Customer Reviews

Chains (Chains Series)

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

CHAINS by Laurie Halse Anderson tells the story of Isabel, a slave trapped in New York City in the early days of the Revolution. Sold to Loyalists when her former owner dies, she's offered the chance to spy for the Patriots. But does their talk of liberty really include her? What about the British, who promise freedom to slaves who join their fight against the rebels?

This book is impeccably researched in a way that not only convinced me I was getting "the real deal" as far as the historical details are concerned but also transported me straight back into the 18th century. Some historical novels that have tackled this issue in the past have made it overly simple, but CHAINS is different. The historical context isn't simplified, the Patriot cause isn't glorified, and the characters are flawed, complex, and rich. As a reader and as a teacher, I am in serious book-love. As soon as I read the advance reader copy, I made plans to use this novel in my 7th grade classroom. CHAINS is a well-researched look at choices made by individuals during the Revolution, a coming-of-age story for a girl and a nation, and an absolute page-turner. It's everything that historical fiction ought to be.

The heroine in Laurie Halse Anderson's gripping new middle level children's book, "Chains" is a thirteen year old slave named Isabel, headstrong, fierce in her determination to keep her epileptic sister Ruth with her, intuitive, and strong. What might fell the mightiest of people only serves to strengthen Isabel, time and time again, proving that determination was much needed during this turbulent time in our nation's history. "Chains" is the children's book of the year. It's that good.

Anderson's blending of a slave story with the the Revolutionary War and the battle of New York creates a story ripe with possibilities and is fresh and new. At the beginning of the story, Isabel and Ruth attend the funeral of their former owner, thinking that a will would give them freedom. Alas, it was not to be. An unscrupulous relative sells off the girls to the first customers, a pair of England loyalists named Lockton, who transport the pair to their New York home to serve them.

Immediately off the boat, Isabel befriends a spritely lad Curzon, who begs to employ her in the cause of the American Revolution, playing brilliantly on the fact that white society deemed black slaves to be invisible. Only wanting her freedom, Isabel promises nothing but soon delivers, after learning of a plot to kill General Washington. When that doesn't give her freedom, she begins to mistrust the patriots' cause, and learns of the British claim to ensure freedom to any slaves that would join up against the revolution.

What makes this book novel is a slavery story set, not in the south, but New York City, which naturally leads to the discussion of how slavery was in our early history throughout the country and not just in one area. It also plays with the themes of which "side" in a war is the good side? Is there a good side or a bad side in a battle? We are taught that the British are the bad guys. Would you feel that way if you were a slave and could get freedom from them?

Many events transpire in this amazing book, but just look at the themes that crop up so far: racial invisibility, the British as possibly the "good guys" in the Revolution, the horrors of slavery against the strength of the people who suffered under it. Any of these themes would be a rich discussion to have with kids. Books like these tend to make the history we all learned in school much more real, more deeper, than just a series of dates and numbers to remember. We forget that history is made up of stories, of sides, and "Chains" allows some gentle exploration of those themes.

This is the first book I've read of Anderson. Her writing style is brief, fast paced, and complete. As a teacher, I appreciate the short chapters that pack a lot of story into a few pages. This would be an excellent read aloud book for any fourth grade classroom or higher, who are studying these issues in the class. I would love to use this book as a literature study, when it become available in paperback. And I'm now officially a fan of her work, and can't wait to delve into her other books.

Why the Newbery committee passed this stunning novel up is beyond me. I've read the current winner of the Newbery, The Graveyard Book, and while I found it to be interesting and intriguing, in my opinion, Chains soars above and beyond this book. If you are a teacher, buy this book now. It's really that good.

We all learned in school about Paul Revere, the Redcoats, and the writing of the Declaration of Independence. Laurie Halse Anderson's excellent "Chains" tells the story of a young girl, Isabel, and her little sister who lived as slaves during the same time. Isabel observes the twists and turns of the white men's governments while she seeks her own opportunity to regain the freedom that is rightfully hers -- not only were she and her sister legally freed upon the death of her original mistress, but Isabel knows in her heart, her soul, and her head, that there is nothing right about one person owning another. Isabel is a smart, likeable character. The wisdom which seems beyond her years is hard won as a result of her circumstances -- from learning to read as a "priveleged" slave to learning to keep her mouth shut in her new, cruel household. I highly recommend "Chains," and I look forward to the next title in what I hope will be a series of historical novels from the talented Laurie Halse Anderson.

