Chains
by
Laurie Halse Anderson
Summary
Thirteen-year old Isabel has lived her entire life as a slave, but she has yet to discover how difficult that life can be when her master dies and she and her younger sister are sold to a couple in New York during the midst of the American Revolution. Master Lockton is on the side of the British and has no patience with American Patriots. Isabel is befriended by a young slave boy owned by a Patriot master. The young boy convinces Isabel to pass messages for the Patriots to try to win freedom for herself and her sister. Isabel soon finds she can only depend on herself for survival, and she must do so carefully, so as not to incur the wrath of the hateful Mistress Lockton.
My Thoughts
I loved this book not only because it is well written, but also because I learned quite a bit about the American Revolution, and in particular slavery in New York during that time period. I have read quite a few fiction and non-fiction books about slavery, but all of them have been set during the 19th century. I also enjoyed the interview with the author at the end of the book because I could see how much research she put into making this book and the obvious passion she has for the subject of slavery and for getting the details of its history correct.
Reviews
"Laurie Halse Anderson's Chains is searing and has so many brilliant sparks I became lost in it. Isabel's harrowing journey into a nightmare realm of slavery, betrayal, loss, and ultimately hope quite literally had me sobbing." - Three time Coretta Scott King Award winner and Michael L. Printz Award winner, Angela Johnson.
Awards / Honors
A Junior Library Guild Premier Selection
Suggested Activities
Chains would be an excellent resource to use in the classroom for a study of the American Revolution. With this book I might incorporate a study of the development of New York City from its slavery roots during its more rural beginnings to the ban on slavery as the area developed into a much larger urban area. There is so much potential to study the geography, landscape, industry, and immigration patterns for New York City as it developed into what it is today.
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