Among the Free is the final book in the Shadow Children series by Maragert Peterson Haddix. Margaret Peterson Haddix is an award-winning author who has received honors from the International Reading Association Children's Book Award and Quick Pick for Reluctant Youth Adult Readers citations. She has also made the list of fifteen state award finalist lists.

In this novel, Luke Garner, is a 13-year-old boy. Luke is a third child for his parents, which also means that his existence is illegal according to the Population Police and the government that rules Luke's country. The Population Police is responsible for enforcing the law, which is that families are only permitted to have two children. Third children are executed by the Population Police. The reason the law came about is because a drought and a famine spread across the country before Luke was even born.

Luke Garner is the main character of the novel. The story is about Luke's life. When the novel opens, Luke is working undercover for the Population Police. Luke and his friends, primarily other third children and people who don't agree with the law, have a plan to sabotage the government from the inside. Luke is a stablehand, responsible for taking care of the horses that the Population Police ride in their free time when he is chosen as a messenger to work with the police. As a messenger, Luke is responsible for going to villages and telling the residents to meet in the town square to receive their new identification cards. The first house Luke comes to, the old woman refuses to go, which leads to the policeman ordering Luke to shoot her. When Luke refuses, throws the gun down and runs away, the rest of the novel is about his journey away from the old ways of life and running toward a new way of life - a life of freedom and choice.

As the story unfolds, the readers learn about Luke's past and the past of his family members and friends. The reader also learn about the culture and laws of the country along Luke's journey, through present stories and the stories of Luke's past, and what led him on this journey.

As the various customs unfold, a clash exists between the old ways and the ways people want the culture of modern times to be. The culture clashes between old and modern times especially reveal themselves when Luke returns to Population Police Headquarters after the government is overthrown. This is when Luke realizes that the only way to make things change is to stand up for his rights and to get the people to understand their own rights.

The novel describes the trials and tribulations Luke goes through as she tries to find her place in life. Luke switches back and forth, as to whether he wants to remain in hiding or speak up for his right of freedom. In the end, Luke decides to speak up for his rights of freedom, which also leads to the freedom of all the people in the country, especially third children.