Chains

Laurie Halse Anderson

Aug 2011 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

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.

Ratings and reviews

Can't get into a book written from a female slave's perspective written by a white woman. Before I researched the author, I read the book and could not figure out why I couldn't feel any connection to the character or why the experiences didn't feel realistic at all. I just don't think this was an area that the author should have delved into.

The reader really understands the setting and characters. Isabel is a strong female lead,the reader can feel her pain throughout the story. Its a great historical fiction. It seems to sum up what we learn in school through an amazing story. The reality was slaves were property and slaves were seperated from there family all the time.

Whatever you DO NOT get this book it is the most boring and contains the most inappropriate content I've ever laid my eyes on. Laurie Halse Anderson is a bad person.

About the author

Laurie Halse Anderson is a New York Times bestselling author known for tackling tough subjects with humor and sensitivity. She’s twice been a National Book Award finalist, for Chains and Speak; Chains also received the 2009 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction. Laurie was chosen for the 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award and received the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2023, presented to her by the Crown Princess of Sweden. She lives in Pennsylvania, and you can follow her adventures on X (previously known as Twitter) @HalseAnderson or visit her at MadWomanintheForest.com.