Chains (original 2008; edition 2008)

This book is about the time when we were having the world war II.We had slavery too. It is a sad stary about a girl (I forgot her name) who was in slavery and her mothe rand owner died. In the will of the owner she said to let the girl and her sister be free.But a guy said that wasnt true. Later on she was sold to another person and was abused badly. She lost her sister because they Lady sold her to someone else. In the middle she meets this boy and he goes to the prison later because he was captured.She brakes him out and they escaped.

I liked this book because it told so much about how other people feel. It makes me sad about how mean our ancestors were. Im much nicer then they are. Because all people have feelings cant they see thet.This book is really sad and I cant wait to read the second book. ( )

This book was about a girl who was a slave. Her mom died when they arrived in America. The two girls owner had just died. There owner told them they would be free when she died. One of the auctioneers did not believe the two girls. The girls dad got beatened up when they arrived, so they would not be split up. The girls got sold together and there new owner is mean. There owner slaps them and does not care about them.
I gave this book a rating of four. I gave it a four because it had a lot of detail in it. The author used a lot of big words. I could imagen the story very clearly. I enjoyed this book and it is one of my favorites. I recommend this book who likes a book with mystery. I read this book everytime I have a chance. When I'm bored I just take out the book and read it. ( )

In the year 1776, we meet Isabel, a teenager, and her younger sister Ruth, both of whom are slaves. Their master, a kindly old woman who promised to free them, has died and her son is selling them for a tidy profit, rather than make good on those promises. The girls travel to New York with their new owners who are Loyalists, right as the Rebel forces begin the battle for independence. Isabel tries to win her freedom amid the chaos and frustration of the American Revolution. First she hopes to aid the Rebel forces by spying on her owner, but they fail to protect her and, despite fighting for freedom of their own, will not recognize her as a human being. Then she turns to the Loyalists, but they are only looking to free slaves owned by Rebels. All the while, Isabel must contend with the increasingly desperate and cruelty of her owner, Mrs. Lockton. Isabel must learn to fight for what is right, fend for herself, and creates freedom and hope out of misery and pain.
Anderson, who came to prominence in young adult fiction with her award-winning book "Speak", returns to historical fiction in the first book of the Seeds of America series. Unafraid to take chances, Anderson weaves a tale that is simultaneously horrifying, thrilling, and hopeful, and it is utterly engrossing. The depiction of slaves amidst the backdrop of the American Revolution provides ample opportunity for growth and questioning of historical "fact". Teachers and students alike will appreciate the additional background material and author explanations of the true history that surrounds this fictional tale. Readers should take note that Anderson is unafraid to show us the dark underbelly of the country, as well as the sickening means by which Isabel's owners seek to control her fate. These intense themes should keep out readers under the age of 14. ( )

Chains is set in New York City at the beginning of the American revolution. It is told from the perspective of Isabel, a young slave girl. Isabel and her younger sister are supposed to be set free but instead are sold to a cruel Loyalist family. In order to punish Isabel, the younger sister is sent away. In an attempt to find freedom and reunite with her sister, Isabel decides to spy for the rebels in hopes that they will help her escape the family that has enslaved her. However, even after providing critical information to the rebels, Isabel is denied the help she she seeks and adopts a stance that she will do whatever it takes and side with either group to find her sister and escape to freedom. The story ends with Isabel freeing a friend from jail and together embarking on a journey to find her sister as well as freedom. The story continues in the sequel titled Forge.

Laurie Halse Anderson has created another realistic and moving piece of historical fiction. The characters are well developed and believable. The values and attitudes portrayed in the story are consistent with the time period. One example of this is the part where Isabel is denied help even though she has provided the rebels with critical information simply because she is a slave. Anderson creates vivid details of the setting and creates an affecting story that provides readers with a new perspective of the American Revolution.

Suggested grade level: 5-8. ( )

Ally Pfeiffer 11-7-11
2 book report
Laurie Halse Anderson author of Chains (seeds of America), as well as Forge, Speak, and Fever 1763. Laurie wanted to be a writer since she was in second grade. Laurie’s books have won several awards like The New York Times best seller, Publishers Weekly Bestseller, and Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction. Chains is a book that definitely stood strong with Laurie’s previous books.

In Chains, Isabelle is sold along with her little sister Ruth to awful people in New York. In New York she meets many interesting characters, like Cruzon and Housekeeper Becky. But Isabelle has to face many trials to get her freedom she greatly deserves. Chains is similar to Fever 1793, another book by Laurie.

