Book Reviews of Among the Hidden (Shadow Children, Bk 1)

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

My daughter loved this book. She can't wait to read the next books in this series.

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.

LOVED this book. It kept me interested until the very end! All of the other books were amazing to this series as well.

I thought this was a really good book. I could not put it down and read it in one night.

Very interesting. A real page turner.

Excellent story - for late elementary to adults.

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.

my granddaughter (age 11) really enjoyed this book.

This book kept me hooked until the end and I couldn't wait to read the rest of the series.

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.

Enjoyable book!

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.

exciting

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

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!

from 10 yr old son- Very thrilling book. Full of cliffhanging chapters. You don't know what might happen next.

Really interesting book! A quick read, great for teens and adults both.

Wonderful book. Scary that this could one day happen in our society.

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?

An excelant book.
With even better follow ups.

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

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