Among the Hidden

Among the Hidden. By Margaret Peterson Haddix. Simon and Schuster, 2000. 153 pages. PB $6.99 ISBN 978-0689824753

Summary: Imagine living in a country where food is rationed so heavily that it is illegal to have more than two children. Luke Garner is the first child in the Garner household, and this forces him to perpetually hide from the authorities. One day he notices another family with a third child and he soon becomes close friends with her. Outspoken Jen urges Luke to rally with her in opposition of the Population Law. Her father, a police officer himself, additionally opposes the law. Will Luke be able to successfully confront his fears, or will he spend his life hiding from the authorities?

Critical Review: Haddix’s futuristic novel is not that far fetched. Chinese families are disallowed from having more than one child, and this novel is a perfect example of the inhumanity of that system. Among the Hidden is very much a novel of friendship. With the help of Jen and her father Luke emerges out of his sheltered upbringing. The ending is bittersweet, unfortunately. George Talbot retrieves a fake ID card for Luke, which will allow him to live a normal life without having to hide. However, by accepting these conditions Luke is forced to hide behind the identity of an affluent boy and is forbidden from seeing his family again.

Genre: Science Fiction

Reading/Interest Level: 9-12 years 

Awards: Rhode Island Children's Book Award (NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD) 2000
Beehive Children's Fictional Book Award (NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD) 2000
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award (NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD) 2000
Young Reader's Choice Award (NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD) 2001
SCASL Book Award (South Carolina) (NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD) 2001
Georgia Children's Book Award (NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD) 2001
Great Stone Face Children's Book Award (WON AWARD) 2001
Iowa Teen Award (NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD) 2001
Maine Student Book Award (NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD) 2000
Maud Hart Lovelace Award (WON AWARD) 2001

William Allen White Children's Book Award (NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD) 2001
California Young Reader Medal (WON AWARD) 2001
Nevada Young Reader's Award (WON AWARD) 2001
Nutmeg Children's Book Award (WON AWARD) 2002
Sunshine State Young Reader's Book Award (WON AWARD) 2002
Golden Sower Award (NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD) 2002
Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award (NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD) 2002
Volunteer State Book Award (NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD) 2002
Young Hoosier Book Award (NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD) 2002
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (WON AWARD) 2002
Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Book Award (WON AWARD) 2003
Massachusetts Children's Book Award (NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD) 2001
Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award (NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD) 2003
Iowa Children's Choice Award (WON AWARD) 2004

Reviews: Publishers Weekly (2000, February 7); Voice of Youth Advocates (1998, October 1); School Library Journal (September 1)

Series: Shadow Children series 

Similar Materials: The following novels in the “Shadow Children” series: Among the Imposters; Among the Betrayed; Among the Barons; Among the Brave; Among the Enemy; Among the Free

Subjects/Themes: futuristic societies, dystopias, friendship, birth control

Character Names: Luke Garner; Mr. and Mrs. Garner; Matthew and Mark Garner; Jen Talbot; George Talbot; Population Police; Lee Grant

Author Website: http://www.haddixbooks.com/

Brief Annotation: A boy is forced to hide from the Population Control police, in the first book of Cooper’s Shadow Children” series.