📖 Overview
Margaret Peterson Haddix is an American author who has written over 40 books for children and young adults. Her most acclaimed works include the Shadow Children series and The Missing series, both of which blend elements of science fiction with compelling social commentary.
Born in 1964 in Washington Court House, Ohio, Haddix grew up on a farm in a family of avid readers. She graduated from Miami University with degrees in English/journalism, English/Creative writing, and History, launching her career first as a newspaper journalist before transitioning to fiction writing.
The Shadow Children series, published between 1998 and 2006, explores a dystopian society where families are forbidden to have more than two children. The Missing series, released from 2008 to 2015, follows the adventures of children who discover they are important figures from history who were kidnapped and transported through time.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently describe Haddix's books as page-turners with thought-provoking premises. Parents and teachers note her books engage reluctant readers and spark discussions about ethics and social issues.
What readers liked:
- Fast-paced plots that keep kids reading
- Complex moral dilemmas presented in accessible ways
- Strong character development across series
- Clean content suitable for middle grade readers
- Blend of history/sci-fi elements that appeal to both genres' fans
What readers disliked:
- Some find the endings rushed or too neat
- Later books in series can become repetitive
- More advanced readers note plot holes in time travel logistics
- Some say emotional depth is sacrificed for plot momentum
Ratings across platforms:
- Goodreads: Shadow Children series averages 4.2/5 from 250,000+ ratings
- Amazon: Most titles maintain 4.5/5 stars from thousands of reviews
- Common Sense Media: Parent reviews average 4/5, kid reviews 4.5/5
"Gets kids thinking while keeping them entertained" appears frequently in reader feedback.
📚 Books by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Among the Hidden - In a society that allows only two children per family, a third child lives in complete isolation to avoid detection by the Population Police.
Among the Impostors - Luke, a third child, enrolls in a boarding school under a false identity and uncovers dangerous secrets about other students.
Among the Betrayed - Nina, accused of being a Population Police spy, must complete a loyalty test involving other imprisoned third children.
Among the Barons - Luke adjusts to life as a false identity while navigating complex political intrigue among wealthy students.
Among the Brave - Trey ventures alone into the Population Police headquarters to rescue his imprisoned friends.
Among the Enemy - Matthias infiltrates the Population Police after being separated from his friends during an attack.
Among the Free - The final confrontation between the Population Police and the shadow children determines the future of their society.
Claim to Fame - A former child star who can hear what others say about her seeks isolation until supernatural events force her to confront her past.
Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey - Through private journal entries, a high school student reveals her struggling family life to her teacher.
Double Identity - A 12-year-old girl discovers disturbing similarities between herself and her parents' deceased daughter.
Escape from Memory - A teenager undergoes hypnosis at a party and uncovers suppressed memories about her early childhood in another country.
Just Ella - The true story of Cinderella after the ball reveals the reality of palace life and an unwanted engagement.
Running Out of Time - A girl from what she believes is 1840 discovers she's living in a reconstructed historical site in present day.
Turnabout - Two elderly women undergo an experimental treatment to reverse aging but continue getting younger past their prime.
Among the Impostors - Luke, a third child, enrolls in a boarding school under a false identity and uncovers dangerous secrets about other students.
Among the Betrayed - Nina, accused of being a Population Police spy, must complete a loyalty test involving other imprisoned third children.
Among the Barons - Luke adjusts to life as a false identity while navigating complex political intrigue among wealthy students.
Among the Brave - Trey ventures alone into the Population Police headquarters to rescue his imprisoned friends.
Among the Enemy - Matthias infiltrates the Population Police after being separated from his friends during an attack.
Among the Free - The final confrontation between the Population Police and the shadow children determines the future of their society.
Claim to Fame - A former child star who can hear what others say about her seeks isolation until supernatural events force her to confront her past.
Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey - Through private journal entries, a high school student reveals her struggling family life to her teacher.
Double Identity - A 12-year-old girl discovers disturbing similarities between herself and her parents' deceased daughter.
Escape from Memory - A teenager undergoes hypnosis at a party and uncovers suppressed memories about her early childhood in another country.
Just Ella - The true story of Cinderella after the ball reveals the reality of palace life and an unwanted engagement.
Running Out of Time - A girl from what she believes is 1840 discovers she's living in a reconstructed historical site in present day.
Turnabout - Two elderly women undergo an experimental treatment to reverse aging but continue getting younger past their prime.
👥 Similar authors
Gordon Korman
He writes middle-grade series that mix adventure with humor and often feature kids uncovering conspiracies or solving mysteries. His books share Haddix's fast pacing and exploration of young characters facing complex moral situations.
Lois Lowry She writes dystopian fiction that examines social issues through young protagonists, similar to Haddix's Shadow Children series. Her books The Giver and Number the Stars deal with themes of government control and hidden children.
Michael Grant His Gone series features young people dealing with sudden societal changes and supernatural elements. The books contain similar themes to Haddix's work about survival, power structures, and children facing adult responsibilities.
Caroline B. Cooney She writes suspense novels for young readers that often involve time travel and historical elements, similar to Haddix's Missing series. Her books focus on young protagonists uncovering family secrets and confronting moral dilemmas.
Neal Shusterman He creates science fiction series that examine social issues through complex world-building, comparable to Haddix's approach. His Unwind series and Arc of a Scythe series deal with similar themes of population control and governmental authority.
Lois Lowry She writes dystopian fiction that examines social issues through young protagonists, similar to Haddix's Shadow Children series. Her books The Giver and Number the Stars deal with themes of government control and hidden children.
Michael Grant His Gone series features young people dealing with sudden societal changes and supernatural elements. The books contain similar themes to Haddix's work about survival, power structures, and children facing adult responsibilities.
Caroline B. Cooney She writes suspense novels for young readers that often involve time travel and historical elements, similar to Haddix's Missing series. Her books focus on young protagonists uncovering family secrets and confronting moral dilemmas.
Neal Shusterman He creates science fiction series that examine social issues through complex world-building, comparable to Haddix's approach. His Unwind series and Arc of a Scythe series deal with similar themes of population control and governmental authority.