Among the Hidden (Shadow Children #1)

Reader reviewed by Chloe

I loved this book. It is filled with suspense and is really thrilling. Once I started reading it in fourth grade I didn't want to put it down. This book is about a boy named Luke Garner who is an illegal third child. He takes a "wild"adventure and breaks the rules. When you start reading it, you will be on the edge of your seat with excitement. If I were you I would pick up this book and read it!!!!!!! 

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 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 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 erika

my history teacher began to read this book and i liked it so much that i checked it out from the library and as i finished it i looked for more books on this author. amazing how many great books she's written but this book was the beginning of 7 that the author wrote and it began in suspense and ended in it. i really like the main character who goes by the name of luke garner but changes it to go to a school. he's a third child and since this book is in the future, having more than 2 kids is illegal. once luke befriends a girl named jen, they begin a quest to be freed. it ends sadly but i won't spoil the ending by saying what occured, but this book is interesting and once you read it you'll want to read more! and don't worry there are 7 more books with the continue of the third children wanting to be free! this is a great book and i recommend it for people who love reading and for those who don't b/c once you read the first sentence you won't want to let go of the book!

Reader reviewed by Evening39

Among the Hidden is a page turner! I read this novel before I taught it in one day! Luke is so cloistered by his family to the point where he is unhappy! The real action is when he finds out that there are other children like himself. This book gives the insight into population control and what a country will do to keep the masses under! The ending was awful and not too far from the truth! I believe that this book should be distributed to every government official in places such as China, Cambodia and other countries who dictate to people how many children they can and cannot have!