Among the Hidden

Luke’s country is never named, but its pre-famine history shares many similarities with modern developed countries. How does this contribute to the broader idea that government overreach can happen anywhere?

Jen believes that the government is not competent enough to maintain surveillance of every citizen to enforce the Population Law. If this book took place in modern day United States, do you believe Jen would be correct about this belief? Why or why not?

In Chapter 2, Luke believes “[h]e was special. He was secret. He belonged at home” (11). How does Luke’s attitude about his home-bound life change throughout the book, and what caused this shift in his perspective?

At the beginning of the book, before Luke becomes completely confined to the attic, do you believe he would have taken the opportunity to have a fake ID, if offered to him? Consider how circumstances change for Luke and the things he learns about society after he meets Jen.

Propaganda plays an important role in motivating and influencing the characters’ decisions. Do you believe that all propaganda is bad, or do you believe there is such thing as good propaganda? Support your answer with examples from the text.

Luke believes he handles staying hidden better than anyone in his family. Do you believe you would handle Luke’s situation better than others you know? Why or why not?

Jen’s chatroom has around eight hundred shadow children. She explains that Barons and government officials often break the law, but Luke’s family is neither. Why do you believe ordinary, unprivileged families might choose to have a third child despite the law?

Jen’s dad explains he got Jen’s body back as a special privilege of being a government official. What do you believe happened to the families of the murdered children who did not receive the bodies?