Among the Hidden
Written by: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Cover illustrations by: Cliff Nielsen
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in 1998 in NY
Genre: Science Fiction
Ages: Grades 4-8* (see Teaching Connections)
Summary: This work is set in the future in an undisclosed formerly democratic nation that has become a totalitarian regime. While the democracy was in power, famine struck and riots ensued. Finally, the government was overthrown because people were so "hungry" for a change in politics because of their literal hunger. They gave in to anyone who seemed he could help--no matter how radical the solution. One man said he would create a land with "law and order and food for all" (135) and he came into power. His solution was to restrict nearly everything and have total power residing in the government. The most restricted element of this society was children--third children. If a family had a third child that child was not to be seen or heard from--ever! The government said there just was not enough food to go around, so the population had to be decreased dramatically and rapidly. Shadow child, or third child, is rarely, if ever, allowed outside, is never allowed near windows, no one except the immediate family is to know he is alive, and the house must always look as though no third child exists, even during the day when the entire neighborhood is at work. One day, after six months of feeling as a prisoner inside his house, Luke catches a glimpse of a girl in a window next door in a house that already has two children, both boys. After he is sure of what he sees, he sneaks into her house and begins to form a great friendship with this other third child. Luke becomes very interested in what she knows about the Population Police whose job it is to "get rid of" third children. Jen is planning a rally in Washington for third children and Luke has to make the decision whether to go or remain in hiding. Deciding to meet Jen and his subsequent decision whether to go to the rally with her are two decisions that will change both their lives forever.
Response: This book actually frightened me. It really made me think about things that could happen if countries allow radicals to take over. I think the most frightening part about this book is when readers think about history and the insane people who have been able to gain control over entire countries, like Hitler and Stalin, for example. They absolutely controlled everything their people did and were capable, and showed that through their actions, of mass hatred and genocide and were successful in carrying out their horrific plans. When one reviews the history of the world we live in, this story does not seem so far-fetched. In fact, it seems plausible. China already frowns upon second children and female children in their nation. Certainly, their restrictions are not this vast, but who can say they will not come to that in the future? I believe this book does delve deeply into what can happen and how rapidly it can occur when people become frightened and do not take into consideration the people who run their government. Some countries have experienced that kind of take-over, so all nations should be careful of this and America should watch other countries, as well as our own, to ensure that they/we do not fall victim to such governmental actions.
Some aspects of the book that really make one think:
Luke new his family was only trying to protect him with their hiding him and everything related to his being a part of their family, but still he longed to not be a shadow child. He always wondered “What if a family with just one kid moved in behind them, and he sneaked into their house and pretended to be their second child?”(32). He knew it would never happen, but nonetheless he wondered how different his life might have been if he were not “among the hidden.” He was never able to attend school since he was a shadow child, but his younger years were spent in the house with his mother, a homemaker. He learned a lot from her and, although he was not allowed to do certain things his brothers were, everything was not terrible until his father had to see the woods behind their house to the government so that it could become a development. After that Luke was not allowed out of his house, or even into the kitchen, having to sit on the stair to eat, not being allowed to sit at the table with his family, so that non of the neighbors would be suspicious.
He was so alone because of his situation that one day he felt things were safe in the neighborhood and knew the shades were down in the house, so he took up cooking and cleaning. “Why, he could do this every day. He’d never considered housework or cooking particularly thrilling before…but it was better than nothing (39). This teenager is so secluded from everything that something most of us cannot stand—housework—is something he now finds enjoyable. This proves just how horrible his life is being a shadow child. No normal teenager would likely ever consider this exciting, but this shadow child does.
Meeting Jen was a turning point in Luke’s life. She knew that being among the living was not the same thing as being among the hidden, but she was still very different from him. She uses the computer, goes shopping at the mall with her mom (disguised as the mother’s niece with a fake ID card) and does all kinds of things that Luke has never been able to do. When they meet and Jen tells him of her plot to march to Washington and gain rights for all shadow children. Luke wants to go, but is too afraid. His choice not to attend is bittersweet, since Jen is shot, along with 40 other children, at their rally. “And we couldn’t even bury her in the family plot. Couldn’t take a bereavement day off work. Couldn’t tell anyone why we’re going around with red eyes and aching hearts. No—we just had to pretend we were the same family of four we’d always been” (128). This is the epitome of sadness because the family never gets any time to grieve for their daughter. The reaction to this situation shows the government’s cruelty and inhumanity.
This author forgets nothing when it comes to her descriptions and explanations of what this situation would be like. Her attention to detail is almost too frightening because it is seems so very real! Her careful attention to detail is amazing because she always makes sure to include how Luke feels and why he feels that way. Her descriptions are so vivid that readers automatically feel as though they are Luke and are experiencing his terrible situation too.
