A Review of Among The Barons by Margaret Peterson Haddix
If you lived in a country where you can only have two children, if you were a third child you would be in hiding. A law made fourteen years ago changed millions. This law is that you can't have more than three kids, and if the population police catch or find you. You will be punished in death, and if you had to decide, what would you do? Hide for the rest of your life or go out and try to live life but not get caught? Luke, a third child, was born in the country on a farm. He is thirteen years old and goes to Hendricks school. This novel, Among The Barons by Margaret Peterson Haddix, is really good, because you do not know whats going to happen next and it is so unexpected.
Luke and his friends are really nice too each other. They are supportive to each other. They are thirteen years old and would've been a regular group of friends but this law changed it. When one friend is sad, they are sad with the friend, and same thing goes for every emotion, like when they were playing outside and Trey got hurt and they all gave up their free time to see if Trey was alright. They are like brothers ,and no one is ever left out. If there was no law they would be smarter and go to real schools. They should not have to live their lives like this because it is a waste of a good life. Thirteen and sixteen year old teenagers would like this book because they really act like regular kids and, it is like they are not even characters in the book. They all like to nave fun and play outside. It's like they just live life until they have no choice to go into hiding.
This book has a lot of suspense and when you hear it. You will be on the edge of your seats. Margaret Peterson Haddix's has books that are thrillers. On the front cover of the book it might say "a story filled with thrills" and it sure is true. Her writing makes you get that pit of fear in you're stomach when you're scared or nervous for someone. Like a part of the book was crazy I thought they were going to get caught and get killed but that did not happen. Smits just got to the school like a hour ago and Luke, Mr. Hendrick, and Smits were all in a room, and Luke spotted a big man with a sledgehammer running towards the school. Mr. Hendricks is a man who lost his legs bit he is really wise ,and teaches in the school. Luke was scared straight, and the man was Oscar, he was Smit's body guard. I do not know why he needs a body guard while you're in a secret school that barely anyone knows about. Oh wait. I know why, Oscar is not just there to protect him, he is there to watch Smits so he does not cause any trouble. Oscar does not do a good job. Smits started a fire and caused a lot of damage to the school! Where are all the students going to go now? Well Luke goes to the Grant's mansion and lives there. Smits becomes better than before.
Luke really does not like in the Grant's Mansion. I do not know why he doesn't like it but he is living in a house where he doesn't know anyone. I would be really awkward but it's a life or death situation so Luke just had too go along with it. The are almost done repairing the school after about two months. I am surprised because that could've went so much worse, but that is really how Margaret Haddix writes her books. She has a lot of suspense and then just makes it all good in the end. It happened when Oscar was running towards the room that they were in. A man running with a sledgehammer that has bad written all over it!
!!SPOILER ALERT!!
If you do not have time too read Margaret's awesome series The Shadow Children, here is what ended up happening to Luke's family and Smits family. Well Luke and Smit were all happy because Luke let Smits live with Luke's parents for a while, and Smits was good because he actually had a dad that actually has time for him, so Smits and Luke's parents were happy. On the other hand we have Luke's parents. Mr. And Mrs. Grant are filthy rich, spoiled and do not have a lot of time for Luke. Mr. Grant is too busy working and Mrs. Grant is shopping or working.
Margaret Peterson Haddix the author of Among The Barons. Margaret Peterson Haddix was born on April 9th,1964 in Washington Court House, Ohio. She wrote over thirty books and has one series called The Shadow Children, the series that I am reading now. Margaret Haddix is fifty one and is still writing. I recommend to you read her books, because you will enjoy reading them with the great suspense. She is a unique type of author, but in a good way.