Among the Hidden (Shadow Children, #1) by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Among the Hidden (Shadow Children, #1) Reviews

• 
  Jey

  I am adding this book as a warning. The first book and a half are very interesting and the plot is fascinating. DO NOT LET YOUR CHILDREN READ THESE BOOKS!! Somewhere in the second book, it begins to get quite violent. By the fourth or fifth book, there is holocaust-type violence, children killing in cold blood, and outrageous examples of treachery and hate. These books are dangerous, as the first one is so good. Please use caution when you give your children books to read. I learned the hard way to read all of a series before you recommend them whole-heartedly to a child.
  
  Post Script: I'm amazed at all the responses I got to this review. When I wrote it, 13 years ago, my older kids were just learning to read and my youngest kids were babies. I was teaching middle schoolers at a private school in a very conservative town and I was thinking hard about what was "appropriate" for a child to read or not. I had really strong opinions at the time.
  My strong opinions have swung far in the opposite direction since then. If a child is interested in a book like this, or even something else, have at it! I loved the suggestion from one mom about reading the book together with their child. Fabulous!
  The only point to be made here now is that the first book in the series wasn't as violent, but then the series gets much more intense, so if your child is sensitive (like I was as a kid), you might pay attention if they need guidance or to be told it's okay to put down a book or maybe just an extra hug?
  Read on! Jey
• 
  Kelly H. (Maybedog)

  The issue faced by the characters in the book, that of overpopulation and what to do about it, is an important one, and deserves to have a children's book written about it. The possibility that we will one day be limited to two children or fewer per family, and people will undergo forced sterilization, is not so unlikely. China already has strict population control laws (one child) with heavy fines for violators.
  
  However the author simplifies the issue to a simple black and white set of extremes. She fails to fully examine the issue of overpopulation. In the book, the need for population leveling is solely due to food shortages. The characters assert that it's mostly due to mismanagement by the government that the famine happened at all. In fact, everything bad appears to be the fault of the controlling, fascist, yet inept government. Even in the end, the author doesn't appear to grasp the reality of the effect of our population explosion: Food is not the only issue. Others include, "Where will we put all the waste from these people? How will there be enough drinking water? How will we have enough energy to run the machines we need to support our society? Where will resources come from to create things like clothes, furniture, houses, cars? How do we deal with all the pollution this manufacturing brings with that many more people? And how will we survive when we've cut down all the trees and there is no oxygen being produced?
  
  The simple answer given in the book seems to be "we could police ourselves--some people could have more kids if others had fewer". And who does that policing? We certainly aren't doing it now. What are realistic ways we can address this population issue?
  
  The author also appears to be showing how fascist and evil the government is by showing how they outlawed junk food and even meat. Vegetarians are truly the evil of the future. ;) This is an interesting absurdity in that more calories are contained in fat than in anything else, so if food were scarce, it would make more sense to make food very high in fat.
  
  One excellent point the author does assert is that those who make the laws often don't follow them. Exceptions are made when it is convenient for those in power. This is an excellent point and I would have liked this to be expanded a bit more. Especially since those in power (the U.S. right now) currently use up many times more resources per person than the non-powerful (3rd world countries). The barons in the book, by excepting themselves from the rules, are causing even greater harm. Yet, even that point isn't explained, just inferred.
  
  Perhaps the simplicity is necessary for a children's story, and yet, the heaviness of the topic and the tragedy of the plot, are all mature enough themes that any reader of the book should be able to handle the additional complexity. The author also only shows one side of the story: that of the victims of an extremist, totalitarian government who dealt inappropriately with a very real disaster.
  
  What I would have liked to have seen would have been an afterword that addressed some of these issues on a level kids could understand. Just presenting the ideas in a fictional context may be too confusing. Other award-winning children's books that either deal with confusing, heavy issues, or take place in other mystifying eras, have afterwards for more information. I think such a beast would help this book tremendously. As it is, I am curious to know what children reading this book come away with thinking: Is overpopulation bad? Or is the government bad and we don't really need to worry about overpopulation? Because I fear the latter is the message children will walk away with after reading this novel, I have to be very wary about recommending this book.
• 
  Debbie W.

