my granddaughter (age 11) really enjoyed this book.

Penny B. - Aurora, NE wrote on 6/18/2009...
This book kept me hooked until the end and I couldn't wait to read the rest of the series.

Stephanie S. (
skywriter319) - Swarthmore, PA wrote on 12/9/2008...
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.

Tonya T. (
tonya) - PA wrote on 4/18/2007...
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
(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.

Pat R. (
cats16) wrote on 1/7/2007...
Good series
Luke is a forbidden third child. He meets Jen, another forbidden child, who has a dangerous plan.
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