and their people. He knows that each house can have no more than four people living in them: a father, a mother, two children... legally, that is how it should be.
Then he sees a fifth face in the window of one of the houses. Could it be? Could it actually be another third child like himself? Luke must find out and soon meets daring, adventurous Jen Talbot... a friend that will change his life forever.
Please note that it is KEY to the plot to read these books in order, as where each book ends the next book begins.
#1: Among the Hidden*
#2: Among the Impostors
#3: Among the Betrayed
#4: Among the Barons
#5: Among the Brave
#6: Among the Enemy
#7: Among the Free
Helpful Score: 3
My daughter loved this book. She can't wait to read the next books in this series.
Helpful Score: 3
Excellent story - for late elementary to adults.
Helpful Score: 2
First book in the Shadow Children sequence. "REaders wil be captivated by Luke's predicament and his reactions to it". - School Library Journal
"A chilling and intelligent novel" - Kirkius
"A chilling and intelligent novel" - Kirkius
Helpful Score: 2
Very interesting. A real page turner.
Helpful Score: 2
I thought this was a really good book. I could not put it down and read it in one night.
Helpful Score: 2
I ordered this book to see if it was something that my seventh graders would enjoy. It is a wonderful, clean novel. I have several students who have read it and begged me to buy the sequels. Highly recommend!
Helpful Score: 1
Among the Hidden is a book that I've been meaning to read for almost 20 years. And yes, that makes me feel very, very old.
In another classic YA dystopian novel, Haddix does what she does best: creates a world that is similar to our current reality, but with a twist. In this case, Among the Hidden follows Luke, a third child that has spent his entire life in hiding. His parents broke a government population control act to have him, and to keep him safe, he has no identity. He doesn't go to school, and has never seen another human other than his immediate family members.
His farming family lives in constant struggle to survive, as the nation fights to overcome famine and food shortages that necessitated the population cap 15 years ago. Their meager existance is further threatened by a new government-mandated housing development that goes up next to Luke's family farm, putting him at an even higher risk of discovery. He can no longer go outside, go into rooms with windows or even eat meals at the table with his family. However, these new neighbors also unexpectedly open the door to a new view of the world for Luke. Because he soon discovers by watching his neighbors' windows that he is not the only shadow child in town....
I loved this book and can't wait to share it with my kids in a few years. The writing is excellent, building tension at an appropriate age level and insinuating violence rather than making it blatant. At only 150 pages, it's a very fast read that is intended for young adults, but that adult readers of dystopian literature should greatly enjoy. There's a lot of food for thought contained in this slim volume. My only regret is that I waited so long to read it. I look forward to exploring the other four books of the series in the near future.
In another classic YA dystopian novel, Haddix does what she does best: creates a world that is similar to our current reality, but with a twist. In this case, Among the Hidden follows Luke, a third child that has spent his entire life in hiding. His parents broke a government population control act to have him, and to keep him safe, he has no identity. He doesn't go to school, and has never seen another human other than his immediate family members.
His farming family lives in constant struggle to survive, as the nation fights to overcome famine and food shortages that necessitated the population cap 15 years ago. Their meager existance is further threatened by a new government-mandated housing development that goes up next to Luke's family farm, putting him at an even higher risk of discovery. He can no longer go outside, go into rooms with windows or even eat meals at the table with his family. However, these new neighbors also unexpectedly open the door to a new view of the world for Luke. Because he soon discovers by watching his neighbors' windows that he is not the only shadow child in town....
I loved this book and can't wait to share it with my kids in a few years. The writing is excellent, building tension at an appropriate age level and insinuating violence rather than making it blatant. At only 150 pages, it's a very fast read that is intended for young adults, but that adult readers of dystopian literature should greatly enjoy. There's a lot of food for thought contained in this slim volume. My only regret is that I waited so long to read it. I look forward to exploring the other four books of the series in the near future.
Helpful Score: 1
If you liked the Hunger Games, then you will love this series by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Similar to the Games, Shadow Children is a series of books set in the future that talk about what could happen if our government imposes new (and very limiting) laws on society. These books are a quick read and can be enjoyed by all different ages. I would highly recommend reading them!!
