Among the Impostors
 | |
| Author | Margaret Peterson Haddix |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Heather Wood |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Shadow Children sequence |
| Genre | Young adult, Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing |
Publication date | May 1, 2001 |
| Media type | Print (Softcover) |
| Pages | 172 pages |
| ISBN | 0-689-83904-9 [1] |
| Preceded by | Among the Hidden |
| Followed by | Among the Betrayed |
Among the Impostors is a 2001 book by Margaret Peterson Haddix, about a time in which drastic measures have been taken to quell overpopulation. It is the second of seven novels in the Shadow Children series.
Plot summary
Illegal third child Luke Garner is living with a fake ID, going by the name Lee Grant at the Hendricks School for Boys. Lee Grant was killed while skiing down a mountain so no one knows that he was gone except for his family. He is at first confused and paranoid, as well as treated brutally by his roommates. Eventually, Luke begins sneaking out of the school to do things. This brings him great happiness and a sense that he belongs. When his garden is trampled, he realizes that other people are going outside, including Jackal Boy.
He reveals himself to them, finding out that they are other illegals as well. The leader, Scott Renault (whose real name is Jason Barstow) otherwise known as Jackal Boy, is outwardly a huge admirer of Jen Talbot, Luke's only friend who died at a rally for third children's rights
He learns more and more about Hendricks School, but never learns what his schedule is until he is asked about "finals" by Jason. He then is told that he has to take his semester final tests, and that his results will be sent to his fake parents, the Grants, who happen to be Barons, and one of the richest and most powerful people in the country. When awoken one night, he realizes Jason is gone, and Luke while looking for him happens to overhear a phone conversation of Jason's, where he is talking to a Population Police officer.
Luke finally realizes Jason is actually a Population Police operative trying to get the real identities of illegals and attacks him with a history book, causing the phone to get disconnected, and knocks Jason out when Jason's head hits the stairs. He comes up with a cover story for the Population Police officer at the other end and gets Jason down to the nurse's office. He calls Mr. Talbot, a double agent working with Population Police, and convinces him to come to Hendricks. When another officer comes, Mr. Talbot convinces them that Jason is lying about the third children and has Jason arrested. Luke is later given the choice to leave the school, but he decides to stay at Hendricks and help the other third children.
Main characters
- Lee Grant /Luke Garner: Main character in the Shadow Children series. Goes into hiding at Hendricks School for Boys.
- Jackal boy (Jason):Main antagonist in Among the Impostors. An undercover Population Police informant. Future Character in the series
- Mr.Talbot: Recurring character from Among the Hidden. Father of Jen Talbot. He is also a double agent on the side of the Shadow Children inside the Population Police.
References
External Sources
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