Shadow Children Books in Order
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🎧 Listen to Among the Hidden on Audible
In the Shadow Children series by Margaret Peterson Haddix, the stories explore a dystopian society where families are limited to two children, and third children live in hiding or under false identities to avoid persecution by the Population Police. The series follows the experiences of third children as they navigate secret lives, confront systemic oppression, and grapple with identity and survival. Central themes include the struggle for freedom, the moral complexities of deception, and the personal costs of living in a repressive regime.
Books in this series
Ordered by first publication where known. The official numbering for this series is incomplete in our sources, so we don't show series numbers we can't verify.
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Buy on Amazon1998 · Margaret Peterson Haddix
Twelve-year-old Luke Garner lives as a shadow child in a future where strict measures have been taken to control overpopulation. He feels invisible…
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Buy on Amazon2001 · Margaret Peterson Haddix
In a future where the law limits families to two children, third-born Luke has lived in hiding for twelve years. He finally leaves his sheltered life…
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Buy on Amazon2002 · Margaret Peterson Haddix
In a society permitting only two children per family on penalty of death, third children hide or live under false identities. Nina Idi was arrested…
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2002 · Margaret Peterson Haddix
Among the Betrayed is a 2002 novel by Margaret Peterson Haddix that explores a future society in which drastic measures have been implemented to…
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Buy on Amazon2002 · Margaret Peterson Haddix
Luke Garner is terrified as, out of hiding for the first time, he fears his classmates will discover he is a third child passing as the recently…
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Buy on Amazon2003 · Margaret Peterson Haddix
In a future world marked by false identities, government deception, and constant danger, Luke is drawn to the younger brother of the boy whose name…
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Buy on Amazon2004 · Margaret Peterson Haddix
Trey may have saved Luke's life, but he still thinks of himself as a coward who can barely stand to be outdoors. When Trey learns Luke has been taken…
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Buy on Amazon2005 · Margaret Peterson Haddix
This book is part of the Shadow Children sequel series. A group of shadow children decide to work with the population police to save as many shadow…
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Buy on Amazon2006 · Margaret Peterson Haddix
In this 2006 novel by Margaret Peterson Haddix, thirteen-year-old Luke Garner unwittingly sets off a rebellion that sweeps the country and ousts the…
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Frequently asked questions
What order should I read the Shadow Children books in?
Read them in publication order — the list above is sorted by first publication where known, starting with “Among the Hidden”.
How many books are in the Shadow Children series?
We list 9 books by Margaret Peterson Haddix , published between 1998–2006.
Where can I buy the Shadow Children books?
Each title above links to Amazon. See our affiliate disclosure.
More series like Shadow Children
Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted a wrong order, a missing book, or any other mistake? and we'll correct it.