Trisha W. (trishalynn0708) -
Helpful Score: 1
LOVED this book. It kept me interested until the very end! All of the other books were amazing to this series as well.
Helpful Score: 1
This story surprised me with its concept of a totalitarian government taking over the lives and choices of its citizens, although the restrictions applied to everybody, the affluent citizens had more flexibility and a wide range of privileges.
The regulations on population control were hard to accept, to be mandated to have only two children is a concept that in our democratic society is hard to envision.
It reminded me a bit of The Giver in the sense that a set parents was only allowed to have two children. In this very regimented and controlled society a third child was considered illegal and said child if discovered would be put to death. This story of Luke, a third child who lives among the hidden and in the shadows of his own house.
The plot has adventure, suspense, danger, contrasting role models and loss. The characters possess courage and cowardice, hope and lack of it, very contrasting.
This is also the story of two very different hidden children, a farmer boy and a girl born to privilege, that although grow in very separate social scales, have that one thing in common that makes them unite and form a friendship that makes them risk being discovered, they are both a third child.
My 11yr. old son read it before me and he found it very interesting. He recommended it to me and I'm glad I read it.
The regulations on population control were hard to accept, to be mandated to have only two children is a concept that in our democratic society is hard to envision.
It reminded me a bit of The Giver in the sense that a set parents was only allowed to have two children. In this very regimented and controlled society a third child was considered illegal and said child if discovered would be put to death. This story of Luke, a third child who lives among the hidden and in the shadows of his own house.
The plot has adventure, suspense, danger, contrasting role models and loss. The characters possess courage and cowardice, hope and lack of it, very contrasting.
This is also the story of two very different hidden children, a farmer boy and a girl born to privilege, that although grow in very separate social scales, have that one thing in common that makes them unite and form a friendship that makes them risk being discovered, they are both a third child.
My 11yr. old son read it before me and he found it very interesting. He recommended it to me and I'm glad I read it.
Stephanie M. (stephanie932) reviewed Among the Hidden (Shadow Children, Bk 1) on + 219 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Awesome book in an awesome series!!
Luke has never been to school. He's never had a birthday party, or gone to a friend's house for an overnight. In fact, Luke has never had a friend.
Luke is one of the shadow children, a third child forbidden by the Population Police. He's lived his entire life in hiding, and now, with a new housing development replacing the woods next to his family's farm, he is no longer even allowed to go outside.
Then, one day Luke sees a girl's face in the window of a house where he knows two other children already live. Finally, he's met a shadow child like himself. Jen is willing to risk everything to come out of the shadows -- does Luke dare to become involved in her dangerous plan? Can he afford not to?
Luke has never been to school. He's never had a birthday party, or gone to a friend's house for an overnight. In fact, Luke has never had a friend.
Luke is one of the shadow children, a third child forbidden by the Population Police. He's lived his entire life in hiding, and now, with a new housing development replacing the woods next to his family's farm, he is no longer even allowed to go outside.
Then, one day Luke sees a girl's face in the window of a house where he knows two other children already live. Finally, he's met a shadow child like himself. Jen is willing to risk everything to come out of the shadows -- does Luke dare to become involved in her dangerous plan? Can he afford not to?
Shannon M. (confuzzledbooks) reviewed Among the Hidden (Shadow Children, Bk 1) on + 486 more book reviews
Taking place in the future, the government has issued a law that couples can only have two children. But families like Luke's, who is a third child, have decided not to follow the law. Because he is illegal, Luke has hidden all his life. Distant family members don't know he even exists. He has never been to school or met children other than his brothers.
All that changes when a new family moves in next door. Luke notices that when every one in that family leaves, there is a face in the window, and he wonders if they have a hidden child just like him.
I loved this book. It reminds me a little of The Gift by Lois Lowery. It was thrilling, and I never knew what was going to happen next. The way it grabs you and hooks you in by the end, you just have to read the others in the series to see what happens.
All that changes when a new family moves in next door. Luke notices that when every one in that family leaves, there is a face in the window, and he wonders if they have a hidden child just like him.
