Customer Reviews

Among the Barons (Shadow Children Books)

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been religiously keeping up with Margaret Haddix's Shadow Children series ever since I picked up Among the Hidden in the library about three years ago.

The series has been getting more involved and intricate, and Among the Barons is easily *the* most intricate of the current set of four.

In the other three novels Luke's (or Nina's, in the third book) problems are pretty straightforward by comparison - their actions revolve around achieving specific goals that don't involve too much political intrigue, which, I find, always introduces more complexity in novels because other characters' motivations and thoughts become equally important as the main character's, and not just of secondary importance; an example of this is the contrast between Mr. Talbot's interactions with Luke (and Luke occasionally questions his faith in Mr. Talbot) and Oscar's interactions with Luke (where Luke's decisions start to affect other people).

So, in Among the Barons, Luke has to deal with problems of greater difficulty - there's some people who show up who really don't care much about Luke and would as soon see him gone in one way or another.

The book also fleshes out some of the chronology and politics that make up the back story of the Shadow Children series; it introduces the first organized rebel movement as well as actual Barons besides just Mr. Talbot, and the Barons often act self-centered and arrogant, which is a change from the humanistic Mr. Talbot.

Interestingly, Luke continues to follow a kind of "middle path"; he never wholly commits himself one way or another, and this adds a great deal of depth to Luke's character, and makes him more real. For example, he chooses a different way to achieve Jen's goal; one that suits his naturally cautious nature - instead of vocally organizing protest rallies and attracting the attention of the Government (which is ready to shoot first and ask questions later if the wrong people are crossed), he chooses to hide in plain sight, adopting the identity of a Baron. Later, when asked to move on from Hendricks, Luke decides he wants to improve his education and understanding before accepting Mr. Talbot's offer. And finally, in Among the Barons (can't spoil too much of the plot here), he does not wholly take sides with the rebel movement, but finds himself drawn into confusion over whose methods will accomplish the goal - Mr. Talbot's of working from within, or Oscar's of fighting from without? The book doesn't leave this clear-cut (although Luke's faith in Mr. Talbot's method isn't shaken), and I suspect the next book will probably show Luke's further evolution in this matter.

It's easy to imagine another person in the Shadow Children universe being a die-hard member of a nonviolent populist movement aiming to bring about political change, but this would reduce that person to a fairly flat character since the ideology puts constraints on what actions and thoughts are believable for the character.

Incidentally, Jen Talbot, had she lived, could well have been on her way to being such a leader; burning with desire to right wrongs, but not given to violence in her makeup, she could well have founded or risen to the top of such a populist movement in the Shadow Children universe.

Good book! I look forward to the upcoming books in this series. (The 4 stars rather than 5 is because of some minor nitpicks about the degree to which Smits gets his way in the school.)

Margaret Peterson Haddix's book Among the Barons is simply amazing! Being the 4th book in the series about "shadow children" it keeps you guessing till the very end. Believe me, once you pick up this book you won't wan't to put it down. Haddix's writing makes you feel like you're actually in the story! All in all this book is a have to read , never wan't to put down book!

Among the Barons
By: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Reviewed by: J. Fujii
Period: 5

Among the Barons by Margaret Peterson Haddix is the fourth book in the series of shadow books. The book is about a third child named Luke Gardner who gets a fake i.d. to become Lee Grant. Luke attends Hendricks School for Boys. After six months, Lee's real brother, Smits, goes to Luke's school. Smits arrives at Hendricks in a limo and he has a bodyguard named Oscar. Luke shows his "brother" Smits around Hendricks. Smits acts like the schoool which is a special school for the barons class isn't fancy. Smits tries to get Oscar fired because Smits doesn't want a bodyguard. Smits starts a fire in Hendricks and blames Oscar. After the fire, Luke finds two fake i.d. cards. They cause him to wonder who they belong to. In the meantime, Smits, Luke and Oscar go home to the Grants' house because the Grants say that want to watch over their children. Luke meets Mr. and Mrs. Grant and goes to Lee's room which is clean and very organized. Around midnight, the Grants talk to Luke about staging his death as Lee because the Grants are being blackmailed for Lee's illegal activities. On that same night, Oscar wakes up Luke and tells him about a secret resistance force that is fighting against the Barons. The Grants die when a huge chandelier falls on them. Luke then takes Smits home to his own family and Smits begins to live with Luke's family.
I enjoyed this book because I like science fiction. I also liked this book because it had some humor. A humorous line is when a boy said, "The new boy brought 4 suitcases, his own computer and a giant TV."
I also liked this book because it keeps you reading. For instance, when Oscar says, "Watch out for the chandelier," it made me want to keep reading to find out what was going to happen with the chandelier. The author made me want to read on and it was surprising to find out what happens next to Luke.
My favorite part of the story was when Smits comes to Hendricks. I liked this part because Smits was a man in a boys' body because he acted like a businessman. It was also my favorite part because of all the rumors being spread about Smits such as his reported gourmet meals being sent in from a restaurant in a city 1 hour away from the school.

