Among The Hidden

Bibliography

Haddix, Margaret Peterson. 1998. Among The Hidden. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0689824750

Plot Summary

Among the Hidden is the story of Luke, a twelve year old boy whose existence is forbidden by the US government. In this futuristic story, the government regulates how many a children can have due to food shortages. Only allowed 2 children, Luke's parents find themselves with a third child and unable to bring themselves to "get rid of it" as the government demands. No one, except his immediate family knows that he exists- not even his grandparents. Luke has spent his entire life on the family farm far away from government eyes. He is allowed to help out in the barn and around the land but has never been to town, school, store for fear of the government punishing the family. When the government takes the wooded part of the family's land and builds an exclusive housing development, Luke's life changes for the worse. He is forced to live inside his windowless attic room-not even allowed to eat with the family. He eventually discovers that he can peer out the attic vents to see the outside world without being seen. One day, Luke sees a face of a child inside a house that he has determined has two boys visible. This startles him and he figures out that this girl must be just like him-a third child in hiding. After much deliberation, he decides to take a risk and sneak over to meet the child. Luke finds Jen who is indeed a third child. Since Jen's father is a government official, they have special privileges such as junk food, and computers. She shares her food such as cokes, and potato chips and introduces him to the computer and books that disagree with the governments population control laws. She tries to convince him to join her plan to protest to the police but she is unable to win him over. He is just too scared. Jen and Luke part ways-she is too angry to talk to him. Later, Luke learns that Jen and all of the other third children who attended the rally were shot and killed. Jen's father, who is under the watchful eye of the government, helps to get Luke a new identity. Luke leaves his family so that he can survive and they won't be punished. He will finally become a part of society.

Critical Analysis

Haddix has written a thought provoking novel that will leave a lasting impression on readers. The main character, Luke and his friend Jen are two very different children facing the same problem. They are basically "illegal". Illegal because of a law that the government has instituted called the population control law. Readers will identify with these children and be appalled at the way they must live their lives. Older readers will understand the plight of the parents. In order to keep Luke safe, they must hid him and basically cut him off from the world-even their own dining table. These characters struggle daily to survive in this very different society.

Among the Hidden is set in futuristic America. This America is the opposite of the one we know. The government has control over every aspect of their lives. When Luke complains to his father about selling the woods, his dad replies:"Told you before, We didn't have a choice. Government wanted it. You can't tell the government no." One begins to realize just how little freedom people have. When Luke's friend, Jenn is killed protesting the population law, he realizes that life as he has known it is essentially over. The population is keeping a close eye on Jenn's dad who is a government worker. He and Luke realize that the police suspect that there is another third child. He offers to help Luke obtain a new identity. Although his mom does not want him to go, she too recognized the danger and reluctantly lets go. It is horrible to realize that Luke, who is only 12 years old, is in danger of being killed and must leave his family to survive. However horrifying it may seem, this story echos the plight of Jewish children and their families during the Nazi occupation. Just as Irena Sendler smuggled thousands of children out of Warsaw, Jenn's father will smuggle Luke to safety. One wonders if Jen's dad will continue to be a central figure in this series or if others will take his place. Most children who read this book will think that this situation could never happen in our country-could it?

Haddix tells the story in a simple style easily read by younger readers. However, it may be difficult for younger readers to understand what "government" is and how they can be so controlling. Among the Hidden is a great book to introduce themes such as liberty, the loss of free will, food shortages and friendship. Once you start the series, it will be difficult not to read one book after another. Look for books two: Among the Impostors.

Review Excerpts

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 1999)In a society where family size is strictly limited to two children, Luke is a third child. Living in an attic bedroom to avoid being seen by authorities, Luke peers through an outside vent and observes another "shadow child" hiding in a nearby home, thereby beginning a secret friendship with Jen, who plans to rebel against the government system. The conclusion is abrupt, but the novel plot is thought-provoking and readable.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, 1998)In a chilling and intelligent novel, Haddix (Leaving Fishers, 1997, etc.) envisions a near future where a totalitarian US limits families to only two children. Luke, 12, the third boy in his farming family, has been hidden since birth, mostly in the attic, safe for the time being from the Population Police, who eradicate such "shadow children." The seizing of farmlands, untenable food regulations, and other scenarios that have come to fruition in these pages will give readers a new appreciation for their own world after a visit to Luke's

Connections

http://www.haddixbooks.com/home.html

Introduce the Holocaust to children. Discuss how this story compares and contrast to the real horrors that the Jewish people faced during the Nazi occupation.

Books

Ten Thousand Children: True Stories Told by Children Who Escaped the Holocaust on the Kindertransport. Ann Fox, Eva Abraham. ISBN 0874416485

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. John Boyne. ISBN 0385751060

To find out more about Irena Sendler: www.irenasendler.org