''Among the Barons'' is a 2003 book by

Margaret Peterson Haddix Margaret Peterson Haddix (born April 9, 1964) is an American writer known best for the two children's series, ''Shadow Children'' (1998–2006) and ''The Missing'' (2008–2015). She also wrote the tenth volume in the multiple-author series '' ...

, about a time in which drastic measures have been taken to quell overpopulation. It is the fourth of seven novels in the ''

Shadow Children Shadow Children is a series of seven books by Margaret Peterson Haddix about a dystopian country which suffers food shortages due to a drought and the effects of the government's totalitarian attempts to control resources as a way to solidify it ...

'' series.

Plot summary

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 Grant (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 get rid of his bodyguard, he sets the school on fire. After the fire, Luke is sent to search Smits's room and discovers two fake IDs in Smits's room: one with Smits' picture labeled Peter Goodard, the other with no picture and 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, 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 sending Luke back into hiding once again. The return of "Lee" (with a few changes made by the Grants' services) and Smits is celebrated by a party at Grant's house. At the party, Oscar attempts to assassinate the President, who started the war, and Luke, who is saved by Trey. The President was in a different location at the time. Smits's parents are killed by a falling chandelier. Smits, Luke, and some of Luke's friends escape, dropping Smits and Luke off at Luke's house. Trey grabs some documents which he thinks are important and which he will use in ''Among the Brave''. Smits and Luke are then welcomed back by Luke's family. Characters The characters included Lee (Luke) a third child Smits (Smithfield Grant) another third child Oscar the bodyguard Travis Jackson (Trey), also a third child 2003 American novels Shadow Children Novels by Margaret Peterson Haddix Dystopian novels 2002 science fiction novels American young adult novels {{2000s-sf-novel-stub