The Shadow Children Series - 7 Books in 7 Days!

I first inhaled The Shadow Children sequence, written by Margaret Peterson Haddix, five years ago when only the first five books had been published. The last two books were published in 2005 and 2006, but I was busy having babies then - who had time to read? I knew that if I was going to do justice to the series, I'd have to read them again in sequential order. I read all seven books in seven days!

Also, I didn't want to recommend the whole series without reading all of it. I didn't want there to be any "surprises" in the last two books that made me regret my recommendation. I can happily say that I have no reservations whatsoever in recommending these books to boys and girls alike! In fact, just this school year, one of my 6th grade boys started reading this series, and he got hooked.

In the first book of the sequence, we meet the main character, Luke Garner. Luke is a third child. The Government decided that no family is to have more than two children because there has been a lengthy and severe drought, and the concern is that there will not be enough food for everyone in the country. So a new law was passed that makes Luke Garner and every third, fourth, or fifth child an illegal.

Luke is forced to hide from the world in his family's attic. It wasn't so bad at first. The Garners lived in the country, away from most people, and that meant at times Luke could go outside and play in his father's fields or barn. But now the forest surrounding the farm has been taken by the Government and is being cut down for new housing developments. Luke must remain indoors at all times.

Luke visits the outside by sneaking peeks out a vent in the attic. He learns all of the routines of his neighbors so well that one day he notices something that shouldn't be. He knows he's found another shadow child! When Luke gets up the courage to run over to the house next door, he meets Jen, a girl who has a plan liberate the shadow children. It sounds dangerous, and Luke just can't be a part of it.

But Jen is determined to make her plan work - no matter what the cost! Over the course of the rest of the books, Luke wonders if it was wrong of him not to join Jen in her quest for freedom. He looks for ways that he also can help other third children while at the same time protecting his family and remaining true to what he believes.

Luke's journey starts with his getting a fake ID, continues with him going to a boarding school, becomes rocky when he must impersonate the boy whose name he now uses, and reaches a precarious point when he actually joins the very group that seeks to stamp out illegal children everywhere! Often we find him struggling with his former inclinations to hide, to stay where it is safe and comfortable. But in the end, he must choose which life he wants to live!

---

Throughout the story, we meet other illegals - some of which become the main characters of certain books in the series. It's an interesting feature. Whereas I enjoyed the story in its entirety, Book Seven was the least engaging - which is disappointing since that is the final taste left in your mouth! But on the whole, this is reading worth checking out - take my word for it - or don't take my word for it and read them yourself - just don't wait several years before finishing them!