I have read this book before, and I enjoyed reading it again. With short books though, I always want more. Luckily, there are about 5 more books in the series! So, if you liked the books, you can continue to read and see what happens to Luke! I still need to read the last 2 books.
I think Luke was as lucky as a shadow child could be until the new housing developments went in. He was able to go outside to work and play and contribute to his family's well-being. I felt that once he was forced to stay inside AND upstairs, he almost disappeared as a person. His father and brothers barely acknowleded him. I think seeing your lack of relationship with your family would be even harder than being alone all day. Luke had NOTHING to look forward to until he met Jen.
Jen and Luke were sooooo different! I wonder how much was their parents doing and how they were raised, and how much was their personalities. Would Luke have been braver if he had been raised in Jen's family? Or would he still have been afraid everytime he was taken out of the house?
This book exhibited the classic Haves and Have Nots scenario. Being with Luke at his farm led me to believe that this took place in the past. The only technology they had was a radio. So when we finally saw Jen's house, and she had the internet, it was quite a shock! The differences between Luke's family and the Barons are unbelievable. It made me think about a common debate...are celebrities given leeway when it comes to the law? I think that in some cases they are, and in some cases they are treated even harsher in order to prove a point. Unfortunately, Jen was not saved due to her family's Baron status.
The most touching part of the book for me was at the very end when Luke's mom spent the last few days at home with him:
They'd played board games and cards, but she'd interrupted every move with, "Do you remember..." or, "I remember..." ... She was filling him up with memories, he knew, for the times when he'd have no one to talk to about his childhood.
What a wonderful mother! Letting Luke start a new life must have been hard, but she knew it was the best path for him. I hope that he will be able to reunite with his family someday.
Here are some more questions for you to think about and/or post a comment about!
*What number child are you? Would you have been a shadow child?
*What would you do all day as a hidden child?
*Would you have risked your life as Jen did, for the good of others?
*Can you think of a solution for the food shortage problem in the book? Do you think there really was a food shortage?
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5 comments:
I like your idea of posting these questions for discussion!
I am a 2nd child, so I would have been "legal", but I have a little sister who would have been a shadow child. But if I were a shadow child, I probably would have liked to read all day, or blog! But that is now. When I as Luke's age, hiding would have been torture!!
I probably wouldn't have risked my life for others like Jen. I won't even pretend that I am that brave. But I wonder if Jen was brave, or stupid. She did end up dead.
I don't think that there was really a food shortage. I just think it was a way for the government to control people. It seems like they were taking away opportunities for more food (like how they made Luke's family get rid of all their pigs,and then wouldn't let them grow stuff in their house).
I also couldn't tell what year it was and I was really suprised that it was modern day. Could something like this ever happen for real? I doubt it, but I thought about it for a second!
I loved Luke's relationship with his mother. She was a good woman and she really loved Luke. I am SO curious if they will ever see each other again! I wonder what their home is like now that Luke is gone...I bet she cries a lot and has to mourn in secret because she can't tell anyone about Luke.
This was a good book and I was sad when it ended. I'm glad that you told me there were more! I'm almost through reading those right now!
I loved these books and my little brother did too. I read them all, as well as the idea.
Haddix also wrote "Just Ella" which I thought was really cute and reminds me of Levines books.
Well, I just finished the entire series and I really liked it. Glad you suggestion this book, Natalie!
Good work finishing all of the books! I'm almost done...one left to go! I hope it ends happily after all of this investment!!! :)
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