Among the Hidden (first book in The Shadow Children series)

Meg gave me Margaret Peterson Haddix's Among the Hidden for our Children's Literature Book Club book exchange and I can see why it's a favorite.

ATH is about Luke, a third child, in a futuristic America where people are only allowed to have 2 children and Thirds (also known as shadow children) are hidden by parents or killed by the population police because of a law that came into effect after widespread famines. Luke lives the first years of his life in relative safety on his parent's remote farm, but after he turns 12, the government buys land from Luke's father and uses it to build a neighborhood for upperclass citizens, so Luke becomes a prisoner in his own home, terrified that he will be found out. The story gest interesting when Luke discovers another third child hiding in one of the new houses. He sneaks over to meet her and his life is changed forever . . .

Although Luke is a rounded enough character to be interesting even though he spends the majority of the book hiding in his house, the real star of the show is the futuristic society. ATH is written for a younger audience, but it brings up interesting points in an age appropriate way. This book could spark some really interesting discussions in as young as 3rd or 4th grade about the role of government, internet safety, snack food nutrition, rhetoric, and even civil disobedience.

As for my adult self, I keep thinking about this quote about how they helped impose the child limit:

"The Government went on this big campaign to make women think it was something evil to get pregnant and have kids. They put posters up in all the cities with things like, 'Who's the worst criminal?' under a picture of a pregnant lady and, I don't know, some tough looking crooks. And then if you read the whole sign it'd tell you the woman was the worst of all. Another one [. . .] had a picture of a huge pregnant belly, with the label, 'Ladies, do you want to look like this?'"

I don't know about you, but I think there are already a lot of pressures on women not to have as many or any children. Victoria Secret ads, pressure to have a career, devaluation of stay at home moms, etc. all make me think that maybe the Government wouldn't have to break the bank if they were to start a Population Control today.

ATH is the first book in a series, and the ending, while it does bring a little closure, is definetely a segue into the next book.