I personally think that Chains is a very good book. I would recommend this book too anyone that enjoys Historical Fiction, or to anyone who likes a really good book. I would give this book a 5 out of 5. ( )

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Chains (Seeds of America). New York: Simon & Schuster, 2008. This story is a fictional tale of a young slave girl living during the Revolutionary War. She is seperated by her little sister and vows to find her at any cost. She agrees to help the Continental Army by spying for them. They promise to help her find her sister. But things get worse for her. This story shows some of the abuse slaves went through by their masters. It also shows how slaves were used to help the different armies gain the upper hand in their battles. This book is accurate in the experiences soldiers had in the prisons. Age group: 12-14 years. ( )

BY: NOA

Chains is the first book in the series of three by Laurie Halse Anderson

ABOUT THE BOOK
Chains was written by Laurie Halse Anderson who also wrote the next two books in the series- Forge and Ashes. She also wrote Speak and Fever.
Okay, the book Chains is in slavery where 'black' men and woman were not treated as well and equal as 'whites.' In the story Isabel (the main character) and her sister Ruth were given a document from their previous owner that clearly stated that when she dies, Isabel and Ruth would be free. Now the story takes a turn because there is a greedy seller (the nephew of the woman) who burns the document and claims that the slaves are not free. Isabel and Ruth protest against this but nobody listens to them because back then, slaves were thought of as foolish liars. So Isabel and Ruth were bought by the Locktons- Mister Lockton and Madam Lockton who weren't exactly the nicest in the world.

I can't give away anything but you should read the BOOK!

WHAT IT MEANS TO ME
Okay, so in Chains Isabel is trapped. Not physically, but mentally and not as much as in Forge. I think that the name 'Chains' would fit better in Forge because that is when Master Bellingham actually puts a collar around Isabel's neck to keep her from running away repeatedly. I wonder if there's a page where Laurie Halse Anderson says why she named every book- that would be awesome! ( )

listened to the audiobook- nasally, I thought. Good story about the American Revolution from the point of view of a female slave. Lots of details of battles I never knew/forgot about. ( )

Set in New York during the Revolutionary War, this is a story of courage and the desire for freedom. Isabel is a slave who was expecting to be freed upon her owner's death, but instead she and her little sister are sold to a couple in New York who support the English. Isabel is treated cruelly there, while her sister is treated like a pet. Rumors fly that the English soldiers will be freeing slaves, and Isabel does not know where her loyalties lie -- who will free her and help her and her sister escape? She meets Curzon, a young freed slave working with the American patriots, and he tells her that the only path to freedom lies down the dangerous path of spying for the rebellion. Will she spy on her owners and risk being beaten or sold, or will she spy on the rebels to help the British? Excellent writing that reflects thorough research of the events, attitudes and ideas of the times, with a fresh viewpoint. 7th grade and up, but a perfect fit for 8th grade with the Revolutionary War unit. My guess is that this one will be an award-winner. ( )

I chose to read this piece of historical fiction for my children's literature class and really enjoyed reading it. It is set during the Revolutionary War and portrays the life of a young African American slave girl named Isabella. I felt like I knew the heart of Isabella and was internally torn as she was when she was promised freedom if she risked her life to share secrets to the patriots. Her courage and passion is so inspiring. ( )

Through the eyes of a teenaged slave during the 1700s, we gain a different perspective about the Revolutionary War era. This is also unique in that it addresses slavery in New York, the Torries, etc.

A great historical fiction book that brought tears to my eyes. Anderson just has a way with her writing that makes her stories unforgettable. Definatly one of my favorite authors ( )

A teenage slave name Isabel is sold along with her little sister Ruth to a Loyalist couple. Isabel is told that if she leaks information to the Patriots she and her little sister will get their freedom. When she does the deal backfires. Her self struggle is described throughout the novel with great details and character building. ( )

Young Isabel tells her story of slavery in New York during the turbulent days leading up to the Revolutionary War.
Awards and honors
National Book Award finalist (Young People's Literature, 2008)

ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2009)

Scott O'Dell Award (2009)

ALA Notable Children's Book (2009)

South Carolina Junior Book Award Nominee (2010-201

Excellent view of slavery and the Revolutionary War through the eyes of a young girl. We learn about slavery from the perspective of the Civil War, but not much is taught about slavery during the Revolutionary War, or how common it was for wealthy Northerners to own slaves. Isabel's perseverance provides a fresh and engaging story. ( )

Although young Isabella knew she and her sister had been freed from slavery, circumstances worked against her, this time in 1776 during the Revolutionary War. She became enslaved to Tories in New York City. As she seeks to escape her unfair slavery, she also tries to reconcile the politics of the revolutionary Patriots who argue that they fight for freedom, and the Tory “loyalists” who also claim the right to govern. Freedom is elusive to a black slave in those years.
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A good book, but I feel it lags in detail. But you should read it, I couldn't put it down in the end. ( )

When a young girl and her sister are not freed from slavery when their nice master dies, they are moved to a mean owner. To protect her younger sister and their future, the girl begins an adventure that aids in the American Revolution. ( )

