Among+the+Hidden



In the setting of the novel, overpopulation has caused an event called "The Famine". Because of this, there is far less food and all of it is monitored by the government. Because of the shortage of food, people are only allowed to have two children.

Luke Garner, a twelve-year-old third child, lives on a farm with his mother, father, and two brothers, Matthew and Mark. As a third child, Luke and his parents are in violation of the law. Luke, as well as all third children, must spend his days hidden or away from public view. The government starts building houses in the woods behind the Garners' house, and Luke is forced to hide inside, in total isolation from the outside world.

While Luke is looking out of a small vent from the attic, with which he can see outside, he sees a shadow of a child in a window of a house that already has two children. He secretly runs over to the house, and meets thirteen-year-old Jen Talbot, another third child.