Among the Hidden
Margaret Peterson Haddix
17 min
8 Key Points
4.5 RateWhat's inside?
Dive into a thrilling dystopian world where third children are forbidden by the government. Follow the life of Luke, a hidden child, as he navigates secrecy, fear, and the fight for freedom.
Key points
01The Birth of a Shadow
In a world where his existence is a forbidden secret, Luke Garner lived a life of shadows and silence. Born as a third child in a society that rigidly enforced a two-child policy due to overpopulation, his life was a constant source of fear and anxiety for his family. His home was a secluded farmhouse, far removed from the prying eyes of the world, where he was hidden away like a precious artifact too valuable to be exposed. His world was the attic, a small, confined space where he spent his days peering out of a tiny vent, his only window to the outside world. His companions were his thoughts, his dreams, and the occasional presence of his mother, the only one brave enough to visit him during the daylight hours. His father and older brothers, Mark and Matthew, knew of his existence but maintained a safe distance to avoid arousing suspicion. Luke's universe was confined within the four walls of his room and the limited view from his vent. He watched helplessly as the government bulldozed the woods surrounding his home, making way for a new housing development. The new houses blocked his view, further shrinking his world and leaving him more isolated than ever. Yet, in the midst of this isolation and fear, Luke remained a beacon of curiosity and hope. He dreamt of a life beyond the attic, a life where he could freely explore the world that was so tantalizingly close yet so far. He was intelligent and resourceful, using books and his vivid imagination to learn about the world from which he was hidden. One day, while his family was away, Luke spotted a face in the window of one of the newly constructed houses. This sighting ignited a spark of hope in him, leading him to question if he was truly the only hidden child. This encounter marked the beginning of Luke's journey, a journey where he would risk everything to uncover the truth about his society and his place within it. His life was about to change, and he was ready to face whatever came his way.
02The Vanishing Green
Luke had always found solace in the verdant embrace of the woods that surrounded his home. As a third child in a society that permitted only two offspring per family, he was an outlaw by birth, a secret to be kept hidden from the ever-watchful eyes of the Population Police. The woods were his sanctuary, a haven where he could breathe freely, away from the stifling confines of his home. But then, the government's bulldozers arrived, their monstrous metal jaws tearing through the lush greenery, uprooting trees and flattening the undergrowth. They were making way for a new housing complex, a symbol of progress that held no regard for the natural beauty it was destroying. Luke watched in silent horror as his sanctuary was decimated, leaving him exposed and vulnerable. With the loss of his woodland refuge, Luke was forced to retreat to the attic of his home. It was a cramped, dusty space, filled with forgotten relics of the past. But it offered him a semblance of safety, a place where he could remain hidden from the world. His days were spent in isolation, his only connection to the outside world a small vent that offered a limited view of the changing landscape. As the days turned into weeks, the isolation began to gnaw at Luke. He missed the freedom of the woods, the feel of the earth beneath his feet, the sound of the wind whispering secrets through the leaves. He yearned for the companionship of his family, but the risk of discovery was too great. His world had been reduced to the four walls of the attic and the limited view from the vent. Despite the monotony and loneliness, Luke's spirit remained unbroken. One day, he spotted movement in one of the houses of the new complex. His heart pounded with a new hope. Could there be another hidden child like him? This discovery sparked a new determination in him, a resolve to find a way to communicate with the other hidden child. Perhaps, together, they could find a way to survive in this new world, a world that had no place for them.
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03The Face in the Window
04The Unseen Ally
05The Rally for Freedom
06The Dangerous Escape
07The New Beginning
08Conclusion
About Margaret Peterson Haddix
Margaret Peterson Haddix is an American author known for her science fiction and dystopian children's books. She has written over 40 books, including the popular "Shadow Children" and "The Missing" series. Her work often explores themes of ethics, social structures, and the complexities of human nature.