Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Dystopia. 153 Pages. 5 Stars

Synopsis:

Luke has never been to school. He’s never had a birthday party, or gone to a friend’s house for an overnight. In fact, Luke has never had a friend.

Luke is one of the shadow children, a third child forbidden by the Population Police. He’s lived his entire life in hiding, and now, with a new housing development replacing the woods next to his family’s farm, he is no longer even allowed to go outside.

Then, one day Luke sees a girl’s face in the window of a house where he knows two other children already live. Finally, he’s met a shadow child like himself. Jen is willing to risk everything to come out of the shadows – does Luke dare to become involved in her dangerous plan? Can he afford not to?

My Review:

This little gem…mmm…I haven’t read this book in…13 years? But I own almost all of Haddix’s books. She’s one of the authors I don’t even read the synopsis anymore; I just pick up the book. I remember loving this when I first read it. (Dumb kid, found the last book in the series in a book order for school and never knew it was part of a series until after I read it. This is what Goodreads does for me! Keeps me on the straight and narrow XD) Anyway, I found an audiobook version and decided to try it since I’m trying out audio books.

And, y’all. I was bawling the first chapter in. I knew I loved this story, but after finishing it, I am an emotional wreck. I knew it was coming. I listened to the whole book in agony (and actually picked up on a lot of foreshadowing this time!). And I was bawling at work when the tragedy hit. So why torture myself? Because this whole series is worth it. Every single time.

Haddix is a master at suspense and plot twists. From the very first book of hers I picked up 15 years ago, I’ve been hooked on her writing. And this book is no different. Even a decade later, I’m still just as invested in this premise and world that she’s built–a world not so out of reach as to be truly unimaginable, unfortunately. The thread of reality with the threat of today’s society adds an eerie allure to this book. It’s just realistic enough to make you wonder what it would take for us to turn into Haddix’s world here. Not much. And that leaves you on the edge of your seat. I knew how the book ended and I still felt that tension in my chest all through the story.

Not only is the book very well-written and the page-turning plot excellent and engaging, but something about the premise of the book itself tugs at my heart. The fight for freedom and for life has always been close to my heart, but the illustration and very blatant fight in this book just drives the point home. I love the way Haddix crafts Luke’s world around him and shows us, the reader, his world as it expands and he learns more about the history and people around him. I love Luke anyway! I love his heart and his courage, his loyalty and his struggle. I love the stark contrast he lives in; the fear and constant analysis of the world around him just bleeds through the page. And Jen, man, Jen just…Jen is so bright and bubbly and serious all at the same time. I love her devotion. Luke put it best “Stop Jen? That’s like trying to stop the sun.” The two characters really played off each other beautifully.

Ugh, I’m going to wrap this up because I’m still crying over here and because I’ll just gush and gush if I keep going. The book is very well-done. High suspense and tension. Simple and easy to read. Lovable characters. Intriguing plot. Heartfelt themes. Middle grade, but a book everyone really ought to pick up. One to read over and over again. And because it’s an audio book, I should also mention that the reader did very well. I thoroughly enjoyed his narration.

The book is MG, so no foul language, no romance, and not really any violence. There’s heavy oppression and some deep themes here, but it’s an appropriate read. There’s some fear for life, grief, and talk of political unrest and execution, but nothing even remotely graphic.

This book was no less amazing this time around. I recommend it most highly.

More:

Book 2 in the Shadow Children series is Among the Imposters (5 Stars)

Book 3 is Among the Betrayed (5 Stars)

Book 4 is Among the Barons (4 Stars)

Book 5 is Among the Brave (5 Stars)

Book 6 is Among the Enemy (5 Stars)

Book 7 is Among the Free (5 Stars)

I have read all of the above and rated them on Goodreads, but since I read them before GR existed, there aren’t reviews for them all. As I go through and read them again, I’ll add reviews.

This series should be read in order! Don’t be like middle school me–don’t read book seven first. XD