  Why I chose to read this book:
  1. when one of my grandsons was in Grade 6, he told me about this book that his teacher was reading aloud to the class. His enthusiasm encouraged me to add it to my WTR list;
  2. I found a copy at a thrift shop; and,
  3. February 2023 is my "Books For Young and Old Alike" Month.
  
  Praises:
  1. my grandson liked it for its intensity and its mysterious factor, especially surrounding MC Luke's neighbor, Jen; and,
  2. I'm not sure if it was author
  Margaret Peterson Haddix's intention to make Luke's parents, especially his father, so unlikable, but it sure worked for me! I had a lot of empathy for Luke regarding his total lack of freedom and a lot of anger towards his parents' selfishness.
  
  Niggles:
  1. I know the author wanted to make Luke's "imprisonment" frustrating to the reader, but I thought many of his parents' decisions were ridiculously unbelievable! Many of their rules and excuses didn't jive with me, and if rewritten, could have put them in a more sympathetic light; and,
  2. the final chapter was awkwardly written, thereby making it confusing to me at first.
  
  Overall Thoughts:
  This dystopian story brings up some interesting topics that would make for some excellent discussions during a read-aloud, especially among middle school-aged children.
  
  Recommendation?
  This book is an easy and quick read. I believe it would encourage reluctant readers to take up the series.
• 
  Mariah Roze

  I'm reading this book to my students and they love it, but I found it to be very boring. I'm not sure how others feel but nothing happens in this book, especially the first half. I read through the first half of the book super bored.
• 
  Meisha (ALittleReader)

  Sooo... This is the first book I've actually had time to read in over a month, the first i read for the year 2023 and the first book of my 2023 "Reading My Friends/Families Favorite Books Each Month" reading challenge! Little bit of a rocky start to it though, unfortunately.
  I should start off by saying this wasn't inherently a bad book by any means at all. But the first third of this book was just So.👏 Freaking.👏 SLOW!👏 Ugh...*sigh.*🤦🏼‍♀️
  Literally the first 50 pages (out of 150pg book) dragged and dragged and dragged on forever. I was about ready to put the book down and DNF it before I finally hit the 2/3 mark. Only then did things start to slowly pick up. The most interesting, eventful and exciting part didn't hit until the last 30 pages of the book before it really got me page flipping.
  That being said, the last 30 pages did intrigue me enough to possibly continue on with the series. The cliff hanger at the end also has a lot to do with my consideration on possibly continuing on to see what happens next. So we will see if I do that or have the time to do that.
  I do think a part of the reason I didn't enjoy this as much as my friend did is because:
  1)this was published 25 years ago. So there were some small things like fat phobia and what not.. (I love older books. This one was just a little out of times and didn't age well.)
  2) She read it in middle school. So it has nostalgia for her and therefore continues to be a favorite. Whereas I read this for the first time as an adult and am obviously not the target audience for this book.
  I do think that this would be a fun book for middle graders who like dystopia worlds though. And I would recommend picking this one up if that's the case. I feel that this does have a lot of potential for young readers. It does have a good message and teaches what it would be like for young children that have to hide and fear for their lives as they do in some other countries. This may even be a good starter book to get kids into reading!
  Again, not a bad book. Just wasn't for me or my personal taste and I'm not the intended target audience.
  All in all, I'm still glad I read this. I did enjoy my time reading it. And You can learn so much about a person by reading their favorite books! Thank you, Z for the book recommendation. ;)
• 
  Issabelle Perry

  Oh my goodness, I was NOT expecting that ending. I'm like sad and terrified and desperate for the sequel and absolutely scared to read the sequel but kinda have to read the sequel all at the same time. I have no idea how it's possible for a book to make you feel so many things at once.😅
• 
  Selene

  Sixth Read
  November 29, 2022 - December 20, 2022
  5 Stars
  My students enjoyment of this novel never ceases to amaze me.
  
  Fifth Read:
  September 23, 2019 - November 7, 2019
  5 Stars
  I read this with my current grade 6 class and my whole class was really invested in this story. Their enjoyment of the story made me realize how much I love this book.
  
  Fourth Read:
  September 24, 2018 - November 8, 2018
  4 Stars
  I read this with my grade 6 class. I had some students really get into the story.
  
