Luke Garner is a third child. He's been in hiding for all twelve years of his life. He can't go to school, it's rare if he's allowed outside, and his family tries very hard to hide any suspicious behavior. Next door, there is another third child, Jen. And ironically enough, her father is apart of the Population Police, working as a double agent. Luke immediately takes a liking to Jen. She's fiery, brave, and will do anything to legalize third children. It wasn't their fault they were born, she tells Luke at one point. They are not just third children, they're people as well. Sadly enough, Jen dies after she riots for third children. She was discovered, along with thirteen others. They were are killed that night.
After this, Luke was absolutely shaken. He wants to do everything he can for the legalization. He wants to be a fighter like Jen. But Jen was his inspiration, his motivation. And now, she's gone. Luke's terrified. He's never been in the real world, he's been in hiding his whole life and has no idea what to expect. And on top of that, he's educationally deprived. Luke needs to find and help himself before he can help anybody else. He's a really great character. And somehow, even though I'm quite sure no reader has ever experienced this sort of situation before, Margaret Haddix does an excellent job with helping the reader relate. And understand every last one of Luke's emotions. I wonder what he'll do though. His change and growth will surely be gradual, but I'm excited to see him fight for what so many third children want. What he wants. What Jen wanted. And how he'll fight is the most important question.
The best answer I have right now is that, we'll see.
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