In the fourth installment of the Shadow Children series, Margaret Peterson Haddix continues the futuristic society where families are only allowed to have two children, and any others are deemed illegal, not recognized and sentenced to death if found. Picking the story back up with Luke Garner, the readers learn more of the alias he was given, Lee Grant, and how a simple name, meant to save his life, has suddenly put Luke's life in grave danger.
Plot
It seems like another normal day at Hendricks School for Boys, until Luke is suddnely called into Mr. Hendrick's office. It seems his little brother is coming to the school - but not Matthew or Mark Garner. This brother is Smithfield Grant, but everyone calls him Smits. Mr. Hendricks confides in Luke, telling him that he does not know what to expect. If a family allowed a name to be used for a fake ID, that son must have somehow been killed, but now he's going to have to face Lee Grant's real life brother, and pretend they've known each other their whole lives.
Once Smits comes, also comes his bodyguard, Oscar. The boys don't hit it off too well at first. Just as Luke thinks he's figured out how to coexist with his "brother," another unexpected surprise: Mr and Mrs. Grant, who are a Baron family, suddenly want their sons to come home - both of them. As Luke embarks on a journey into a home and family he does not know but must pretend he does, he yet again finds danger lurking in every corner - perhaps a danger from which even Mr. Talbot can't save him.
Characters
Luke Garner/Lee Grant - third child who adopted a new alias and now must meet his "family"
Smithfield Grant - son of Barons and brother to the real Lee Grant
Mr. Hendricks - the headmaster of Hendricks School for Boys
Mr and Mrs. Grant - Baron parents of the real Lee and Smits
Oscar - bodyguard for Smits
Nina Idi - third-child friend of Luke's
Trey - third-child friend of Luke's
About the Author
Margaret Peterson Haddix has written a number of books for young adults, including Running Out of Time, one of her most popular and successful adventure books. She is still writing YA fiction, although the Shadow Children series is done, after completion of the 7th and final book in the series, Among the Free. The next book in the Shadow Children series is Among the Brave.
