Booktalking Colorado - Full Booktalk Record

Booktalking Colorado Full Record:

	Title:	Among the Barons
	Author:	Haddix, Margaret Peterson
	Date Published:	2003
	Genre:	Sci-Fi
	Grade Level:	4 - 7
	Booktalker:	Susi Bonato

Notes:
This is in conjunction with the "Shadow Children" series

Booktalk:
Luke Garner spent the first 12 years of his life in hiding. As a third child in a society that allowed only two children per family, Luke was the family secret. Then, mercifully, he was given freedom of an identity card that belonged to Lee Grant, a Baron, and a member of the highest class of society. Lee died in a skiing accident and now Luke took his place and was sent to a boarding school for wealthy kids. That was four months ago. Today, he is called into the office of Mr. Hendricks, the owner and founder of Hendricks boarding school. Luke was scared. Had he been found out? What was next if that was the case? But he knew that when none of the boys would be illegal anymore, when they could all reclaim their rightful names and go back to their rightful families. When he arrived in Mr. Hendrick's office, he's informed that his brother will be joining him at school. At first, Luke is confused, thinking that Matthew or Mark will be coming. But Mr. Hendricks gives him a meaningful look and repeated, "I said your brother, Smithfield William Grant. You call him Smits." Smits had nothing left of his brother, he was gone and Smits was grieving. This in turn, was dangerous for Luke, who ran the risk of being exposed if Smits allowed his grief to overtake him. With Smits arrival, Luke finds himself caught in a web of lies that get more complex and lethal with each passing day. Can Luke trust Smits to keep his secret? And can he trust Smits menacing bodyguard, Oscar? Luke finds living among the Barons puts him in the deadliest danger he has ever faced.