Like, is overpopulation a problem? (Possibly.) And if it is, is the best way to solve it by enacting laws? (Unlikely.) And if those laws are enacted, should they be enforced by child-killing squads? (Definitely not.)

They force us to examine society and care about what is going on in our real world. They might not have talking lions or sparkling vampires, but books like Among the Hidden aren't just out to entertain us. Taking something that exists in the real world (one-child policies, reality TV shows) and kicking it up a notch lets authors ask tough questions-and explore even tougher answers. Haddix has said that China's one-child policy wasn't the primary inspiration for Among the Hidden, but she did do a lot of research on China's own population laws. Which one is Haddix's fictional world in which a government dictates how many kids a family can have?Ĭhina has as a very well-known (and very controversial) one-child policy. While some authors create fantastically imaginary worlds (we're still waiting for our acceptance letter to Hogwarts), others choose to make up not-so-far-fetched dystopias (pretty sure Big Brother actually is watching). What is Among the Hidden About and Why Should I Care? Let's just say you don't want to turn your back on them.

We won't spoil anything, but The Missing ends up grappling with some of the same questions: what happens to kids who aren't supposed to exist-and who are targeted by some seriously evil adults? Those ALA guys sure know how to pick 'em.)Īfter finishing the Shadow Children series, Haddix began a whole new series called The Missing. (Also on the list that year? Harry Potter #1. Haddix racked up a whole bunch of awards with Among the Hidden, including being listed on the American Library Association's 1999 list of best books for young adults. Third children-shadow children-are hunted down and killed by the cheerfully named Population Police. Among the Hidden is a sci-fi novel set in an overpopulated future where the Government has decreed that families can only have two children. If you're reading that paragraph right now, going ' baroo?,' you've probably figured out that this is not Real Life. And first order of business is convincing Luke that the Government is a big, fat, corrupted liar. He meets Jen Talbot, also a third child, who's utterly against their oppressive government and is ready to start a revolution. It introduces Luke Garner, who's an illegal third child hiding from the Population Police. Among the Hidden is the springboard for Margaret Peterson Haddix's Shadow Children series-and there are seven books in the series, so make sure you have extra batteries for your late-night reading flashlight.Īmong the Hidden was published in 1998. Finish up your homework, polish off your library card, and get ready to hunker down for a reading marathon.

Margaret haddix among the hidden