Among the Hidden is a children's novel which takes place in a future society that has taken extreme steps to control the United States' rapidly growing population. Each family is only allowed to have two children, but some families rebel with having a third "shadow" child. Luke Garner is one of these third children, and the story follows his life as he copes with loneliness and the challenges of living a hidden life. Luke makes friends with Jen, another shadow child, who changes his life when she makes him believe there is another way to live.