I loved this book. It reminds me a little of The Gift by Lois Lowery. It was thrilling, and I never knew what was going to happen next. The way it grabs you and hooks you in by the end, you just have to read the others in the series to see what happens.
The first in a series of seven dystopian novels aimed at tween readers about a totalitarian society that has implemented a two-child policy in response to a famine. The story is told from the viewpoint of Luke, a hidden third child. One of the shadow children. While his parents are farmers, a number of new houses are built nearby for a privileged class and Matthew soon discovers that one of the new families has a shadow child as well.
As with most dystopian novels the sense of foreboding heavily affects the story-line but it is overcome in spots by the natural optimism of children. Yet, this reader, as a sadder but wiser adult felt a sense of disaster looming but I was still surprised by the outcomes.
At 153 pages this story moves right along and is a gripping read and while there could have been more character development in spots, what was there really was sufficient for the story as told. I look forward to reading the next installment in the series.
As with most dystopian novels the sense of foreboding heavily affects the story-line but it is overcome in spots by the natural optimism of children. Yet, this reader, as a sadder but wiser adult felt a sense of disaster looming but I was still surprised by the outcomes.
At 153 pages this story moves right along and is a gripping read and while there could have been more character development in spots, what was there really was sufficient for the story as told. I look forward to reading the next installment in the series.
** SPOILER ALERT ** SPOILER ALERT ** SPOILER ALERT **
** PLEASE STOP READING IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW **
** SERIOUSLY ** SERIOUSLY ** SERIOUSLY ** SERIOUSLY **
** SPOILER AHEAD ** SPOILER AHEAD ** SPOILER AHEAD **
I am including a spoiler, because this story deals with a character's death at the hands of the government. According to the publisher, this book is suitable for grades 5 - 8. the murder is not grotesque and we only hear about it from a third person point of view, after the fact. But it is still something that parents should be aware of.
Luke Garner is a third child, which is forbidden by the government. As a shadow child, Luke is restricted to the confines of his home. He used to be able to run free in his own backyard, until the government took over the adjacent woods in an act of imminent domain. Now he is restricted to the attic. His house is surrounded by new homes, each housing a possible witness that may be willing to turn his family in to the Population Police; which means death.
I love this series! The are very well written and make the reader think. I couldn't wait to read the next one.
** SPOILER ALERT ** SPOILER ALERT ** SPOILER ALERT **
** PLEASE STOP READING IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW **
** SERIOUSLY ** SERIOUSLY ** SERIOUSLY ** SERIOUSLY **
** SPOILER AHEAD ** SPOILER AHEAD ** SPOILER AHEAD **
** PLEASE STOP READING IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW **
** SERIOUSLY ** SERIOUSLY ** SERIOUSLY ** SERIOUSLY **
** SPOILER AHEAD ** SPOILER AHEAD ** SPOILER AHEAD **
I am including a spoiler, because this story deals with a character's death at the hands of the government. According to the publisher, this book is suitable for grades 5 - 8. the murder is not grotesque and we only hear about it from a third person point of view, after the fact. But it is still something that parents should be aware of.
Luke Garner is a third child, which is forbidden by the government. As a shadow child, Luke is restricted to the confines of his home. He used to be able to run free in his own backyard, until the government took over the adjacent woods in an act of imminent domain. Now he is restricted to the attic. His house is surrounded by new homes, each housing a possible witness that may be willing to turn his family in to the Population Police; which means death.
I love this series! The are very well written and make the reader think. I couldn't wait to read the next one.
** SPOILER ALERT ** SPOILER ALERT ** SPOILER ALERT **
** PLEASE STOP READING IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW **
** SERIOUSLY ** SERIOUSLY ** SERIOUSLY ** SERIOUSLY **
** SPOILER AHEAD ** SPOILER AHEAD ** SPOILER AHEAD **
Interesting concept, writing is okay. I guess you're supposed to read Book 2 of this series. I felt it ended with any resolution, so could have been better and still have interested reader in reading Book 2.
Great Book!!!
