Stephanie S. (skywriter319) - , reviewed on 4/8/2009 + 784 more book reviews

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.

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