This is the story of part of the American Revolutionary War from the perspective of a slave girl in New York City. It is an action packed story with many twists and turns as well as good minor characters. I am not even a Revolutionary War enthusiast, and I loved this book. ( )

An excellent historical novel set in the American war of Independance. It is told by Isabel, a young slave girl who is left to look after her 5 year old sister and herself as best she can after the death of her mother and the woman who owned them. Despite being promised freedom, they remain enslaved and at the mercy of those who buy them. This is a book to make you burn with fury at the injustice of slavery. It is well-researched, but character led - although you will learn a lot about the history of the war of Independance and about slavery the information is not forced at the reader in chunks, but skilfully threaded through the story. Isabel is a great character, and her story is continued in Forge. ( )

Powerful is the word to use when describing this book. Once again the author accumulated more well-deserved awards in yet another sensitively written novel that tackles a difficult subject. This is a winner of the Scott O'Dell award for historical fiction and a National Book Award finalist.

Set in revolutionary war time, the story is told by Isabel, a young slave who is sold to a cruel, wealthy loyalist family.
As the fires of the revolution burn, the sadness of chains and the burden of shackles is a springboard for the telling of the plight of the American slave and their need for freedom.

The setting of New York City is unique and the book is filled with tidbits of a well-researched, accurate historical portrayal.

Hoping for freedom, when Isabel is betrayed by the freedom fighters, her face is branded by the loyalists. When her tiny, five year old sister is sold by the loyalists, she learns the bitter truth and blatant hypocrisy of the colonists who want their freedom, but not that of the slaves whom they use and subjugate.

Poignant and heartbreaking, page after page is filled with detail of the inhumanity of slavery.

Highly recommended! ( )

How a young slave child tries to free herself from New York slavery at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. ( )

interesting look at freedom and liberty from the perspective of a slave during the American revolution. ( )

This was a fantastic read. It tells the story of a young girl who is a slave during the American War of Independence. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series. ( )

I need to divulge the fact that I don't typically read Middle Grade fiction but I could not pass this one up. My fascination with history, coupled with the fact that my stepdad is a huge Revolutionary War buff (he even does the Washington's Crossing reenactment every Christmas morning) and my childhood obsession to read everything ever written about slavery, made this novel a must read for me!

This book did not disappoint me in any way. I felt the shackles come out and bind me to this novel immediately; I knew I couldn't put this down. What a thoroughly captivating novel with memorable characters and moments. Laurie Halse Anderson proves herself to be a masterful storyteller as she deftly weaves together an evocative fight for freedom through the eyes of Isabel, a Loyalist's slave, and the history of a nation's fight for freedom. The novel doesn't openly "tsk tsk" the nation's gross injustices on the slavery front but rather shows, through Isabel, the implications of such a practice and the glaring hypocrisy of a nation who wants to be free yet are not willing to release their slaves but want nothing more than for them to fight for their cause.

At certain points I forgot I was reading a novel meant for a younger audience. The perfectly paced adventure will hook younger readers (as I saw at the LHA event) as well as adults but the impeccable writing and the complexities that lie within the heart of the story, as well as this period in history, will keep adults reading. It was fun to read this book and then converse with my Revolutionary War genius stepfather about the events that were happening in the novel only to learn even more about the particular event--e.g. the fire in New York City--not a spoiler as it is in the history books!

I really appreciated Anderson's dedication to keeping the novel pretty much in line with the historical facts. I loved that she focused on the struggle between the Loyalists and the Rebels in New York City as it is an area that often gets overlooked and it really is quite compelling--as I learned further from my step dad. I found the inclusion of pieces from real documents and letters from this time period at the beginning of the chapter to be fascinating and was glad that she added them.

Isabel is a character that you will find yourself remembering for a long time to come. She's strong, resilient and entirely loyal to the ones that she loves and cares for. Reading this book felt reminiscent of the feelings that I felt while reading Little House on the Prairie or Little Women as a child. I felt myself wholly transported to another time and side by side with Isabel in her fight. There were moments where I felt like Isabel wasn't quite true to the times, either because of speech or questionable actions, but for the most part I felt like she was convincingly written.

The only thing I found to be irksome was the incredibly short chapters. I'd get really into the story and then I was jolted into a new chapter. However, I thought about the fact that this was written for a younger audience with a shorter attention span than mine and found that it was probably perfect for them and I just needed to deal with that minor inconvenience.

My final thought: Amazing! I don't care if you don't read MG or YA books, if you like a good historical novel--pick this up! It isn't a wonder that the kids at the signing I went to were hanging on to every word that Laurie uttered and were completely enamored with this novel. It is compelling and the ending will leave you rushing out to by Forge! I think this would be an awesome novel to complement a social studies lesson on this time period. ( )