My son loved this book. This is the first book in a series of seven. I would recommend it for older kids around 14 yrs. old rather than really young ones as there are some more mature themes regarding death. Look forward to the rest.
I really liked this book. I felt really bad for the main character Luke, and found myself getting angry with his parents. They were all in a predicament that they just had to live with and couldn't find a way out. I was happy for Luke when he found Jen and it was interesting how she dealt with the same problem and was given more liberties than Luke. This book deals with the control of government and socioeconomic injustice and I don't feel like the characters win in the end, unfortunately. This book is for young readers, but I enjoyed it a lot. I read it all in one night, so it's an easy read. The ending was ok, I guess I wanted something more conclusive. I highly recommend.
A great thought provoking book for any age!
My 12 year old son, who is a home schooler, enjoyed reading this book :)
This book kept me hooked until the end and I couldn't wait to read the rest of the series.
Enjoyable book!
Shannon M. (confuzzledbooks) reviewed Among the Hidden (Shadow Children, Bk 1) on + 486 more book reviews
Taking place in the future, the government has issued a law that couples can only have two children. But families like Luke's, who is a third child, have decided not to follow the law. Because he is illegal, Luke has hidden all his life. Distant family members don't know he even exists. He has never been to school or met children other than his brothers.
All that changes when a new family moves in next door. Luke notices that when every one in that family leaves, there is a face in the window, and he wonders if they have a hidden child just like him.
I loved this book. It reminds me a little of The Gift by Lois Lowery. It was thrilling, and I never knew what was going to happen next. The way it grabs you and hooks you in by the end, you just have to read the others in the series to see what happens.
All that changes when a new family moves in next door. Luke notices that when every one in that family leaves, there is a face in the window, and he wonders if they have a hidden child just like him.
I loved this book. It reminds me a little of The Gift by Lois Lowery. It was thrilling, and I never knew what was going to happen next. The way it grabs you and hooks you in by the end, you just have to read the others in the series to see what happens.
Samantha C. (leonas-mom) reviewed Among the Hidden (Shadow Children, Bk 1) on + 95 more book reviews
Wonderful book. Scary that this could one day happen in our society.
exciting
Shadow Children. Luke has never been to school. He's never had a birthday party, or gone to a friends house for the night. In fact, Luke has never had a friend. Luke is one of the shadow children, a third child forbidden by the Population Police. He's lived his entire life in hiding, and now, with a new housing development replacing the woods next to his family's farm, he is no longer even allowed to go outside. Then, one day Luke sees a girl's face in the window of a house where he knows two other children already live. Finally, he's met a shadow child like himself. Jen is willing to risk everything to come out of the shadows--does Luke dare to become involved in her dangerous plan? Can he afford not to? Readers will be captivated.....BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS
from 10 yr old son- Very thrilling book. Full of cliffhanging chapters. You don't know what might happen next.
Stephanie S. (skywriter319) -
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 mustn't 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 doesn't exist. His world is his family's 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.
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 doesn't exist. His world is his family's 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.
Among the Hidden is the first of the Shadow Children books. I love it. It is a fast read and though the setting is definitely not suburban America, the characters are relatable. (My 11 year old son likes it and that says something.)
It's a bit of a "heavy" read, not at all light-hearted. It is recommended for children 9-11, though not every child will be emotionally mature enough for this story line.
I made the mistake of letting my aunt with Alzheimer's read the book. She spent the day hiding from the population police, convinced she was being hunted.
Spoiler alert.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER One of the main characters is killed. It ends with a cliff hanger. I apologize for the spoiler. But as a parent, I would want to know. SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
It's a bit of a "heavy" read, not at all light-hearted. It is recommended for children 9-11, though not every child will be emotionally mature enough for this story line.
I made the mistake of letting my aunt with Alzheimer's read the book. She spent the day hiding from the population police, convinced she was being hunted.
Spoiler alert.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER One of the main characters is killed. It ends with a cliff hanger. I apologize for the spoiler. But as a parent, I would want to know. SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
Really interesting read. I didnt realize it wass for 8-12 year olds until I received it in the mail but I actually enjoyed it!
my granddaughter (age 11) really enjoyed this book.