  Third Read: February 16, 2018 - February 26, 2018
  4 Stars
  I read this with my grade 6 class. They loved it.
  
  Second Read: January 12, 2018 - January 26, 2018
  4 Stars
  I read this with one of my grade 6 classes. They loved it.
  
  First Read: In elementary school
  3 Stars
• 
  Mav

  After reading this, I am very surprised that the publishers determined the targeted reading age group to be "Age 8-12".
  
  It's a bit like Brave New World for YA. (See that bold print in the back that says: "an ALA Best Book for Young Adults".)
• 
  Amber J

  I try to express only my most honest opinion in a spoiler-free way. If you feel anything in my review is a spoiler and is not already hidden in spoiler brackets please let me know. Thank you.
  
  Well, I can see why this book got so many awards in its day. It's an amazing book of 'what if'. What if the government took the overpopulation crisis in their own hands. Banning people from having more than 2 children. What if some families had 3 children anyways.
  
  One of the things that struck me most was the moral dilemma in this book. On one hand, no mother would want to 'get rid of' one of their children just because a forced operation didn't take but keeping them locked up and hidden for the rest of their lives seems almost crueler.
  
  It was a great start to what I think will be an amazing series. I don't know where it's all going to lead to in the end but I'm eager to find out. This is something I should have been reading in my teens, but I didn't. Better late than never, right?
  
  

  How I choose my rating:
  1* Hated it. I had to force myself to finish it.
  2** Didn't like it. I didn't hate it but not sure why I finished it other than for some closure.
  3*** I liked it. I had some issues with it, but as a whole it was good. I probably won't reread ever, but there is a chance I might finish the series. (If part of one) But if not it's not a huge loss.
  4**** I really liked this book. Maybe not a work of genius, but highly entertaining. I might reread this, and I will finish the series. (If part of one) I would recommend to those I know hold interest in this book's content.
  5***** I loved this book. I found little to no issues with it at all. I will be rereading this and probably more than once. I will finish the series and reread it multiple times. (If part of one) I will recommend this book to EVERYONE!!!!
• 
  Katie Grace

  Aww, memories! I remember reading this when I was nine or ten. It was fun to revisit the world, though I'm not sure if I'll reread the other 12 or so in the series. Though I do want to know what happens... Hm, we'll see.
• 
  Brooke

  3.5
  This was a good throw back. It is like weird because it feels like it’s set before technology but it’s not. Also it’s a little dark for a children’s book which is surprising. It’s an interesting topic and dystopian setting. There was some sexist elements which was a bummer.
• 
  Olivia

  Among the Hidden...a wonderful book...futuristic!! Luke Garner is a third child, a hidden child. After the government passed the population law, third children and pets have been outlawed. But Luke's mother had always wanted four boys-"Matthew, Mark, Luke and John," she says.
  When Luke's farmland is bought to be turned into a neighborhood of barons, Luke takes interest to watching out of his attic vents. The Sports family's home, the Blonde family's home...he names them all. But wait...was that a face in the window of the Sport's family's house? Luke is too timid to find out...or is he?
  In a way, some people I know are like Luke...sitting around letting the world be changed for them. I am not like that at all. If I were Luke, I would try to change the world. I'd stay outside, letting that late summer air blow in my eyes. My mom and dad would say to the questioning people, "Oh, she's our niece, that's...Patty." I would try to be Patty for as long as I could, as I show unquestionable loyalty to my family and close friends.
  Anyway, Luke, sitting in his attic, creates a plan. He breaks into the Sports family's house, and finds Jen, another "shadow child," as she puts it. Jen is me, the complete opposite of Luke, bold and daring. Jen and Luke become fast friends, but in April before Jen's rally, Luke turns down her offer. Jen wants to rally in front of the White House, to protest the population law. She and Luke have a big fight, leaving Luke scared and alone. Soon she returns to his house, to say goodbye as she leaves for the rally.
  When Jen doesn't come back, Luke is horrified and nervous. What if Jen-he can't bring himself to think of it. Overcome by curiosity, Luke sneaks back to Jen's house, where he is told by Jen's father that she is dead.
  At the end of the book, I myself was full of questions. Will Luke change the world like he promised to Jen's spirit? Will he get caught? Will he ever see his family again? But most importantly: When will Margaret Peterson Haddix write a sequel?
• 
  Scottsdale Public Library

  In this dystopian novel, the main character, Luke, is a third child in a world where the population law forbids a family from having more than two children. At first, he is able to easily hide from the Population Police, thanks to his house being near a deserted forest. Although he cannot go to school, shops, or any public place in general, he can still play outside with his two older brothers.
  
