Among the Hidden

Title: Among the Hidden
Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Author Study

     This is the first book in a series by Margaret Peterson Haddix about a boy in a futuristic society where there are strict Population Laws only allowing two children per family.  Luke is a third child which is also referred to as a "shadow child" because he must live in hiding for fear that the Government would punish him and his family for his existence.  Luke's family is a poor farming family that barley scrapes by.  However, living on a farm has allowed him to be adventurous outside like a normal child because of the woods surrounding his house.  Until the day that all the trees are cut down to make room for new large mansions for "Barons."  Barons are very wealthy people and often work for the Government.  As soon as the workers start to cut down the trees, Luke is forced to retreat to his attic, where he must stay indefinitely to keep hidden.  His family is very strict on what Luke can do because they hold big fears that the Government has extreme intelligences that could find out about their secret third child.  I really enjoyed this book and I think upper elementary students will as well.  The reader is really able to connect with the main character and feel the excitement and fear of his life of hiding.  One day, after spending hours observing the Baron houses, he finds evidence that another third child might life in one.  He risks his life out of boredom to find his new and only friend, Jen.  Jen leads a completely different lifestyle as a "shadow child," where her rich parents can sneak her out shopping, she is not afraid to use the computer, and she is very active in planning a revolution to take down the Population Police.  Jen tries to convince Luke to go with her and other "shadow children" to a rally asking for freedom.  However, when Luke is unable to go with, he is left alone after a great tragedy.  This book is written well and would really challenge students to imagine a different lifestyle like that of a third child.  It is exciting and unable to put down, I would encourage this to all upper elementary students to read the thrilling series.