Among the Hidden

Last updated
Among the Hidden
Among the Hidden.jpg
Third edition cover
Author Margaret Peterson Haddix
Cover artist Cliff Nielsen
CountryUnited States of America
Series Shadow Children
SubjectYoung adult novel
Genre Dystopian, Science Fiction
Publisher Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Publication date
March 1, 1998
Media typePrint (hardcover and paperback)
Pages160
ISBN 0-689-81700-2
OCLC 37588395
LC Class PZ7.H1164 Am 1998
Followed by Among the Impostors  

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix is a young adult novel published on September 1, 1998 [1] and is the first book in the Shadow Children series.

Contents

The book tells the story of a fictional future in which drastic measures have been taken to quell overpopulation. In 2013, it was one of the ten most taught texts in United States' middle schools. [2]

Plot summary

The novel is set in a dystopian future in which families are limited to two children due to food shortage and overpopulation. The protagonist is Luke Garner, a 12-year-old boy, who lives on a farm with his mother, father, and two brothers. As a third child, Luke and his parents are in violation of a population law. Like all third children, Luke must spend his days hidden or away from public view, so that he is not killed or imprisoned. When the government starts building houses for the rich and elite in the woods behind the Garner's house, Luke is forced to stay indoors and is alone during the day.

One day, Luke sees the face of a child in a window of a house that he knows already has two children. The next month, he runs over to the house out of curiosity and is caught by the child he saw in the window, Jen Talbot. She reveals that she is also a third child. Jen introduces Luke to a chatroom for other third children. The participants call themselves Shadow Children. The two become friends and Luke visits Jen as much as he can.

Jen, who strongly disagrees with the government, tries to persuade Luke that the government is wrong. Later, at home, he begins to feel guilty for taking up food and supplies that could be used for other people. Jen tells Luke about a rally. Luke refuses to go and tells Jen he is too afraid. Jen gets upset and tells him to leave. He is angry at her and wishes that the Population Police would shoot her during the rally, but he regrets having this thought. That night, she sneaks over to his house and they reconcile before she says goodbye.

The next morning, Luke is paranoid about what has happened. There has been no report of any rally. Growing more afraid of what may have happened to Jen, he breaks into her home again, but there is no sign of her. He runs into the computer room and logs into the chatroom. He sends a message in the chatroom asking if anyone knows what became of her, but there is no reply. A man steps into the room with a gun. He asks who Luke is and how he knows Jen. Luke reveals himself as a Shadow Child who is friends with Jen and demands to know where she is. The man, who is revealed to be Mr. Talbot, Jen's father, lowers the gun. He explains that Jen and forty other children were shot and killed in the rally.

The Population Police arrive and demand to enter the home as the government had begun to monitor use of the Shadow Children chatroom after the rally. Luke hides while Mr. Talbot defuses the situation. Mr. Talbot forges legal identification for Luke so he can run away, and Luke begins a new life as Lee Grant. At the end of the book, he begins attending a boarding school.

Reception

Among the Hidden received many accolades:

Related Research Articles

<i>Lady Audleys Secret</i>

Lady Audley's Secret is a sensation novel by Mary Elizabeth Braddon published in 1862. It was Braddon's most successful and well-known novel. Critic John Sutherland (1989) described the work as "the most sensationally successful of all the sensation novels". The plot centres on "accidental bigamy" which was in literary fashion in the early 1860s. The plot was summarised by literary critic Elaine Showalter (1982): "Braddon's bigamous heroine deserts her child, pushes husband number one down a well, thinks about poisoning husband number two and sets fire to a hotel in which her other male acquaintances are residing". Elements of the novel mirror themes of the real-life Constance Kent case of June 1860 which gripped the nation for years. Braddon’s second ‘bigamy’ novel, Aurora Floyd, appeared in 1863. Braddon set the story in Ingatestone Hall, Essex, inspired by a visit there. There have been three silent film adaptations, one UK television version in 2000, and three minor stage adaptations.

<i>Five Find-Outers</i> Series of childrens books by Enid Blyton

The Five Find-Outers and Dog, also known as The Five Find-Outers, is a series of children's mystery books written by Enid Blyton. The first was published in 1943 and the last in 1961. Set in the fictitious village of Peterswood based on Bourne End, close to Marlow, Buckinghamshire, the children Fatty, who is the leader of the team, Larry, Pip, Daisy, Bets and Buster, Fatty's dog, encounter a mystery almost every school holiday, always solving the puzzle before Mr Goon, the unpleasant village policeman, much to his annoyance.

<i>By Royal Command</i>

By Royal Command is the fifth novel in the Young Bond series depicting Ian Fleming's superspy James Bond as a teenager in the 1930s. The novel, written by Charlie Higson, takes place in 1934 and see James at the age of fourteen. Locations include The Alps (Kitzbühel), England, France, Lisbon, and Vienna.

Deltora Quest is the collective title for three distinct series of children's fantasy books, written by Australian author Emily Rodda. It follows the adventures of three companions as they journey across the fictitious land of Deltora, endeavouring to recover the seven gems stolen from the magical Belt of Deltora and defeat allies of the evil Shadow Lord. The series was first published in Australia in 2000 and has since been published in more than 30 countries. The series has sold over 18 million copies worldwide, including over 2 million in Australia. It is published by Scholastic in Australia and the United States. In most countries, the series is illustrated by Marc McBride.

