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Description edit
Government regulations limit families to two children each, so Luke, an illegal third-born, must live his life in secret, hidden in his family's farmhouse next to the woods. Luke likes it next to the woods because even though he has to hide he still could go out because none was close. But... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Summary edit
The first Book in the series Luke an third Child who been hiding All his life. He was allowed, To go outside but when the government Cuts down the trees around the farm he is forced in to hiding. later in the story he meets Jen an baron third child like he is she fights the government to free... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)
Characters edit
- Luke Garner: He is a shadow child who is over protected by parents. He gets a lot of things taken away from him. He gets a new friend also. He meets Jen and finds out that there are tons of shadow children everywhere around the world.
- Jennifer Rose Talbot: Luke's neighbor who he discovers is also a third child. Jen is the first non-family member Luke has ever met. The daughter of politically influential billionaire George Talbot, Jen grew up with more freedom than most third children and knowledge of the world as it actually is. She is killed at the rally in the end. She expected thousands of kids to come to the rally, but her and only 40 kids were brave enough, each and every kid died.
- George Talbot: Jen's father is one of the Barons that works for the Population Police and the government. You will be surprised to find out why.
- Mark Garner: Luke's older brother, the middle child.
- Matthew Garner: Luke's older/oldest brother who is legal as well.
- Population Police: The faceless characters who are sent to find third children for a large reward. Luke and the rest of the characters in the book are in constant fear of these shadow-like men. They try to make sure that no one has more than two children but third children like Luke sometimes stay alive.
- Edna Garner: Luke's mother. She is a plain middle-aged woman who has had to work hard for everything. Her strong-will is one of the main reasons Luke is alive. She stays with Luke through most of the book and is the main person in my life.
- Harlan Garner: Luke's father. Harlan works on a farm with pigs. He is one of the strictest people with Luke about avoiding being discovered.
- Mother: Add a description of this character.
- Yolanda
- Sean
- Dad
- Carlos
Quotes edit
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“It's people like you who change history , people like me we just let things happen”
Luke -
“The Government justifies keeping everyone else in pverty because people seem to work hardest when they're right on the edge of survival,”
Jen's Dad -
“Sure, you can be a coward and hope someone else changes the world for you. You can hide up in that attic of yours until someone knocks at your door and says,' oh, yeah, they freed the hidden. Want to come out?' Is that what you want? You've got to come, Luke, or you'l hate yourself the rest of your life. When you don't have to hide anymore, even years from now, threr wil always have a small part of you whispering ' I don't deserve this. I didn't fight for it.I'm not worth it.' and you are, Luke, you are. You are smart and funny and nice, and you chould be living life, instead of being buried alive in that old house of yours.”
Jen Talbot -
“The classic dystopian novel!”
- Popular Highlights from Kindle Customers
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A face. A child’s face. In a house where two boys already lived.
Highlighted by 31 Kindle customers -
“It’s all about food,” Jen said. “The Government was scared we’d all run out of food if the population kept growing. That’s why they made you and me illegal, to keep people from starving.”
Highlighted by 30 Kindle customers -
Our Government is totalitarian, and totalitarian governments never like truth.”
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Barons were unbelievably rich, Luke knew. They had things ordinary people hadn’t had in years. Luke wasn’t sure how the Barons had gotten rich, when everybody else was poor. But Dad never said the word “Baron” without a curse word or two in front of it.
Highlighted by 29 Kindle customers -
one last moment of feeling warm soil beneath his bare feet. He reminded himself, “I will never be allowed outside again. Maybe never again as long as I live.”
Highlighted by 28 Kindle customers -
There was a law against Luke. Not him personally — everyone like him, kids who were born after their parents had already had two babies.
Highlighted by 26 Kindle customers -
They had defied the Government once, with Luke. That had taken all the defiance they had in them. Maybe more.
Highlighted by 25 Kindle customers -
“Told you before. We didn’t have a choice. Government wanted it. You can’t tell the Government no.”
Highlighted by 23 Kindle customers -
“‘Matthew, Mark Luke, and John, bless the bed that I lie on.’
Highlighted by 21 Kindle customers -
He saw the first tree shudder and fall, far off in the distance. Then he heard his mother call out the kitchen window: “Luke!
Highlighted by 11 Kindle customers
Setting & Locations edit
this book takes place at lukes house
- Luke's House: Luke has spend his whole life in his house till one day he sees a face in the window of the Sport Family's House, with two boys already living there.
- Jen's House: Luke runs to her house one day and meets a third child, a shadow child, named Jen.
Organizations edit
- Population Police: The government.
- Barons: A group of rich and powerful people
First Sentence edit
He saw the first tree shudder and fall, far off in the distance.
Table of Contents edit
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
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29
30
Glossary edit
- Barons: People who have more money more than others. They are often government workers.
- Population Police: A group that goes house to house checking if they only have two children.
- Shadow Children: Children that are illegal (3rd children)
Series & Lists edit
This is book 1 of 7 in Shadow Children. (standard series)
Followed by Among the Impostors.
Authors & Contributors edit
- Margaret Peterson Haddix (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Country: U.S.A.
Publication Date: March 1, 2000
ISBN: 0689824750
Page Count: 153
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Country: U.S.A.
Publication Date: March 1, 2000
ISBN: 0689824750
Page Count: 153
Awards edit
- Emma Dede Book of the Month Award (January 2009)
- Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award (2002: Grades 6-8)
- Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award (Minnesota) (2001: Division II)
- Texas Lone Star Reading List (2000)
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: PZ7.H1164 Am 1998
- Dewey: Add the Dewey Classification.
Notes for Parents edit
Reading Level: Ages 9-12I would say 8-12 year olds, actually. Depends on your kid. They have to understand this series. It changed me forever, I must have read it when I was 8. Depending how well the child reads, it really should be read by 8-13 year olds. This book teaches kids of many possibilities of what the future could end up like. The government can control many things, but how it is controlled in the book, that is normal. It has happened in China before. NOTE : Pre-read the book before actually letting your child read it.
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Links to Supplemental Material edit
- Secondary Solutions: Common Core and NCTE/IRA Standards-Aligned Literature Guide for teaching Among the Hidden
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