Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix is set in a future where the government has formed laws to control the number of children each family is allowed... 2. It is illegal to have more than two children. As a result, 3rd children, or Shadow Children, must hide at all costs or risk death. Luke is a Shadow Child. He lives with his family on their farm. Luke couldn't go to school or leave the property, but he could go outside on the farm, eat at the kitchen table, and participate in typical family activities. That is, until the government bought all of the land around his house and built huge mansions for the Barons to live in. Now Luke must be diligent in his hiding. He can only peer out the tiny attic vents in his bedroom to get a glimpse of the outside world. So, this is what he does while he's home alone all day, every day. But one day, as he's looking at the neighborhood, he sees a face in the window of a house where he's sure no one is home. Another Shadow Child? Yes! After several weeks of intently watching that house, Luke is certain another hidden child like himself is over there. He makes a plan to sneak out and meet this person. That's how Luke met Jen, the only friend he's ever had, the only person besides his family he's ever spoken to. Jen has some wild ideas about how to free the Shadow Children and wants Luke's help. Should he risk exposing himself and his family's secret for a chance at freedom or remain hidden for the rest of his life?I have had so many 6th graders tell me how great this story (and series) is, but this is the first time I've read any of the books. I loved it! I couldn't put it down. I'm glad there are many books to follow this one because I can't wait to find out what happens to Luke (now Lee with his fake I.D. card) as he begins living out in the open at boarding school in Among the Imposters.
