Among the Hidden

Among the Hidden
 by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Bibliography

Haddix, M. P. (1998). Among the hidden. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. ISBN0689824750

Summary

A supposed food shortage and government intervention lead to population control measures in Among the Hidden.  No more than two children are allowed per family, but what happens when there is a third child, a shadow child who must remain hidden at all costs?  What happens when one of these children longs for more and goes to find it when he spots another third child through a window?  In Among the Hidden, Luke ventures out of his safe hiding place to find company, but gets more than he bargains for when his new friend wants him to join a public protest against the government.  His entire world is at risk...will he go?

Critical Analysis

Among the Hidden is a convincing and weighty dystopic novel.  The world we read about is closely related to ours and feels like something that could happen if all conditions were right - or wrong in this case.  Haddix setting is easy to believe and she creates a covetously simple yet intriguing plot that draws the reader into the story and makes it impossible not to care about the main character, Luke, and his engaging friend, Jen.

Typical of dystopic novels, Among the Hidden carries a warning as a main theme, beware a government that controls the people and not the other way around - retain your freewill!  Psychological drama and not the events carry the story, but enough happens to keep the reader interested.  And the story is extremely well written.  Among the Hidden is targeted toward a rather young audience (ages 8-12) so while very intense, the sociological and psychological aspects are kept at a level appropriate for the age group.

Review Excerpts

* The plot development is sometimes implausible and the characterizations a bit brittle, but the unsettling, thought-provoking premise should suffice to keep readers hooked. --Publishers Weekly

* the loss of free will is the fundamental theme of an exciting and compelling story of one young person defying authority and the odds to make a difference. Readers will be captivated by Luke's predicament and his reactions to it. --School Library Journal


Connections

* Expert from Among the Hidden
   

He had never disobeyed the order to hide. Even as a toddler, barely able to walk in the backyard’s tall grass, he had somehow understood the fear in his mother’s voice. But on this day, the day they began taking the woods away, he hesitated. He took one extra breath of the fresh air, scented with clover and honeysuckle and -- coming from far away -- pine smoke. He laid his hoe down gently, and savored one last moment of feeling warm soil beneath his bare feet. He reminded himself, “I will never be allowed outside again. Maybe never again as long as I live.”

He turned and walked into the house, as silently as a shadow.

* You can listen to a sample from the audio version here.  Look under the blue cover picture.

*There are seven books in the Shadow Children Series.

• Among the Hidden
• Among the Imposters
• Among the Betrayed
• Among the Barons
• Among the Brave
• Among the Enemy
• Among the Free