<i>Among the Impostors</i> 2001 novel by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Among the Impostors is a 2001 book by Margaret Peterson Haddix, about a time in which drastic measures have been taken to quell overpopulation. It is the second of seven novels in the Shadow Children series.

Shadow Children is a series of seven books by Margaret Peterson Haddix about a dystopian country which suffers food shortages due to a drought and the effects of the government's totalitarian attempts to control resources as a way to solidify its power. The Population Police enforce the government's Population Law, killing or imprisoning "shadow children," any child born after their first two siblings. In some cases, a parent may choose to forge a child's identification card so a shadow child can live a normal life.

<i>Among the Betrayed</i> 2002 novel by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Among the Betrayed is a 2002 novel by Margaret Peterson Haddix, about a time in which drastic measures have been taken to quell overpopulation.

<i>Among the Barons</i> 2003 novel by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Among the Barons is a 2003 book by Margaret Peterson Haddix, about a time in which drastic measures have been taken to quell overpopulation. It is the fourth of seven novels in the Shadow Children series.

<i>Garden of Shadows</i> Novel by V. C. Andrews

Garden of Shadows, a novel by V. C. Andrews, was first published in 1987. V. C. Andrews died in 1986, and her estate commissioned ghostwriter Andrew Neiderman to continue writing novels under her name developed from plot outlines originally written by Andrews. There is some dispute over whether this particular novel was written in part by Andrews before she died, or whether it was written entirely by Neiderman. This is the fifth novel of the Dollanganger series. The novel explains the origin of Olivia Winfield, the events that cause her to become the cold, domineering mistress of Foxworth Hall, and Corinne's childhood and eventual betrayal. It is the fifth novel of the Flowers in the Attic series but considered the prequel, as the story told takes place prior to the events of the first book. The story covers the years between 1918 and 1957.

<i>Among the Brave</i> 2004 novel by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Among the Brave is a 2004 young adult science fiction novel by American writer Margaret Peterson Haddix, about a time in which drastic measures have been taken to quell overpopulation. It is the fifth of seven novels in the Shadow Children series.

<i>Among the Enemy</i> 2005 novel by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Among the Enemy is a 2005 novel by Margaret Peterson Haddix, about a time in which drastic measures have been taken to quell overpopulation. It is the sixth of seven novels in the Shadow Children series.

<i>Among the Free</i> 2006 novel by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Among the Free is a 2006 young adult science fiction novel by American writer Margaret Peterson Haddix, about a time in which drastic measures have been taken to quell overpopulation. It is the seventh and final book in the Shadow Children series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke Handley</span> Soap opera character

Luke Handley is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Bernard Curry. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 7 March 1995. Luke's storylines included a brief fling with Libby Kennedy, a relationship with Serendipity Gottlieb, suffering a breakdown, being diagnosed with cancer and starting a relationship with Danni Stark. He departed on 17 December 1996, but Curry reprised the role in 2005 for the 20th anniversary.

<i>Teen Idol</i> (novel) Novel by Meg Cabot

Teen Idol was written by Meg Cabot and published in August 2004 in hardcover and in August 2005 in paperback edition.

<i>The Monster Bed</i> 1987 childrens book by Jeanne Willis

The Monster Bed is a 1987 children's book by Jeanne Willis and illustrated by Susan Varley that revolves around the twist on the common "monsters under the bed" story that frighten children. The book is a young reader, normally aimed for 4 years or older. The main character, the monster Dennis, believes that human children are under his bed and will get him as he falls asleep. His mother, however, tries to get him to go to sleep. Eventually, a human child accidentally ventures into their home cave, and both the human and Dennis discover each other, frightening both.

<i>City of Bones</i> (Clare novel) 2007 fantasy novel by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones is the first urban fantasy book in author Cassandra Clare's New York Times bestselling series The Mortal Instruments. The novel, first published in 2007, is set in modern-day New York City and has been released in several languages, including Bulgarian, Hebrew, Polish and Japanese. It is the first book in the first trilogy of The Mortal Instruments which includes the books City of Ashes and City of Glass.

<i>The Declaration</i> (novel)

The Declaration is a young adult novel written by Gemma Malley.

<i>Vespers Rising</i> 2011 novel by Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman, and Jude Watson

Vespers Rising is a part of The 39 Clues franchise, which includes the 39 Clues books, card packs, and interactive online games. The book is a transition between the first series, The 39 Clues, and the second, Cahills vs. Vespers. It was written by Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman, and Jude Watson. The book was released on April 5, 2011. Unlike the other 10 books, the title card shows a series of dots rather than a globe.

Heaven is the first book in the Casteel series by author V. C. Andrews and was followed by Dark Angel, Fallen Hearts, Gates of Paradise, and Web of Dreams. It is also the first name of the main character. It was first published on November 1, 1985, and is one of Andrews' most popular works.

<i>The Book of the Unnamed Midwife</i> 2014 Meg Elison sci-i novel

The Book of the Unnamed Midwife is post-apocalyptic feminist novel written by American author Meg Elison, published in 2014 by Sybaritic Press. This novel is the winner of the Philip K Dick Award for Distinguished Science Fiction. It is the first novel in The Road to Nowhere Trilogy.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Among the Hidden (Shadow Children, #1)". Goodreads. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  2. Shannahan, Timothy (October 2013). "Common Core in the Schools: A First Look at Reading Assignments" (PDF).