This book is the first book of the series Shadow Children. I never really had interest in reading this genre. I'm more fascinated in reading fiction books specially the famous Harry Potter Series. But when I finished reading the book, i wanted to read the next book. This book is about Luke, a third child in their family. In their country, third child are forbidden by the Population Police. All of the third children are hidden by their family. This book is about how they struggled to find a way for the government to accept them and give them their freedom.
In our first book discussion, i am the passage speaker, and
I found these four lines that I think that has a significant impact to the characters in the story. These lines showed how the characters the third children would really wanted to get out of the dark and show to the public that they are existing. The third children of the family are hidden by their parents because if they would be caught by the Population Control, they would kill without haste the third children.
Here are the lines that really touched me because of their desire to be accepted and be acknowledged by the public and especially by the government.
· Hope doesn’t mean anything; action is the only thing that counts.
In this line, the speaker is expressing that they should have their actions to protest to the government so that they would be accepted.
· I want to know why I’m different. I want to know why I hide.
In this line, the speaker is asking about what is really the reason that they hide. They have not done anything wrong but why are they hiding.
· We aren’t fake. We shouldn’t have to hide.
The third children have understood that they also have the right to be accepted by the public because they are also human and ought to be respected.
· I want to be me and go out like anybody else.
The speaker really wanted to live like a normal person. No need of hiding from the government. This line really shows their wish to be accepted and be loved like anybody else. Have the same benefit from nature and from the government.
These lines really show their struggle to be accepted by the government.
Here are the works of my other group mates:
Character Captain
A child born in a place that has two child policy and the subjection to the rule will surely receive punishment which is death. Luke Garner, the third child of the Garner’s. His life is always at risk since it is obvious that his birth is against the rule of the country. Luke grew up inside there home not given the opportunity to explore outside there house. Because his parent’s are afraid that Luke will be discover by the government police. He is even not allowed to go near the window because somebody might see him. His youth is not fulfilling because his not free but despite the situation he keeps on dreaming that someday, somehow he will be free.
Characters of Luke Garner that are admirable are:
Obedient- in the whole duration of the novel. Luke shows temperance in all things that he wants to do. Following deal for him because he knew that it is also for his own good and safeties. Smart- though he is not given the opportunity to go to school because his birth is a secret his mother taught him all the basic things a small child should learn like reading and writing. And though he is not enrolling in a school his aspiration to learn never stop. In fact, he already finish reading all the books in there house. Curious- he is not going to school and he is not allowed to explore outside. And so he is so curious in all the things that are happening around him. And even if he is not allowed to go outside he never stop finding the answer to his questions. Observant- this is one of the admired character of Luke. He is so observant that even if his no exposed outside and was not given the opportunity to mingle with other people he knows how to relate and associate himself to others. And because of his being observant he discovered a shocking secret that leads to the turning point of the story The second character in the story is Jane Baron. Like Luke, she is also a third child but the difference is she is a daughter of a rich family that works in the government. Jane experienced to go outside, to go shopping and even watched movies. Her existence marks a difference in the life of Luke because at last Luke meets a person that is like him.
Characters of Jane Baron that are admirable are:
Strong and brave- her first meeting with Luke was full of excitement. Because instead of becoming afraid that somebody had already knew her existence she instead come out of her room and fight Luke with his antics. True Friend- Jane is a true person. Though Luke and her status in life are far different he still treated Luke fairly. And she even hid Luke’s existence from her parents. She did not even force Luke to join there rally, instead she accept Luke’s believe and respect his principles in fighting the two child policy. Fighter- She believes that nobody has the right to stop the freedom of every people. She loves freedom and she wants to be known. And through the internet access she led an anti-two child policy. With the help of her parents and other government officials who has a third child. She located and meet many third children. And planned that they must have a rally to show to the government that they disagree on the third child policy. Risk-taker- Jane already knew at the beginning that her plan concerning there shows up to the government, is dangerous to there live. But she continued on her plan and never gives up to hold on her dream that someday she will be given the opportunity to be free. Stubborn- The night before the rally her daddy stopped her and told her that the government will only take there lives. But she never listened and continued on her plans.
The Summary
Luke Gardner, a twelve year old boy, was not able to mingle with other boys of his age except his two older brothers, Matthew and Mark. He has never been to a birthday party and he has never gone to school all his life. It’s because he is a forbidden child.