My favorite book I read this year was Among the Barons. This book talks about a kid named Luke, who got an I.D. card because he was a third child. The person who he is pretending to be, has a brother and comes to visit him. He has to act like Lee Grant who he got the fake I.D. card from because he died. So Lee is part of one of the richest families in the country.
Lee has a younger brother named Smits and he comes to visit him and Luke has to act like he is his brother. Smits has to be protected by a bodyguard and the bodyguard is always with him. When they need to talk the bodyguard is always there to hear. Smits is a troublemaker and is blamed for everything. There is a fire and the Grants want there sons to come home so they will be safe. Then all that happens is trouble. You have to read the book to find out what happens.
My opinion is that it is one of the best books in the series. It is a book you can't put down and the ending comes as a shock. It is a very good book and is so good that it's sad when it's over. I think you should read this book.

Among the Brave is about illegal third cildren in the future. Trey is a thirteen year old thid child. When his best friends get captured by the Population Police he has to save them... the only problem is that he has no earthly clue how! Trey spent twelve years isolated in his room, and now he is going in the wide open air to get his friends back. this book is sure to keep you reading for hours on end! Among the Brave is yet another book in the Shadow Children series. Readers will not be dissapointed!

Corine, age 11

Among the Barons was a truly amazing book. I couldn't stop reading it! Luke Garner is an illegal third child that lives in the future. He got a fake ID card and now is going to public school! When his supposedly younger brother comes to his school Luke gets freaked out... why would his `brother' come here anyway? At age thirteen, Luke has to figure this out while not letting it show to his friends. Among the Barons is the fourth book in the sequence about illegal third children. This book will take you on a thrilling ride you won't want to miss!

Corine, age 11

Haddix has herself an incredibly compelling series that will hook anybody from the start! In this one Luke has a surprise when the brother of Lee Grant (Luke's assumed name) arrives at the school. Luke learns that Lee Grant was actually a Baron and not only that, Lee's family is one of the most influential families in the whole country.

Luke's brother (Smits) acts very aristocratic, demanding special meals and treatment and he walks around the school with a bodyguard. Luke learns that Smits is not all he seems to be and behind the veil is a troubled youth, missing his real brother (Luke learns that the real Lee Grant was killed by the goverment while skiing). Things really get topsy-turvy for Luke when he is suddenly called home with Smits to the aristicratic parents of Smits and Lee. Luke who has lived in fear all his life, now must face something totally unknown. How can he pretend to be an aristocrat when he has lived in hiding as a poor person his whole life? Won't everybody know he really isn't Lee? The tension for Luke is high.

Another great read by Haddix that keeps you clamoring for the next installment!

The whole time I was reading this book I was on the edge of my seat! It is so fantastic! It was suspenseful, trickey, humorus, and a good book in all. I didn't think that it was going to turn out the way it did, but it did. It was so crazy. And the charecters were no help. Usually I can tell who did it, but this time I didn't have a clue. And when I did guess who it was, I was wrong!

With the Shadow Children series, Margaret Peterson Haddix has created a unique dystopia that both children and adults can enjoy. Oftentimes an extended series can weaken, but "Among the Barons", the fourth novel in the series, is a strong installment as it refocuses attention on the original character, Luke Garner. It will certainly have readers guessing and leave them in suspense for more.

Luke Garner has been officially installed at Hendricks School for Boys as Lee Grant. As an illegal third child, Luke has had a hard time adjusting to life away from his family, and now that things are finally settling for him, he is about to find himself immersed in a family again - not his real family, but his adopted family. For Luke's younger brother Smits arrives at school and turns his world upside down, causing quite a stir with the other students as well, who remain fearful that their secrets will no longer be safe. Plus, Smits has a hulking, menacing bodyguard who never leaves his side. When Luke is summoned to the Grant home, he cannot fathom why the parents of a dead child would want to see the boy who has taken their son's place. And when he learns the truth, it is almost too much to fathom, for he doesn't know who he can put his trust in.

"Among the Barons" nearly completes a circle made by the first two books of the series. It certainly ends in a cliffhanger that will leave raeders hungry for more, as Luke tries desperately to find answers and someone to trust in his quest to make third children legal. I look forward to to next book in the series and hope it lives up to the standard the author has set.

"Among the Barons" sees the return of Luke's character, who was absent from the previous book in the series. This book finds Luke literally filling the role of Lee Grant. Reading almost like a mystery, this fast paced read is full of twists that will leave readers guessing. In a great series, it is among the best.

Still residing the in the safety of Hendricks School for Boys, Luke finds himself in an awkward situation. The brother of his false identity is enrolling in the school and is eager to see him. Knowledge of the situation and motives are immediately called into question as Smits Grant arrives. From there first meeting, odd things begin to happen. Smits's bodyguard Oscar seems to be trying to kill Smits. Or is it the other way around? The behhavior of Smits rattles many at the school, making him seem to be nothing more than a spoiled child. When Lee and Smits Grant's parents enter the plot, the direction of the story becomes even more clouded. The things they allow their sons to do just do not seem normal and may explain Smits's behavior.

With the twists in the plot, the ending may come as a surprise to some. By themselves, the unexpected twists in the plot make this a worthy read. For the target market of 9-12 year olds, some of the clues may pass over their heads. And while adults may anticipate some quirks, they will not see them all.