Among the Hidden is a young adult novel that can be used to discuss a number of provocative and relevant social issues. The population control laws in the story were supposedly necessary to reduce a population that was growing more rapidly than the country's food supply. Luke's story can lead to an interesting discussion of population growth, allocation of the world's supply of oil and other resources, and the production and distribution of agricultural products. The right to privacy is not a feature of Luke's world. This government employs both censorship and propaganda to control the lives of its citizens, and the use of media and technology both to monitor and to manipulate behavior raises questions about these features of life in contemporary America. Luke and Jen's behaviors and aspirations challenge gender roles and stereotypes throughout the novel. Jen adopts a tough and prickly exterior and...