Customer Reviews

Shadow Children Boxed Set: Among the Hidden, Among the Impostors, Among the Betrayed, and Among the Barons

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

My 9-year-old daughter introduced me to this series, saying I had to read them. Well, I did, I'm now near the end of book 5, and they're riveting. The plot is well-written, unpredictable, tense and believable. I especially appreciate how Haddix depicts the struggles these kids go through as they make their decisions on how to act, and how ultimately they make the right choices. Not always, and that is shown as well. It is certainly written for young readers, so goes very fast for an adult reading, but thoroughly enjoyable. I keep wondering why nobody has made movies out of Haddix's books? This would be a great one. Don't push it aside thinking "It's a kid book." Give it a chance.

The Shadow Chidren series may be the modern alternative to The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and Cherry Ames. The plot of each book-there are more than the four books of the boxed set-is captivating, as is the overall adventuresome goal of the series. My ten year old granddaughter introduced me to the Shadow Children after she had completed the first book. I both purchased and read all the books before giving them to her to make certain that all is wholesome. Parents and/or prospective readers be assured that the Shadow Children series will be enjoyed by everyone. Then, the variety of other books by Haddix will be enjoyed as well.

Yeah I am only 12 but these books I still love<3<3 they are exciting thrilling and most of all my favorite part about them is you dont want to put them down!!! I recomend these books 100 percent to any reader who is ready for adventure!

-;-Sammy-;-

Great writing - very vivid images - very ingrossing stories. I loved the books. But I am 47 years old. If you wouldn't let your kids watch an R rated movie, think hard before you let them read these books.

These books are much more realistic and frightening than would be appropriate for children. And the messages are terrifying. In the first book of the series, the protagonist is 'tested' by 'good adults' with fear and intimidation. 'Bad children' are killed. Errors are punished with death. I figured the sadness would let up as the book series continued, but it doesn't.

This is heavy stuff, even for an adult, let alone a child. I think the author is gifted, and the books are well written - but not for kids. Please read these and think about them from a child's perspective before you let your kids read them.

Among the Hidden and its sequels are among the hottest books in my classroom library. While the reading level is relatively low (4th or 5th grade), it is of high interest to students up through about 9th grade. These are great books for reluctant readers, especially boys, but girls like them, too. The premise is interesting, there is action and suspense, and they are well written. If you are looking for a great read-aloud for your classroom or a good book for a younger teenage reader, I highly recommend this series. In fact, I think even adults would like them...a great example of the best genre of books today - adolescent literature.

I first found this series while looking for books to use in a Junior High lit. class. However, I found them just as gripping as the kids did! Since then, I have also used them at the high school level. They are an easy read, and therefore approachable to most reading levels, and they have great themes for discussion. This is one of those book series that can be read and enjoyed by many ages on different levels. This series is suitable to be read alone, in a group, or with your child. Check it out!

Parents should reivew this book before allowing children under 12 to read. Don't believe all the positive reviews. Yes, these books are very well written, and bring to mind vivid images. But, are these the kind of images for young minds? Images of adults looking for 'illegal' children to capture and kill along with the families that harbor them. Images of the Poplulation Police searching private homes and mass killing of illegal children. The children in this series live in daily fear for their lives with little to no hope of ever being a part of society. Even their 'friends' could be enemies. They can trust no one. Adults who are their 'friends' abuse the children to be sure of their loyalty. It's seven books of dark, disturbing, death and betrayal.

These books are in a real-life setting with cell phones and internet. Unlike Harry Potter and the Eragon-Brisanger Series', The Shadow Children series cannot be dismissed as fantasy. Ms. Haddix should use her exceptional writing ability and pour it into adult novels.

I ordered this book set just to push my spending over $25 for free shipping. What a pleasant surprise! As a future elementary educator, these books present a challenging view of ethics in a world where families can have only two children. If there is a third child (shadow children), they are executed. With short chapters, kids will enjoy the page turning suspense as these "shadow children" find a way to survive in the world.

At first glance, these books seem like just another young-adult sci-fi series. However, they are so well written and the concept is so believable that the series truly stands apart from the rest. Haddix has created characters that I can relate with (and I'm 22!). Discussions about the first three books with other college students revealed that all of us were swept away and could not put down the stories - some of us even gave up sleep to finish because we couldn't put them down!
Overall, I would recommend this series to any gender, any age, anywhere.

these books are awsome, at first i was forced to read one for a school report but as soon as i picked it up i could not put it down and i finished it that day, now i have read the first three books at least 4 times and i am starting the fourth one, they are just truly amazing