Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Among the Hidden
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Simon & Schuster, 1998

GENRE: Dystopian Fiction, Science Fiction

HONORS: ALA Best Books for Young Adults, ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, YALSA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, Nominee for the Askews Children’s Book Award in Great Britain, Bank Street College’s Children’s Book Committee’s "Best Children’s Books of the Year" list

REVIEW: Set in a future United States where the Government has imposed a two child limit for all families and a special Population Police Force to enforce the law and patrol law breaking families. 12-year-old Luke is an elusive third child for the Garner family, living in the attic room of his parent’s farm house. Living as a shadow, Luke wonders if he will ever be able to live a normal life. Until one day, Luke notices peculiar occurrences in neighboring two-children homes when no one should be home. Is it possible that he isn’t the only one?

OPINION: This book was incredibly intriguing and thought provoking. It was a shorter book and a quick read, but ends with a pretty strong cliffhanger that encourages readers to continue the series. I would definitely like to find out what happens to Luke!

IDEAS:  There aren’t many dystopian novels for juvenile readers, so this book would be a key player in a dystopian fiction display. Also, it would be a great Hunger Games read-alike or recommendation for readers who want something like the Hunger Games, but their parents find it too mature for their child.