Among the Barons
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 1st edtion hardcover |
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| Author | Margaret Peterson Haddix |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Cliff Nielsen |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Shadow Children sequence |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster |
| Released | June, 2003 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 192 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-689-83906-5 |
| Preceded by | Among the Betrayed |
| Followed by | Among the Brave |
Among the Barons is a 2004 book by Margaret Haddix, about a time in which drastic measures have been taken to quell overpopulation. It is the fourth of seven novels in the Shadow Children series.
[edit] Plot introduction
The general plot revolves around an overpopulated world and the Government’s procrustean attempts to arrest the symptoms of population growth and scarcity amongst the Earth's resources. In this turmoil, the democratic government has been overthrown and a totalitarian Government has been put in its place. Laws established by the regime prohibit a family from having more than two children (any more will be euthanized).
[edit] Plot summary
Luke Garner has managed to adjust to his new life as Lee Grant, an alias he has adopted since he has come out of hiding, at Hendricks School for Boys. Things change when the Grants, a prominent Baron family who donated the name of their son when he died in a ski accident, decide to send the real Lee's brother, Smithfield a.k.a. Smits, to the school and visit "Lee". However, there is a fire at the school and "Lee" and Smits are called back home by their parents.
Luke is soon caught up in a complicated web of lies in a world where he is completely unprotected from anything that will prove he is an illegal third child. He has no idea who he can trust, especially Smits and his bodyguard, Oscar Wydell, and as a member of the Grant family in name, Luke is in an incredible amount of danger. Furthermore, the Grant family selfishly desires to express their grief over the real Lee's death by faking "Lee"'s death and give Luke another alias. The return of "Lee" and Smits is celebrated by a party at the Grant's house. At the party, Oscar attempts to assassinate Smits, who is saved by his parents. His parents are both killed by a falling chandelier, which misses the president. Smits, "Lee", and some of "Lee"'s friends escape, dropping Smits and "Lee" off at Luke's house. Smits and "Lee" are welcomed back by Luke's family.
| The Shadow Children Sequence |
|---|
| By Margaret Peterson Haddix |
| Among the Hidden - Among the Impostors - Among the Betrayed - Among the Barons |
| Among the Brave - Among the Enemy - Among the Free |
