Among the Free

In any society there are things that are illegal, but what if it was illegal to exist? Luke is a third born child in a society that only allows two children per family. In an attempt to weaken their countries corrupt government, Luke and his friends joined the Population Police (an armed force whose purpose is to find and kill third children) and try to sabotage it from within. But times of rebellion have arisen and the government is overthrown. As different people struggle to gain power, the country is in even more danger. Among the Free, by Margaret Peterson Haddix, wraps up the Shadow Children series perfectly. It is a fast moving book best suited for 6th to 8th graders and anyone that has started the series. Even though they are fictional, a lot of the events and ideas behind the Shadow Children series are based on the Holocaust during World War 2. The idea of genocide (the annihilation of an entire race) stems from the Holocaust, along with the armed forces of the Population Police. They were a take off from the Nazis. All seven books in the series are thrilling page-turners, and earn two thumbs-up from me!

Among the Free: Margaret Peterson Haddix. Throughout the 6 books in the series of the "Shadow Children", all 3rd born children are illegal, as punishment for breaking this law: the child and parents are sentenced to death without trial, unless the parents decide to become informants for the "Population Police" that are responsible for killing all 3rd children and sometimes parents. Sadly, the reason for all of this madness is food shortages. In order to stop this movement many rebellions have taken place. Unfortunately, the main character Luke, lost his first friend, that was a 3rd born just as he was, in a rally that cost hundreds of people their lives. After this act of insanity Luke was forced to leave home, alone. Incredibly, Luke was sent to a school for all boys which turns out to be a school for 3rd boys! After about 2 years there he was forced to rescue his friend who was taken to be an informant by the Population Police. Incredibly in a burst of hope Luke is courageous enough to join the Population Police in order to get to his friend. Gravely Luke is trapped and cannot escape the Population Headquarters, along with no chance of escape he is sent to Chiutza on a mission to summon villagers to a meeting in town square. Insane as it may seem , one lady refused to move and was sentenced to death, but Luke had to be the one to do it. Scared, Luke ran and dropped the gun on the ground, moments later he hears 2 gunshots that he thinks are towards him but in reality Luke's Sergeant is shot by a villager. Luckily Luke's rebellion was followed by more villages to rebel and the Population Police were taken over, but that isn't the end.

Luke, a third child wanted the population law gone. It was that, because of droughts that nobody was allowed more than 2 children. When he figures out the population police were overthrown he goes to check it out. What I liked about the book was that it was always exciting. It also had interesting settings. Also the characters were detailed descriptively. Another thing was the characters did things you wouldn't guess. What I didn't like about the book though was that it usually switched topics. Also the characters weren't doing things they liked so it was mostly sad.

I've been reading this series since the first book. It never dissapoints. Each book is a pageturner, that I can't put down, and this one was the same. It focuses on Luke the boy who we were first introduced to on the first page of "Among the Hidden". It follows Luke through a fast paced adventure, exploring the nature of people, government, and righteousness. If you liked the other books, you will not be dissapointed by the thrilling finale to this seriously. I literally squealed as I read it and surprsing twists continued to be thrown.

This book is great in almost every aspect of literature and entertainment. It does a great job at showing the human will to survive and basic morale and ethical principals established in societies in today's world. This book helps introduce younger readers and older readers to the world of politics in a strange way. It has many views on right and wrong and is just amazing. I suggest the entire series to anyone who wants a great read.