Good series
Really interesting book! A quick read, great for teens and adults both.
Tess M. (duplica123) -
This author always has an interesting view on things. Her book "running out of time" was a great story which I read back in grade school. When the suspense/horror film "the Village" came out I wondered if she got any credit for coming up with the idea first.
In this, "Among the Hidden," I felt like the outline of the book was good, but the story itself felt unfinished. The idea of a government creating a law against more than two children is real - in the example of China and the one child law. I wanted to see what this author could do with an idea that isn't science fiction any more.
Luke, a "shadow child" - an illegal third child, is a strange character because we just have to take for granted that he could live for twelve years completely hidden from everyone else outside his family. He lives completely separated from the rest of the world and when houses begin being built close to his home he spends almost a year without ever leaving his home or his attic room. That in itself is hard to believe. Throw in the strange hierarchy of rich "Barons" and poor farmers; the world seems too unbalanced to have lasted so long. After finishing it, I felt that "Among the Hidden" needed more flesh to make the story believable. The whole book felt like it was just the beginning of a good idea.
Luckily, it is just the first in a series of books about these so-called Shadow Children. I have not yet read any others, but I hope they do make the world more believable.
Read this if you are a fan of this author or a fan of YA distopias.
In this, "Among the Hidden," I felt like the outline of the book was good, but the story itself felt unfinished. The idea of a government creating a law against more than two children is real - in the example of China and the one child law. I wanted to see what this author could do with an idea that isn't science fiction any more.
Luke, a "shadow child" - an illegal third child, is a strange character because we just have to take for granted that he could live for twelve years completely hidden from everyone else outside his family. He lives completely separated from the rest of the world and when houses begin being built close to his home he spends almost a year without ever leaving his home or his attic room. That in itself is hard to believe. Throw in the strange hierarchy of rich "Barons" and poor farmers; the world seems too unbalanced to have lasted so long. After finishing it, I felt that "Among the Hidden" needed more flesh to make the story believable. The whole book felt like it was just the beginning of a good idea.
Luckily, it is just the first in a series of books about these so-called Shadow Children. I have not yet read any others, but I hope they do make the world more believable.
Read this if you are a fan of this author or a fan of YA distopias.
great book for kids ages 8-12...story of a boy named Luke who has never been to school,never been to a birthday party or gone to a friend's house...In fact he's never had a friend...Luke is one of the Shadow Children, a third child forbidden by the Population Police
story of a boy named Luke who lives in hiding because his family has more children than the law allows.
written for young adults - powerful and disturbing
written for young adults - powerful and disturbing
Luke has never been to school. He's never had a birthday party, or gone to a friend's house for an overnight. In fact, Luke has never had a friend.
Luke is one of the shadow children, a third child forbidden by the Population Police. He's lived his entire life in hiding, and now, with a new housing development replacing the woods next to his family's farm, he is no longer even allowed to go outside.
Then, one day Luke sees a girl's face in the window of a house where he knows two other children already live. Finally, he's met a shadow child like himself. Jen is willing to risk everything to come out of the shadows-does Luke dare to become involved in her dangerous plan? Can he afford not to?
Luke is one of the shadow children, a third child forbidden by the Population Police. He's lived his entire life in hiding, and now, with a new housing development replacing the woods next to his family's farm, he is no longer even allowed to go outside.
Then, one day Luke sees a girl's face in the window of a house where he knows two other children already live. Finally, he's met a shadow child like himself. Jen is willing to risk everything to come out of the shadows-does Luke dare to become involved in her dangerous plan? Can he afford not to?
Excellent first book in the series. My 8 year old Grandson is now reading them.
An excelant book.
With even better follow ups.
With even better follow ups.
Celia H. (DustBunniesAndBooks) reviewed Among the Hidden (Shadow Children, Bk 1) on + 144 more book reviews
Luke is a forbidden third child. He meets Jen, another forbidden child, who has a dangerous plan.
(From back of book) Luke has never been to school, never had a birthday party or gone to a friend's house. Luke is one of the shadow children, a third child forbidden by the Population Police.
Good series to keep one interested.
