Among the Barons
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| Among the Barons | |
 1st edition hardcover |
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| Author | Margaret Peterson Haddix |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Cliff Nielsen |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Shadow Children sequence |
| Genre(s) | Young adult Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster |
| Publication date | June, 2003 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover Print (Paperback) |
| 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 Peterson 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 [executed]).
[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 the 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". Smits is troubled by the death of his brother, and tells Luke, the new Lee, his stories of times he and the real Lee spent together. But when Smits wants to rid of his bodyguard, he sets the school on fire. It is later revealed that the bodyguard, Oscar actually set the school on fire in a twisted plot. After the fire, Luke discovers two fake IDs in Smits' room: one with Smits' picture labeled Peter Goodard, the other a blank labeled Stanley Goodard.
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 send Luke back into hiding once again.
The return of "Lee" (with a few changes made by the Grant's services) 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. Smits, Luke, and some of Luke's friends escape, dropping Smits and Luke off at Luke's house (and Trey grabs documents which he thinks are important and he will use in Among the Brave). Smits and Luke are then welcomed back by Luke's family. Smit's does give up his name, and becomes Peter Goodard though.
[edit] Main Characters
Luke Garner AKA(Lee Grant), Smits Grant, Mr.Hendricks, Mr.Grant, Mrs.Grant, Trey, Nina Idi, and Mr. Talbot
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