Among the Hidden is a young adult novel published in 1998. The book depicts a dystopian society in the not-too-distant future in which it is illegal for families to have more than two children. Illegal third children, like Luke Gardner, must spend their lives in hiding, lest they fall into the hands of the evil, shadowy government.
This book is the first in a seven-part series depicting the efforts of so-called Shadow Children and their allies to fight back against these oppressive, inhumane laws. It addresses vital themes of family life, the struggles of growing up, and the difficulty of resisting a corrupt government.
The book received positive reviews from the Horn Book Guide and Kirkus Reviews, and it was chosen as an American Library Association's pick for Best Books for Young Adults. However, many reviews have criticized the cliche and unsatisfying ending of the book, as well as the stiffness of the characters.
