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Quick answer: If your child loved Among the Hidden, read Among the Imposters, Found, The Giver and City of Ember. All follow kids who discover a dangerous truth about their society and try to survive it.
Margaret Peterson Haddix's novel introduces Luke Garner, a third child in a world where families can have only two children. It is the first of the Shadow Children series, and it is fast, clear and perfect for ages 9 to 13. The books below offer similar mixes of suspense, secrets and brave young heroes.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Among the Imposters | Margaret Peterson Haddix | 9-13 | the sequel |
| Found | Margaret Peterson Haddix | 9-13 | more Haddix |
| The Giver | Lois Lowry | 10-14 | classic dystopias |
| Gathering Blue | Lois Lowry | 10-14 | more Lowry |
| The City of Ember | Jeanne DuPrau | 9-13 | underground mysteries |
| The Hunger Games | Suzanne Collins | 12+ | survival fans |
| Uglies | Scott Westerfeld | 12+ | conformity |
| Matched | Ally Condie | 12+ | society and choice |
| Divergent | Veronica Roth | 12+ | factions and identity |
| The Maze Runner | James Dashner | 12+ | mazes and mysteries |
| Unwind | Neal Shusterman | 13+ | ethical dilemmas |
| The House of the Scorpion | Nancy Farmer | 12+ | powerful and dark |
| Legend | Marie Lu | 12+ | dual narrators |
| The Testing | Joelle Charbonneau | 12+ | competitions |
| Ender's Game | Orson Scott Card | 12+ | young geniuses |
1. Among the Imposters by Margaret Peterson Haddix
The next book in the series follows Luke as he goes to boarding school under a false name. Tension rises as he tries to stay hidden.
Best for: the sequel.
2. Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Two boys learn they were kidnapped from the future and sent through time. The first in the Missing series, full of mystery.
Best for: more Haddix.
3. The Giver by Lois Lowry
Jonas lives in a seemingly perfect community and becomes a receiver of memories. A classic that raises big questions.
Best for: classic dystopias.
4. Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
Kira is a young weaver in a community that controls its artists. A quieter companion to The Giver.
Best for: more Lowry.
5. The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
Two kids in an underground city try to solve a mystery as the lights fail. Atmospheric and clever.
Best for: underground mysteries.
6. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Katniss volunteers for a televised fight to the death. Fast and gripping, for older middle schoolers.
Best for: survival fans.
7. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Tally lives in a world where everyone gets surgery at sixteen. A quick read about beauty and control.
Best for: conformity.
8. Matched by Ally Condie
Cassia questions the Society's choice of her perfect match. A sweet and thoughtful dystopia.
Best for: society and choice.
9. Divergent by Veronica Roth
Beatrice must choose a faction in a divided Chicago. Action-packed with a clear structure.
Best for: factions and identity.
10. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
A boy wakes up in a maze with no memory. Tense and quick.
Best for: mazes and mysteries.
11. Unwind by Neal Shusterman
In a future where teens can be harvested for parts, three escape. Thought-provoking and intense.
Best for: ethical dilemmas.
12. The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
A boy is a clone created to provide organs for a drug lord. National Book Award winner.
Best for: powerful and dark.
13. Legend by Marie Lu
A prodigy and a criminal clash in a divided Los Angeles. Fast, with a nice twist.
Best for: dual narrators.
14. The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
Teens compete for a place in college, and the stakes are deadly. A tense, quick dystopia.
Best for: competitions.
15. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
A gifted boy is sent to battle school. Strategy, politics and moral questions.
Best for: young geniuses.
How to Choose
For younger readers who want the next step, start with Among the Imposters, Found or The City of Ember. If your child is ready for classic dystopian fiction, pick The Giver or Gathering Blue. For action and competition, try The Hunger Games, The Testing or Divergent. The House of the Scorpion, Unwind and The Maze Runner are darker, so they suit older readers. Check each book's age range and talk about the themes together. Parents who want to read along will find these books quick, since most are under 250 pages. The Shadow Children books also work well for class discussions about fairness, family and how governments treat people.
Related: Hidden Potential by Adam Grant: Summary and Key Takeaways · 12 Dystopian Books Like the Hunger Games | Best Books to Read Like Hunger Games
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Among the Hidden about?
Luke is a third child hidden in his family's farmhouse until he discovers another hidden child.
How many books are in the Shadow Children series?
There are seven books, starting with Among the Hidden.
What age is Among the Hidden for?
About 9 to 13.
Is the series scary?
It has tension and some dark moments, but it is not graphic.
Is it used in school?
Yes, many teachers use it to discuss freedom and government.
Is Among the Hidden a good book for reluctant readers?
Yes, the short chapters and steady suspense keep pages turning.
Is the series scary?
It has suspense and danger, but nothing graphic.
Which book should come next?
Among the Imposters continues Luke's story directly.
Are there audiobook editions?
Yes, including recordings for the Shadow Children series.
Is it okay for third graders?
Many advanced readers enjoy it, but the themes suit ages 9 and up.
Are there graphic novel versions?
Not to our knowledge; the series is available as paperbacks, e-books and audiobooks.
What themes does Among the Hidden explore?
Freedom, fear, family and the cost of speaking up against unfair laws, all in a story short enough to finish in a day or two.