Prior to the holiday break, our classes read the novel Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Among the Hidden is the first book in the Shadow Children Series. The story is science-fiction and discusses several themes including population trends and policies, natural and manmade resources, supply and demand, government power, friendship, family relations, etc. The story takes place in a society that is dictated by the government and enforces a strict two-child policy. Many families in the society exceed the two-child limit and are forced to hide their additional children. The lives of the third children are heartbreaking, as they are forced to hide and are not able to participate in society like everyone else. These children cannot leave their homes, go to school, or even play outside because the danger of being caught as an illegal third child is high. Death is the traditional consequence for any third children who are caught by the government.
The main character of this story, Luke, is a young teenage boy who knows what it's like to hide. He has two older brothers that he must watch go to school, play out in the yard, and experience the rest of the world while he hides in their attic. As the days pass, his parents enforce even stricter hiding rules for Luke and eventually his life in the attic becomes so depressing that he risks everything to make a change. You'll need to read the story to find out what Luke decides and whether or not it pays off.
My 6th grade students really enjoyed this book and many of them are continuing the series to really find out what happens with Luke. While reading the book, we had a lot of great discussions together and the students participated in a debate over the One Child Policy in China that really turned out amazing. I would highly recommend this book to any adolescent reader.
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