Among the Hidden (Shadow Children #1)

 (487 customer reviews)

If you want to start reading a good book series, you may want to grab this book. This is the first of several books. In this one, you get all of the background information.

Luke is a third child in a futuristic society, where families are only allowed to have two children. His parents hide him away and he knows a quiet family life, one in which he is made to hide a lot and keep quiet, so that the population police will not know that he exists. It is a lonely life for Luke, who wishes he could go outside and play, like his brothers do, and also go to school, to leave the house and go anywhere.

When the land behind their farm is developed into a neighborhood, Luke is shocked to meet another child like him, Jen. She tells him all about other "shadow children" who live hidden away from the rest of society. When Jen tells him about a big rally that she's organizing to support the hidden children, will Luke risk his life by going to it? Does he trust his new...Read more

Among the Hidden was a great book and an absoulute page turner! I loved the book and was unable to put it down for 2 days. I don't know how to explain the book.With Luke's farm and very few appliences you think you are looking at a hard life from the past but when he meets Jen it is like a whole new world opens for him. Being hidden seems hopeless for Luke until he sees Jen's view. She may not be allowed to be 'FREE' but she still knows a way to make a good life out of captivity. Luke gets a daring chance to make history with Jen, but will he go? Or will he stay at home like a coward, safe, but coward? You have to read the book to find out, but once you do, trust me, you won't regret it. I am now searching for another novel by Haddix, and praying it is as good! :)

I read this book today and for the first time am suggesting that prents and teachers think carefully and preread this book before deciding to use it with children younger than 12. The themes are well worth discussing but my 9 year old reads Dickens yet this is inappropriate for her based on content. Among the themes raised by the book are the following:infanticide, mass murder, totalitarian government, subterfuge, and complete isolation . This was recommended as a candidate for a youth book club and will not be used for the suggested age range as the content while worthy of consideration is not appropriate for 9 or 10 year olds unable to comprehend the enormity of the issues raised in the book. Many contemporary educators and librarians fail to look beyond the readability of a text and ask the harder questions about content and age appropriate themes-I urge you to do so before jumping on the bandwagon and sharing this well written yet fairly adult book with those too young to...Read more