Margaret Peterson Haddix

Among the Hidden (Shadow Children)

It felt like a prequel for what’s to come instead of a book that can stand on its own. The topics it touches on are very important, and I like that the author trusted young children to be able to understand these themes. I feel like people don’t trust children to possess intelligence or understand what’s happening in the world anymore. The use of propaganda and privilege was very spot on and still prevalent in 2025, which is scary to think about. 

I hate hate hate Luke’s parents. they are selfish and unsympathetic. They are a huge reason I’m giving this the rating I am. Even the mother, who is supposed to be seen as loving, is insufferable because she’s the reason her child is at risk. Also, the pacing was weird at points. 

Nik ✨

It felt like a prequel for what’s to come instead of a book that can stand on its own. The topics it touches on are very important, and I like that the author trusted young children to be able to understand these themes. I feel like people don’t trust children to possess intelligence or understand what’s happening in the world anymore. The use of propaganda and privilege was very spot on and still prevalent in 2025, which is scary to think about. 

I hate hate hate Luke’s parents. they are selfish and unsympathetic. They are a huge reason I’m giving this the rating I am. Even the mother, who is supposed to be seen as loving, is insufferable because she’s the reason her child is at risk. Also, the pacing was weird at points. 

I honestly didn't like Luke, and found the book a little boring.

Bea </3

Wasn’t very interesting until the very end.

Oliver

okay i first read this in 4th grade!! i always end up rereading it once in a while simply because of the dystopian-suspense. it’s for kids but i will always love reading it. the whole series is just enthralling.

vicky

maitha mana

First read this book in the 7th grade and I absolutely fell in love with it. I read the first three books but not really bothered to re-read all of them atm. I was a fool for anything Shadow Children/ totalitarian slash extremist government related and this one just did it for me. Looking back at it, the only difference is that I now wish the book is more than 150 pages long. Other than that, it was a good trip down memory lane.

Julie Janis

I don't have anything bad to say about this book. I really enjoyed it! I'm so intrigued by books with government systems that control population for various reasons. This one about third children being illegal was so interesting and I formed a relationship with the main character, Luke, quickly. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!

Nadine 

Suspenseful story about f 3rd and forbidden child. First in a great and gripping 7 part series suitable for upper elementary.

Shadow Children #1

Among the Hidden

Kaley Catron

This was strange. Like I like the idea I just feel like it fell slightly flat but like also I was so intrigued…?

Hannah Borgmann '

2,5 langweilig aber nicht ätzend als Schulbuch

Among the Barons (Shadow Children)

Michelle Boyea

** spoiler alert **
           Absolutely loved the ending. 

Luke is safe. He saves Smits. And he's even able to give Smits parents that will take care of him

In a society that allows families to have only two children, a group of third-borns try to save themselves and others like them.

Among the Brave

It was great to see Trey step into the role he was meant to have. To see him become the man he was meant to be. To not let his fears stop him from saving his friends b

Thirteen-year-old Nina is imprisoned by the Population Police, who give her the option of helping them identify illegal "third-born" children, or facing death.

Shadow Children #3

Among the Betrayed

Abby N. Lewis

In a future where the Population Police enforce the law limiting a family to only two children, Luke, an illegal third child, has lived all his twelve years in isolation and fear on his family's farm in this start to the Shadow Children series from Margaret Peterson Haddix. 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?

Erin 

2018 reread:
A ton of stuff happens in this book, and it's not even that long. But it does a lot of things that make sense for its length. I really like that its middle grade, because I don't feel like there are enough dystopian middle-grade books - or at least, there weren't when I was that age. It's a simple story, but it aches with complexity and you get the feeling that before long, so much will be happening. It is shocking as well - especially with Jen and her fate. You go through the book thinking that her rally will be successful, that by the course of one person's actions the entire world will change, but then you are drastically given a blow that makes you realise how much bigger of an issue it is. But it works for middle grade, because it's written in a format that makes it easier to understand a much larger underlying issue with the society the characters live in. And it's incredibly intriguing, and makes you want to read the next books more than anything.
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I was so obsessed with this series in middle school. I don't think I've read them all yet, but the concept is way too interesting to not be intrigued. It almost feels like a game, but with much more dire consequences.

Among the Hidden (Shadow Children)

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