Among the Hidden (Shadow Children)

Among the Hidden (Shadow Children)
By Margaret Peterson Haddix
Released November 2008
Fiction/Young Adult
$6.99 or $5.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

This was a book recommended to me by a wonderful teacher and good friend after I had read
"The Hunger Games". "Among the Hidden" and the rest of the books in the series "Shadow Children" are quick reads. About 170 pages in each book. I believe there are 7 in the series. Haddix writes a very simple, fast paced novel. They are perfect for the young adult audience (think Harry Potter fans as the target market).
It is also seems simplified because it is narrated by a young boy, Luke Garner.The story is set in the future. Luke comes from a farming family; a stay-at-home mom,farming dad and two older brothers. The government has created laws governing employment, income, land ownership and population control. Each family is allowed only two children. Any more, and those other children must be sent away. Luke is an illegal third child; as they are called. His family could not bear to send him away so they have chosen to keep him hidden, as other families with illegal third children do. The government has Population Police, who will visit homes and monitor phone calls and internet usage of all citizens. When Luke was younger , his father owned a large farm out in the country. Luke was able to sneak outside and play. Then the government seized some of Mr. Garner's land so they could build housing for the Barons- the wealthier citizens of society. During the construction it was only safe for Luke to go out at night. Then when families started to move into the homes Luke was forbidden to go out at all. The smaller farm decreased the family income and their government rations so Mrs. Garner was forced to get a factory job. During the day, when the family was gone Luke was forbidden to leave his attic bedroom. His family felt it wasn't safe for him to even walk by the downstairs windows for fear the Population Police would be called. One day while his family is away, Luke notices movement in a neighbors window. It looks like a child. Lukehas been watching all of the neighbors through the attic vents. He knows their daily routines and how many members are in each family. Based on that knowledge he realizes that the child across the yard is an illegal third child. Eventually Luke gathers up the courage to sneak over to the neighbor's house and break in(!).  He discovers Jen Talbot. A girl his age who is indeed another shadow child. They form a friendship and a shared desire for freedom; for themselves and all shadow children.
This is a nice story. Perfect for the target audience. No sex, no violence. The story is made for classroom discussion. It didn't have the excitement of "Hunger Games" though both stories are rooted in similiar concepts.
I found myself disliking Luke Garner. He was cowardly, wimpy, and totally afraid....of everything. It's understandable considering the way he has been forced to live his life but it doesn't change the fact that I just don't like this character. I need a little more piss and vinegar in my heroes; even the 12 year old ones. I am currently reading the second book in the series so I will keep you posted!
Do I recommend it: To your kids-yes!
But: If  you want to read along with your child  you will certainly have some great material to discuss.
Bouns: It's part of a series so if you like the first one there's more where that came from!