Among the Free

Written by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Narrated by John Kroft

Luke Garner is a third-born in a restrictive society that allows only two children per family. Risking his life, he came out of hiding to fight against the Population Police laws. Now, in the final volume of Margaret Peterson Haddix's suspenseful Shadow Children series, Luke inadvertently sets off a rebellion that results in the overthrow of the government. The people are finally free. But who is in charge now? And will this new freedom be everything they had hoped?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 10, 2019
• ISBN: 9781980015253

Margaret Peterson Haddix

Margaret Peterson Haddix grew up on a farm in Ohio. She worked as a newspaper reporter and copy editor in Indiana before her first book, Running Out of Time, was published. She has since written more than fifty books for kids and teens, including the Greystone Secrets series, the Shadow Children series, the Missing series, the Children of Exile series, and many stand-alones. Margaret and her husband, Doug, now live in Columbus, Ohio, where they raised their two kids. You can learn more about her at haddixbooks.com.

Reviews for Among the Free

[engpunk77 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm glad I eventually finished the series, even though book 5, Among the Enemy was painfully monotonous. Perhaps Luke is just a better narrator than Trey, because I wasn't too terribly sick of Luke's introspection. Overall, the series sends a message about the importance of social action and the value of every human life. All of the narrators are so pure in their morality, given that their government had made the choice that they did not have the right to live; every single death is cushioned with judgement about how it was inexcusable and wrong. Time and time again the narrators sacrifice themselves to save the lives of some person with deplorable values and intentions, showing that even cruel dictators pointing a gun in your face should never be killed, even in self-defense. This is a little too simple for me, but parents and teachers (Unitarian ones especially) can feel good about putting this into a child's hands, feeling confident that you may be helping him or her develop into a devout pacifist. At the very least this will help them consider moral, philosophical questions for themselves while simultaneously enjoying a suspenseful escape. The series works for students with average to high reading comprehension.

I recommend the whole series to kids grades 5-8.

[yona-414000 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I had some problems with the books in this series. They varied from a little under three to above 3-1/2 stars but overall it was a very good story and very well conceived and told. I definitely feel it's more than a worthwhile read.

[benuathanasia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not the strongest ending, but still very good. I like how it pulls everyone back together for the end.

[tessa13_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Among the Free is the last book in the Shadown Children series. I personally think that it was the worst book out of the series, which isn't very good because it is the ending to everything. When I was reading it, I couldn't see how the story was going to end. And then all of a sudden they are all just free. They are all trying to escape and then it was like "where is everyone?" "oh you're free now" "YAYAYAY". So, ya. I didn't particularly like this book, but it wasn't that bad. And the rest of the books in the series is really good.

[sports9star · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the final book in the shadow kids series. When the population police fail and are out of power, the people take over. But when the people start wanting them back Luke has to take action. An action packed ending wraps up this series.

[bnagy51 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A breath taking ending to the shadow children series. Very good settings wityh great characters. Action packed

[omrythea_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The sixth and last book in the Shadow Children series, this book explains what happens to Luke. Luke is a third-born child in his family, but in his society that means death because third children are illegal and pursued by the Population Police. Luke faces many challenges and does not know who to trust in a world where danger and betrayal lurk around every corner.

[t1bclasslibrary · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The last book has come! The conclusion of this series is as up and down as the rest, but it's great to see that everything actually does work out. Luke finally finds some personal power and takes control of his life, and ends up the hero that even Jen would be proud of.

[paulww · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great book, ok ending. Not the result of the end, but the last little bit before they got there.