  This all changes when the forest that hid him for years is cut down to make space for new, expensive mansions occupied mostly by Barons, the upper class of this world. His parents, fearful of the watchful eyes of the Population Police, have him go into house arrest. His new bedroom is the windowless attic, and he can't ever go outside of the house.  However, one day, when he is home alone, he runs outside of his house and meets Jen Talbot, a third child who occupies one of the new mansions. She fills his head with ideas of rebellion against the oppressive government and stuns him with her loyalty to the cause, but Luke still isn't sure he could ever be as brave as her and go out of hiding to attend a public protest. What happens next changes everything. 
  
  In this first book of a bestselling dystopian series for young adults, Margaret Peterson Haddix once again makes an impactful story. Along with being tense and thrilling, the ideas discussed make for an eloquent novel about human rights and the power (and dangers) of speech. -Meenal, SPL Teen Volunteer
• 
  Rachelle

  This is a decent book about a fictional community where the government controls everything. The people are only allowed to have 2 children so anything after 2 they hide them. This is a story about a boy that has been hidden his entire life and find out that there are other hidden children out there as well. He meets a girl and they become friends.
  I have mixed feelings about this book. The reason I read it was because a friend of mine asked me about it. Her 11 year-old son read it and he was upset and sad about some things in the book. She was kind of shocked and upset that he read such a book. So I read the book as a favor to her to see what kind of book it really was. So I honestly cannot say if I think it is appropriate for 11 year-olds. I probably would let mine read it but now that she has brought it to my attention I am kind of hesitant about what I really think.
  Don't know if that made any sense at all-Sorry..
  
• 
  Chris

  This book was a good start to a series, but it felt like a non-ending or an obvious sequel set up. Even in a young adult series each book should be able to stand alone in terms of satisfying the reader that the story is over, this one didn't really do that for me. The character development was ok but again, I'm not going to cut it slack for being for young readers, there were several characters that should have been more dimensional but weren't. As an example Jen's dad needed to be introduced by his name ASAP instead of just referring to him as Jen's dad for three chapters. Another oddity was how easily the author made Jen's idiotic plans come together. It was third person but you never get to see anything Luke doesn't get to see, she might as well have written in first person POV from Luke's perspective because that is basically what you get. If she had used third person more to her advantage we would have seen all that Jen did rather than hear from Luke that she seemed tired. As much as it annoyed me, and it did, I did find it to be an interesting, however conflicted read. The different mentalities about the government was an interesting aspect and showing the characters personality by how they see the government was a good way to get insight into the characters quickly. I ordered this for my twelve year old niece upon a recommendation and decided to read it myself to be sure she'd like it, I ordered the second book immediately upon finishing this one. It may not be my cuppa but I think a young reader would enjoy it more than I did. It gets a three out of five.
• 
  Kimberly

  Wow! I can't wait to read the rest of the series. Luke is a "third" child in a society that inforces population control. Families are allowed only two children. He is loved but lead a very solitary life. He meets another "third" child, Jen, and they form a friendship. Jen is the leader of a group of thirds and she's trying to change the laws so they no longer have to hide. Very inspiring, tender and quite a cliff hanger!
• 
  Mwestarkey97

  i love this book. read others in the series to continue the adventure.
• 
  Fred Kirchner

  I was not expecting too much, and was rewarded with a pleasantly surprising read. You can fly through this book in just a few hours, but why should you...? Here's why: Haddix creates a charming, star-crossed protagonist living in a dystopian society as a Shadow Child. Families are only allowed two kids. Luke is the third child to a strapped farming couple living on the edge of civilization. For most of his life, Luke's had the run of the back forty, but when a new housing development bring wealthy homes to their neck of the woods, Luke is forced to stay in the attic. He may never go outside again.
  