The Gardner family lives in a country wherein two children are allowed in the society. Third child is forbidden and was ordered to be killed. This law was due to the scarcity of food supplies in the country. Before, Luke was able to go out of their house. He was able to go to their backyard, to go to the living room, and is free to eat meals with his family. Unfortunately, everything changed when the trees on their backyard were cut down as ordered y the government. Luke was no longer by his parents allowed to go out. He has to stay in the attic and has to eat his meal only in the stairs so no one would see him, even his shadow. These made Luke feel worse. He felt miserable, hopeless, useless, and bored. Every day, his parents would leave to go to work and his brothers would go to school. Luke would be alone in the attic watching the neighbours leave from their big houses to go to their work and school.
One day, when Luke was watching from his window, he discovered something and someone from the ________ house. That day, all his twenty eight neighbours (as Luke had counted every day) were all out. But he saw someone inside the _____ house- a face which seemed new to him. Luke knew that there were only four people in the _____ house- Mr. and Mrs. _____ and their two sons. Luke can’t believe that there is another child in the _____ family, so he made a way to prove what he saw. He made a way to the _______ house and saw Jane. He proved that what he saw was real and that he’s not the only forbidden child existing in their country.
Jane was a third child and of Luke’s age, and a daughter of a baron. Every day, the two would always make a way to meet. They became good friends and this gave happiness to Luke because he knew he was not alone, but the two kept it. Luke learned many things from Jane. He learned why they were forbidden and what will be the consequences if the population police would catch them. But Luke discovered that Jane had connections with many third children, and this surprised Luke. Luke discovered that Jane and the other shadow kids are planning a rally against the government. They wanted to be recognized, accepted, and be legal in the society. But Luke was afraid for he knew that their lives would be at risk. But Kane with the other shadow kids were eager to fight for their right. Almost every day, Jane would convince Luke to go with them, but Luke would not dare. Jane and the other shadow kids had made everything ready for the rally, until that awaited day finally came. Jane and the other shadow kids went to the rally but Luke chose to stay in the attic, until one day the bad news came. Luke was eager to see Jane after the day of rally. He went to Jane’s house, but unfortunately, Jane’s stepdad was the one who’s at home. Luke was caught, but the worse thing was that Luke discovered from him that Jane was killed in the rally. He blamed himself and felt guilty. But the worst thing happened, the population police traced Luke. Jane’s stepdad helped Luke to hide, and finally he gave Luke a fake I.D. Now, Luke would live a new life being Lee Grant.
Vocabulary Enricher
1.Skittish- shy; easily frightened; volatile, vivacious
Today, skittish because of the woods coming down, he scrambled up faster than usual, dashing for the door to the back stairs.
2.Fleecy- woolly; resembling wool
There was a beautiful day unfolding outside, with fleecy clouds in the blue, blue sky, and a mild breeze rustling the grass in the backyard.
3. Reciprocity- action and reaction; in international trade, equal advantages gained by abolition of protective duties.
“Where’s the dictionary? Matthew, look up ‘reciprocity’.
4. Annihilation- to reduce to noting; to destroy
“Since some elements of the over-population crisis were foreseen in the 1800’s, an uninformed observer could only wonder why humankind came so near to total annihilation. But”-
5. Splintering- to make or break into thin pieces
And then he heard a splintering sound from the front of the house.
6. Zucchini- a long green-skinned squash.
The zucchini he’d grown as long as his arm.
7. Sporadically- occurring separately or apart from the others of the same kind
He watched the Sports Family house only sporadically now.
8. Preponderance- to outweigh
Due to the preponderance of such agricultural methods in the cultivation of illegal substances, we order you to cease and desist immediately”
9. Zucchini- a long green-skinned squash
The zucchini he’d grown as long as his arms.
10. Snuggled- to draw close, to hold close
He snuggled tighter against mother.
Discussion Director
1. What if Luke’s secret meeting with Jen got discovered by his family right away? Would he still be drawn into such kind of a dangerous situation?
2. What could have happened if Jen is still alive? Could she plan for another ways to fight for their rights as human?
3. What do you think Luke can do to change history? Do you think he would succeed? Or just be shot like what had happened to Jen?
4. Do you think life would be easier for Luke now that he’s already free from hiding and is living in the name of other person?
5. What are the possible things that await Luke ahead? Could he get the so called “freedom”, or would forever remain among the hidden?
This book really is inspiring. It helped me to know more the value of life and the value of freedom.
They weren’t bad boys they just needed a little firmness for a change.