One of the best symbolic examples of Margaret Peterson Haddix's attention to detail is her description of what Luke knows will happen when someone knocks on the door during supper one night. On this night Luke “knew without watching that Mother would take his plate from the table and hide it in a cupboard, would slide his chair back into the corner so it looked like an unneeded spare. In three seconds shoe would hide all evidence that Luke existed, just in time to step to the door and offer a weary smile to the fertilizer salesman or the Government inspector or whomever else had come to interrupt their supper” (5).
Another reason this book is so very powerful is because Luke longs for the things that we take for granted. He cannot go outside, look out a window, walk down the street, drive a car, date, go to school, have friends outside his family, see other people, etc. This book really makes readers re-examine how special even the minute aspects of his/her life really are.
Teaching Connections: *The asterisk on the age-appropriateness of this work is because I think this story definitely has the potential to frighten younger children. By the 4th grade they should be able to handle this topic, but teachers should be aware that the writer of this book really does make readers think about this situation as well as gives them great insight into Luke's emotions.
The following are several questions that a teacher could ask her students to help them think about this novel.
Why would someone write this?
In what country do you think this book is set?
Do you think this is happening right now is some country somewhere in the world?
Do you think this could ever happen here? Why or why not?
Jen tells Luke that “‘The Government’s been trying to force everyone…to become vegetarians…something about vegetables being more efficient…farmers have to use a lot more land to produce one pound of meat than to produce a pound of—what’s it called?—soybeans’” (80) and that “the Government began rationing food, only allowing people to have 1,500 calories a day” (92). What effect might these actions have on the health of the population? Would restricting calories and having people watch their diets and become vegetarians make them healthier and, thus, live longer? If this is true, is the government not increasing lifespan and, thus, making things worse for shadow children by increasing the lifespan of those alive, which makes the population need even fewer children to be born?
What is another way that Jen could have gotten help for shadow children such as herself without rallying in Washington? Would this other way have been less dangerous? What do you think the outcome would be for this action? Do you believe the government would have responded differently?
Would you have taken the fake ID, as Luke did, or tried to remain with your family?
So you think that the Governmental program was a scam and there was not ever a scarcity of food? If yes, why would the government do this?
So you think that certain governments follow an unspoken moral code, yet others do not?
What do you think is in Luke’s future?
(The teacher could make all of these questions a writing assignment, or discuss them all in class and have only the last one be a writing assignment due the day following the class discussion of the book.)
(Image retrieved from http://www.inlyschool.net/summer_reading/BookImages1-5/Bridging-Fluent/AmongtheHidden.jpg on 17 April 2008).
Written by: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Cover illustrations by: Cliff Nielsen
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in 1998 in NY
Genre: Science Fiction
Ages: Grades 4-8* (see Teaching Connections)
Summary: This work is set in the future in an undisclosed formerly democratic nation that has become a totalitarian regime. While the democracy was in power, famine struck and riots ensued. Finally, the government was overthrown because people were so "hungry" for a change in politics because of their literal hunger. They gave in to anyone who seemed he could help--no matter how radical the solution. One man said he would create a land with "law and order and food for all" (135) and he came into power. His solution was to restrict nearly everything and have total power residing in the government. The most restricted element of this society was children--third children. If a family had a third child that child was not to be seen or heard from--ever! The government said there just was not enough food to go around, so the population had to be decreased dramatically and rapidly. Shadow child, or third child, is rarely, if ever, allowed outside, is never allowed near windows, no one except the immediate family is to know he is alive, and the house must always look as though no third child exists, even during the day when the entire neighborhood is at work. One day, after six months of feeling as a prisoner inside his house, Luke catches a glimpse of a girl in a window next door in a house that already has two children, both boys. After he is sure of what he sees, he sneaks into her house and begins to form a great friendship with this other third child. Luke becomes very interested in what she knows about the Population Police whose job it is to "get rid of" third children. Jen is planning a rally in Washington for third children and Luke has to make the decision whether to go or remain in hiding. Deciding to meet Jen and his subsequent decision whether to go to the rally with her are two decisions that will change both their lives forever.
Response: This book actually frightened me. It really made me think about things that could happen if countries allow radicals to take over. I think the most frightening part about this book is when readers think about history and the insane people who have been able to gain control over entire countries, like Hitler and Stalin, for example. They absolutely controlled everything their people did and were capable, and showed that through their actions, of mass hatred and genocide and were successful in carrying out their horrific plans. When one reviews the history of the world we live in, this story does not seem so far-fetched. In fact, it seems plausible. China already frowns upon second children and female children in their nation. Certainly, their restrictions are not this vast, but who can say they will not come to that in the future? I believe this book does delve deeply into what can happen and how rapidly it can occur when people become frightened and do not take into consideration the people who run their government. Some countries have experienced that kind of take-over, so all nations should be careful of this and America should watch other countries, as well as our own, to ensure that they/we do not fall victim to such governmental actions.
