Book Series: The Shadow Children Series

Luke Garner is a third-born in a restrictive society that allows only two children per family. Risking his life, he came out of hiding to fight against the Population Police laws. Now, in the final volume of Margaret Peterson Haddix’s Shadow Children series, Luke inadvertently sets off a rebellion that results in the overthrow of the government. The people are finally free. But who is in charge? And will this new freedom be everything they’d hoped?

“Fans of the series won’t be disappointed.”
—School Library Journal

The Population Police are gaining more and more power, and illegal third-borns are in increasing danger. Young Matthias finds himself caught in the cross fire between the Population Police and the rebels–and unwittingly ends up saving the life of a Population Police officer.

By way of reward, the officer takes Matthias to the luxury of Population Police headquarters to train him to become one of their own. There, among his most feared enemies, Matthias encounters Nina, another illegal third-born, who enlists his help in a plot to undermine the Population Police. But Matthias is under constant scrutiny, he has no idea whom he can trust, and he’s mourning the loss of his friends Percy and Alia. What can one boy do against a wicked bureaucracy?

“The brisk, efficient pacing facilitated by occasionally abrupt plot turns is precisely what has cemented Haddix’s strong following among both avid and reluctant readers. Series fans and newcomers alike will devour this whole.”
—Booklist

In the aftermath of a crisis that threatens the safety of all shadow children—illegal third-borns in a society that allows only two children per family—Trey’s friends expect him to take charge—a function he doesn’t want or think he can do.

Trey’s new role leads him to travel with Luke Garner’s brother, Mark, to Population Police headquarters. There he impersonates an officer to try to rescue Luke, who has been taken prisoner. The nonstop adventure puts all three boys in danger and risks exposing the underground movement to help all shadow children.

“A fast and wild ride that will appeal to reluctant readers. Once again, Haddix makes real how hard ordinary and not-so-ordinary actions would be for kids who’ve spent most of their lives hidden away.”
—School Library Journal

“Trey makes an interesting, sympathetic protagonist, reflective about his past, convincing in his outlook, and fundamentally alone even among his allies.”
—Booklist

As a third child in a society that allows only two children per family, Luke Garner was in hiding for the first twelve years of his life. Then he was given the freedom of an identity card that had belonged to Lee Grant, a Baron (a member of the highest class of society), and was sent to boarding school as Lee. But now, just when things are finally starting to go right, Lee’s little brother, Smits, arrives at school, and Luke finds himself caught in a web of lies that gets more complex with every passing day–and possibly even lethal. Can Luke trust the grief-stricken Smits to keep Luke’s secret? And can he trust Smits’s menacing bodyguard, Oscar?

Luke finds that living among the Barons puts him in the deadliest danger he has ever faced.

“Serious fans of the books won’t be disappointed; there’s plenty of suspense, and there are lots of thrilling twists and turns.”
—Booklist

Nina Idi—a third child in a society where families are allowed only two children–has been betrayed by the boy she loved, and arrested by the Population Police for exposing other alleged third children. Angry and confused, Nina knows only one thing for sure: She is innocent of the charges. But now she is faced with the most difficult choice of her life: Get three other prisoners to admit they are shadow children and be spared herself, or refuse to cooperate and be killed.
The options are clear. The choice, Nina discovers, is not….

“Haddix is a superb storyteller and her view of a future world short of food that allows only two children per family is both scary and plausible.”
—School Library Journal

“The author delivers more than enough suspense to keep fans hooked and to intrigue new recruits as well.”
—Publishers Weekly

Luke Garner is an illegal third child. All his life has been spent in hiding. Now, for the first time, Luke is living among others. He has assumed a deceased boy’s identity and is attending Hendricks School for Boys, a windowless building with cruel classmates and oblivious teachers. Luke knows he has to blend in, but he lives in constant fear that his behavior will betray him. Then one day Luke discovers a door to the outside. He knows that beyond the walls of Hendricks lie the secrets he is desperate to uncover. What he doesn’t know is whom he can trust–and where the answers to his questions may lead him…

“Luke and his experiences are believable in the appealing, simple futuristic story. Kids who’ve read the first book will welcome this one.”
—Booklist

Luke has never been to school. He’s never had a birthday party, or gone to a friend’s house for an overnight. In fact, Luke has never had a friend.

Luke is one of the shadow children, a third child forbidden by the Population Police. He’s lived his entire life in hiding, and now, with a new housing development replacing the woods next to his family’s farm, he is no longer even allowed to go outside.

Then, one day Luke sees a girl’s face in the window of a house where he knows two other children already live. Finally, he’s met a shadow child like himself. Jen is willing to risk everything to come out of the shadows–does Luke dare to become involved in her dangerous plan? Can he afford not to?

“A chilling and intelligent novel.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“As in Haddix’s Running Out of Time (S & S, 1995), the loss of free will is the fundamental theme of an exciting and compelling story of one young person defying authority and the odds to make a difference. Readers will be captivated by Luke’s predicament and his reactions to it.”
—School Library Journal