Chains (Seeds of America, #1) in Crazy Challenge Connection

Jun 01, 2011 Susan rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, young-adult, historical-fiction

Isabel is a 13-year-old slave in during the American Revolutionary War. This story chronicles what happens to her beginning in late May, 1776, when her comparatively humane owner dies, through January, 1977. It's told in Isabel's own voice, so we share in her longings, her determination, her fears, and her attempt to make sense of what all these warring white people mean when they talk about freedom. Anderson's writing is straightforward and understated, which actually adds to the pathos of some ...more

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Oct 24, 2010 Tien rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, historical-fiction, usa

A turn of bad luck sees Isabel & her sister, Ruth, being sold to a 'genteel' household. Unfortunately, Madam herself is none too gentle with the help. Isabel's dream of freedom, of being recognised as a person, a human being, was crushed. She cannot however be brought down by this turn of event. Ruth needs her care and she has promised Momma that she would care for Ruth.

The country is teetering on the edge of war when she arrived in New York with her new owners. The Locktons are Loyalists and do ...more

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Oct 11, 2012 Marisa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: histrical-fiction, young-adult

This is a very well written book about a slave named Isabel. When her owner dies she is supposed to be set free, but instead is sold to a very nasy couple in NYC. Set during the revolutionary war Isabel is asked to spy on her owners who support the king.
Isabel is a very strong girl who finds herself in bad situations. She uses her brain to figure out what to do to get herself out.

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Jun 17, 2010 Melissa Wehunt added it · review of another edition

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson (2010)

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Sep 06, 2010 Sue rated it it was amazing

Shelves: library, series, young-adult, early-america, o-dell-award-hist-fict

This was a searing portrait of slavery in America during the Revolutionary War period. Isabel is a wonderful voice to tell describe the degradation of slavery, the daily struggle to hold on to an identity, and the choices that have to be made for survival. Her struggles were deeply touching and it was very moving to read. Excellent book.

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