Luke has had to hide all his life.  He is shadow child that has never gone to school, never had friends, and has never left the family farm.  Luke is a third child that has been forced to live his entire life hiding in the attic from the Population Police.

When the government cuts the woods down around his family home to build housing for the Barons he is absolutely sure he will never smell the fresh air again.  With families moving in all around their farm, Luke finds that he has literally become a prisoner in his own attic.  The only view he has to the outside world are the two vents on each end of the attic.

His daily routine was watching and counting the neighbors to make sure everyone was gone to work or school for the day.  One morning as he was watching he sees a shadow in a window.  He has already counted the number of family members that have left.  Luke is sure he has found another illegal third child just like himself.

When Luke finally gathers his courage to run across the open space between the two homes, he meets Jen.  Jen is planning a big rally so all the shadow children can come out of hiding.  Luke is torn; should he go with Jen or keep hiding in the attic?

 Other Books in this collection by Margaret P Haddix

                       Among the Impostors

                       Among the Betrayed

                       Among the Barons

                       Among the Enemy

                       Among the Brave