Shadow Children Series
Margaret Peterson Haddix and Teen Fiction Go Hand in hand
Margaret Peterson Haddix's Shadow Children series is currently captivating many young adults with all of the "Among" titles proving to be page-turning reads.
Margaret Peterson Haddix has created a seven-book series for young adults that will appeal to both girls and boys between the ages of 12 and 16. Haddix explores the world of 'shadow children' -- children born to parents who already have the maximum number of offspring allowed by law. These children are forced to live in hiding. This series gives these children a voice.
Haddix’s Seven-Book Series
The seven books in this series are the following:
· Among the Hidden
· Among the Imposters
· Among the Betrayed
· Among the Barons
· Among the Brave
· Among the Enemy
· Among the Free
The Characters
Each book follows various shadow children, starting with Luke Garner, in their fight to have a voice and an identity as they struggle to avoid the dreaded Population Police. Throughout the series, Luke remains the main character, although the focus shifts off of Luke and onto his other shadow friends, Luke still remains and integral character who ties the characters and the series into one cohesive and exciting unit. Luke’s first contact with another shadow child is with Jen Talbot, whose parents are Barons, of the elite class. The further into the books the reader goes, the more the reader realizes Mr. Talbot is actually a very powerful member of the Baron class, adding an addition level of excitement and intrigue.
Readers love following Luke through the first book, as he discovers that he is not alone as an invisible shadow child, and that there are other options for him other than living out the rest of his live in hiding. As the series progresses and Luke continues to successfully avoid the Population Police, other shadow children are introduced. Further into the series, the focus often shifts to these friends. Haddix does a fantastic job of creating a series with enough unity to be cohesive, yet creating enough diversity to keep the reader’s interest.
Why Read This Series?
The Shadow Children series is not only a great adventure series, sure to grab the attention of an avid reader, but is also a series that has effectively proven to pull the non-readers in and has allowed many to find their first positive experience with reading. The books are short enough (the first four books under 200 words and the last three still under 250 words) to seem manageable to a non-reader, and many students have expressed how Haddix’s writing style truly makes it feel as if they are watching the events unfold in a movie.
Now that the series is complete, readers may find it hard to put any of these books down, but do not fear! Try another one of Haddix’s many young adult novels: Running Out of Time, Just Ella, Double Identity, or her new series The Missing premiering in April of 2008 with the first book, Found.
Where To Find These?
Margaret Peterson Haddix's Shadow Children series can be found at most large bookstores, and also online. All of the books in the series are published through Simon and Schuster from 1998-2006 (ISBN: 0689033672).
