Chains (The Seeds of America Trilogy)

From acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson comes this compelling first novel in the historical middle grade The Seeds of America trilogy that shows the lengths we can go to cast off our chains, both physical and spiritual.
As the Revolutionary War begins, thirteen-year-old Isabel wages her own fight...for freedom. Promised freedom upon the death of their owner, she and her sister, Ruth, in a cruel twist of fate become the property of a malicious New York City couple, the Locktons, who have no sympathy for the American Revolution and even less for Ruth and Isabel.
When Isabel meets Curzon, a slave with ties to the Patriots, he encourages her to spy on her owners, who know details of British plans for invasion. She is reluctant at first, but when the unthinkable happens to Ruth, Isabel realizes her loyalty is available to the bidder who can provide her with freedom.
As the Revolutionary War begins, thirteen-year-old Isabel wages her own fight...for freedom. Promised freedom upon the death of their owner, she and her sister, Ruth, in a cruel twist of fate become the property of a malicious New York City couple, the Locktons, who have no sympathy for the American Revolution and even less for Ruth and Isabel.
When Isabel meets Curzon, a slave with ties to the Patriots, he encourages her to spy on her owners, who know details of British plans for invasion. She is reluctant at first, but when the unthinkable happens to Ruth, Isabel realizes her loyalty is available to the bidder who can provide her with freedom.
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Community Reviews
I really liked this (obviously, I gave it four stars...duh). Laurie Halse Anderson is good at historical fiction. I've read other novels about slavery, but since this one was set during the Revolutionary War rather than the Civil War, it gave me new perspective. I liked the characters, and I learned something about our country's history too.
I read this wonderful historical fiction book with my ten-year old son while my teenage daughters read it on their own. It was enjoyed by all. Chains was beautifully written, with characters that came to life as their stories were woven through historical events. I have been a fan of Laurie Halse Anderson's young adult books and was thrilled to discover her historical fiction selections.
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