The book Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix was a well-written book without a well-thought out plot. It was a disturbing tale incorporating a totalitarian government that made a policy against having more than two-children. A major famine had occurred in the story’s immediate past, and the government took control of the food supply and demand in the effort to make sure no one goes hungry again… or so they say.

Our protagonist Luke is a third child. When the government forces his farming family to sell the forest behind his house to build a new subdivision, he is forced inside. Not only that, but he is no longer allowed to go near windows or even eat with the family. His whole existence revolves around the attic. That is until one day, he discovers another third child in the new house next door. He decides to risk the run outside and across the yard to meet her. Jen draws Luke into her world with other third children, but he didn’t even know there were any other thirds beside himself. The spend the next few months organizing a rally to demand the right to live. Will the rally work? Will Luke be caught? Will Jen and the others? What will happen to Luke’s family?

I was disappointed by what coud’ve been a good story. I don’t know if kids could react well to 40+ kids being shot (albeit, it’s only mentioned offhandedly and not graphically). I think it would leave many confused and with a lot of unanswered questions. I almost got the feeling that the opinions of the people don’t matter to the government and that no one can really affect or change the world.

The story ended saying he would try to do something to make a difference, but the author didn’t leave much room for hope. His chances seem bleak. Maybe I missed the point, and it was tyring to say that the small and ignored population can make a difference. But if that the case, it was poorly executed. I would not recommend this book.

*Note, I just learned that this was a series, so maybe the next books are better than the first, but I won’t be finding out anytime soon.

Kate

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
(c) 1998, Simon & Schuster
Publisher Reading Level: Young Adult
ISBN: 978-0-689-81700-7
153 Pages