Some aspects of the book that really make one think:
Luke new his family was only trying to protect him with their hiding him and everything related to his being a part of their family, but still he longed to not be a shadow child. He always wondered “What if a family with just one kid moved in behind them, and he sneaked into their house and pretended to be their second child?”(32). He knew it would never happen, but nonetheless he wondered how different his life might have been if he were not “among the hidden.” He was never able to attend school since he was a shadow child, but his younger years were spent in the house with his mother, a homemaker. He learned a lot from her and, although he was not allowed to do certain things his brothers were, everything was not terrible until his father had to see the woods behind their house to the government so that it could become a development. After that Luke was not allowed out of his house, or even into the kitchen, having to sit on the stair to eat, not being allowed to sit at the table with his family, so that non of the neighbors would be suspicious.
He was so alone because of his situation that one day he felt things were safe in the neighborhood and knew the shades were down in the house, so he took up cooking and cleaning. “Why, he could do this every day. He’d never considered housework or cooking particularly thrilling before…but it was better than nothing (39). This teenager is so secluded from everything that something most of us cannot stand—housework—is something he now finds enjoyable. This proves just how horrible his life is being a shadow child. No normal teenager would likely ever consider this exciting, but this shadow child does.
Meeting Jen was a turning point in Luke’s life. She knew that being among the living was not the same thing as being among the hidden, but she was still very different from him. She uses the computer, goes shopping at the mall with her mom (disguised as the mother’s niece with a fake ID card) and does all kinds of things that Luke has never been able to do. When they meet and Jen tells him of her plot to march to Washington and gain rights for all shadow children. Luke wants to go, but is too afraid. His choice not to attend is bittersweet, since Jen is shot, along with 40 other children, at their rally. “And we couldn’t even bury her in the family plot. Couldn’t take a bereavement day off work. Couldn’t tell anyone why we’re going around with red eyes and aching hearts. No—we just had to pretend we were the same family of four we’d always been” (128). This is the epitome of sadness because the family never gets any time to grieve for their daughter. The reaction to this situation shows the government’s cruelty and inhumanity.
This author forgets nothing when it comes to her descriptions and explanations of what this situation would be like. Her attention to detail is almost too frightening because it is seems so very real! Her careful attention to detail is amazing because she always makes sure to include how Luke feels and why he feels that way. Her descriptions are so vivid that readers automatically feel as though they are Luke and are experiencing his terrible situation too.
One of the best symbolic examples of Margaret Peterson Haddix's attention to detail is her description of what Luke knows will happen when someone knocks on the door during supper one night. On this night Luke “knew without watching that Mother would take his plate from the table and hide it in a cupboard, would slide his chair back into the corner so it looked like an unneeded spare. In three seconds shoe would hide all evidence that Luke existed, just in time to step to the door and offer a weary smile to the fertilizer salesman or the Government inspector or whomever else had come to interrupt their supper” (5).
Another reason this book is so very powerful is because Luke longs for the things that we take for granted. He cannot go outside, look out a window, walk down the street, drive a car, date, go to school, have friends outside his family, see other people, etc. This book really makes readers re-examine how special even the minute aspects of his/her life really are.
Teaching Connections: *The asterisk on the age-appropriateness of this work is because I think this story definitely has the potential to frighten younger children. By the 4th grade they should be able to handle this topic, but teachers should be aware that the writer of this book really does make readers think about this situation as well as gives them great insight into Luke's emotions.
The following are several questions that a teacher could ask her students to help them think about this novel.
Why would someone write this?
In what country do you think this book is set?
Do you think this is happening right now is some country somewhere in the world?
Do you think this could ever happen here? Why or why not?
Jen tells Luke that “‘The Government’s been trying to force everyone…to become vegetarians…something about vegetables being more efficient…farmers have to use a lot more land to produce one pound of meat than to produce a pound of—what’s it called?—soybeans’” (80) and that “the Government began rationing food, only allowing people to have 1,500 calories a day” (92). What effect might these actions have on the health of the population? Would restricting calories and having people watch their diets and become vegetarians make them healthier and, thus, live longer? If this is true, is the government not increasing lifespan and, thus, making things worse for shadow children by increasing the lifespan of those alive, which makes the population need even fewer children to be born?
What is another way that Jen could have gotten help for shadow children such as herself without rallying in Washington? Would this other way have been less dangerous? What do you think the outcome would be for this action? Do you believe the government would have responded differently?
Would you have taken the fake ID, as Luke did, or tried to remain with your family?
So you think that the Governmental program was a scam and there was not ever a scarcity of food? If yes, why would the government do this?
So you think that certain governments follow an unspoken moral code, yet others do not?
What do you think is in Luke’s future?
(The teacher could make all of these questions a writing assignment, or discuss them all in class and have only the last one be a writing assignment due the day following the class discussion of the book.)
(Image retrieved from http://www.inlyschool.net/summer_reading/BookImages1-5/Bridging-Fluent/AmongtheHidden.jpg on 17 April 2008).
1 comment:
Thank you for posting such a thorough and thought-provoking response. Please be sure to read Lois Lowry's The Giver. There are many connections...this book is daunting because of the "possibilities" it presents. Some might add, it is disturbing...
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