  Luke watches the new neighborhood from his secret attic lookout. One day he notices a blind flutter on one of the extravagant homes. Without his parents' knowledge, Luke sneaks over to the new neighborhood and meets another shadow child--a girl! She's linked into an underground network of Shadow Children. Adventures follow. Not too racy for your 6th grade nephew, yet deep enough for a high school ethics seminar (is there such a thing?.
• 
  The Girl with the Sagittarius Tattoo

  In a future America, families are limited to two children because the food supply has grown too low.
  
  Luke is a third child, the result of an unplanned conception. His parents keep him hidden at home, and he's taught never to be seen through windows or open doors. His family are farmers who live hand to mouth, but behind their tract the wealthy live with multiple cars in huge houses. When Luke sees a curtain twitch at a house he knows should be empty, he takes a chance on a stealth visit and finds another third child - a little girl. And what she tells him about the wider world will blow his little mind...
  
  Not only is this sci-fi novel about population control, it's about the "haves" who get away with more than anybody else. For a short, fast-reading book, there's a lot to chew on. A solid entry-level dystopian novel for middle grade/YA readers.
• 
  Rikke

  4.5 stars. This story was so good, I read it in one sitting. If only I had the sequel, I would be reading it already. Really, that's how much I enjoyed it. It's very well told, the setting is believable and cruel, and... Well, there're lots of great things to say about it, instead I'll just recommend you read it.
• 
  Julie Klein

  This book is GREAT so far! Wonderful recommendation by one of my fabulous students. Can't wait to discuss it in book club :)
• 
  Daisy W

  AwEsOMe!!!!
• 
  Skip

  12-year old Luke is a third child in a society where two is the limit; however, he notices signs of life in a deserted home and ventures out against all rules to find another hidden third child, Jen. Jen is bold and wants freedom for all, trying to enlist others similarly situated in a massive protest. Luke is too scared to go along and then has to face the dire consequences of his inaction. While this is a decent adventure of sorts, with compelling social issues, I think Haddix has unnessarily dumbed her writing down. Six more to read.
• 
  Jen Durand

  When childhood memories, bring you back you know it is a good book. Lots of mystery, drama, and sprinkles of actions. So great. I loved it and am constantly recommending it to my younger siblings.
• 
  rue mortensen

  i read this when i was maybe..... 12? or 13? i remember it being a really good book and honestly i'm probably due for a reread XD
• 
  Zoe

  
  

  "No," Luke said. "She wanted to live free. Not die. Not hide. Live."

  It's extremely difficult to write something for people of all ages, and still make it have the same overall emotional impact on everyone reading it - regardless of age. Among the Hidden is one of the few middle grade books to accomplish such a feat, and by doing so Margaret Peterson Haddix has solidified her position as a great author in my eyes.
  
  For those who believe that middle grade novels can't be gruesome and emotion-provoking, Among the Hidden proves to differ. I surprised myself by being choked up by it's sad ending, which isn't something that happens to me very often - let alone with middle grade novels. That definitely goes to show what high quality of literature this truly is.
  
  Among the Hidden takes place in a society not unlike our own where there can only be 2 children per family because of how our booming population has wrecked and polluted the Earth. The punishment of having more than two children? Death.
  
  Luke is the third child in his family - a "shadow child." He has spent his whole life hiding from the government, and he's tired of it. All he wants is to have a normal life like his brothers. But one day, while he's hiding, he sees a girl's face in his neighbor's window across the street - a house where he knows there are already 2 boys. Can it be that there are others like him? And is it possible that, together, they might be able to rebel?
  
  I think the genius of this book is it's plausibility. The society Haddix creates is not far-fetched by any means; on the contrary, it's actually quite realistic, considering the current state of the world, such as the child population laws in countries such as China. You don't need much of an imagination to see how the world or the government might turn into something similar to the one presented in this book.
  
  Character-wise, Haddix's are superb. Each character has their own unique motivations and distinct personalities, and you can't help but enjoy them.
  
  This is one of the most complex and enjoyable middle-grade books I've read in a long time - if not ever - that can still be enjoyed by any age group. The next time I deny picking up a middle grade book thinking it will be too simplistic, I'll think of this wonderful series.