For ages 10+ this is an intense account of slavery in pre-Independence times of the USA. Too often we think that slavery only got bad in the 19th century or that it was limited to southern plantations. That is not the truth. Nor is it the truth that every slave owner was evil or every slave an innocent suffering. Laurie Halse Anderson does an excellent job of showing the complexities of slavery in the life of one young slave (her age is never given), her mentally handicapped 5 year old sister, and those they must interact with to survive the challenge of war. If you are not familiar with the true nature of slavery you will find this book disturbing. The question and answer section at the end of the book answers a lot of questions you may have about this period in American history.

Laurie Halse Anderson tells the amazing story of a slave girl during the American Revolution.

Isabel is actually supposed to be free, since that's what her deceased owner willed, but a greedy nephew takes it upon himself to keep Isabel and her younger sister, Ruth, enslaved for his own profit. With no parents, and no one to care about their fate, the girls are shipped off to New York to live with new owners.

Aside from Isabel's plight, this book also follows the progress of the war from the standpoint of both loyalists and rebels. Readers have glimpses of the wealthy, the working class, the soldiers, and the slaves -- all while their eyes are riveted to the story of one lonely girl.

Anderson develops a realistic setting and offers up details that serve to enrich this tale and keep readers interested. From a trip to the stocks to a hanging, we see the gruesome, and from heroic acts to cowardice, we see people at their most extreme.

Anderson allows enough filtering and distance for comfortable reading, but expect no holds barred from this accurate author. The times were not pretty, despite the burgeoning of a new America. The writer neither exaggerates nor shields. She simply tells her tale, and it is most definitely one worth reading.

Reviewed by: Julie M. Prince

This is in the top ten books I've read this year for sure. I picked it up because my daughter brought it home from school, and could not put it down until I finished it less than 24 hours later. The story is about a young slave girl during the Revolutionary War. It is heart-wrenching and agonizing to follow her story as she tells it. I read the book imagining one of my young girls in her position, wondering if and how they would survive completely on their own.

I loved this book. It helped me understand a bit more about what life must have been like for those caught in such difficult circumstances at such a tragic time in our country's history.

What wonderful historical fiction! I know this book was intended for young people, but as my 12 year old read this for a history supplement this year, I quickly realized it is for all ages. I enjoyed it so much! My son, who is not a huge fan of reading, also liked it. The story reveals so much about what life was like, from a slave's point of view, in colonial America, without being overly graphic. The story line was interesting and educational. I recommend this book to people of all ages. I also highly recommend the audio with it. The narrator adds so much to the story and truly brings the characters to life.

I just finished this excellent book by L. Halse Anderson. It was difficult to read and yet I could not put it down! I homeschool and began reading it to see if it was a good book to introduced my ten year old daughter to the cruelties of slavery. It is. The main character, Isabel's story is one of triumph and courage in the face of betrayal, cruelty and dehumanizing life events. I highly recommend this book!

I have never been so captivated by an historical fiction book since The Witch of Blackbird Pond. The author has done a superb job at intertwining history with a story of a slave girl that is sure to enter the reader's heart.

My book club picked this one for the February meeting and I am amazed at how well-written this novel is. I know that it is written for the YA audience, but I beg readers who might read it but is turned off by the Young Adult label ... please read it. It is so well-written, that tweens and up can read this book. Anderson takes you along for the journey and what a journey it is.

If you're like me and like history ... and have wondered what people were thinking then, this book will help satisfy that curiousity. This book is written in the first-person point of view, a young girl by the name of Isabel. Her father was sold a few years back while she, her younger sister and mother were sold to a woman, who treated them decently. Upon that woman's death, she had instructed Isabel and Ruth to be freed. Her nephew prevented that from happening and the two sisters were sold to a merchant and his wife. They were then moved from Rhodes Island to New York and the next chapter in Isabel's life began.

From dawn to dusk, Isabel did everything she was told. This book gave rich details on how slaves lived during that time, in spite of their age. Soon, the two sisters were separated because the mistress didn't want Ruth in the house because of her elipetic seizures. While this was going on, the Revolution was going on around them. Enlisted to be a spy for the Rebels, Isabel fought to survive that harsh year. During that fight, she came to the realization that she may be chained up in slavery, no one could own her soul.

This is one of the best written books on historical fiction that I've read in quite some time. The writing was concise and flowed smoothly. The quotes at the beginning of each chapter were meaningful and inspiring. Anderson interwove certain aspects of history into Isabel's life as if one would live during that time. It is just a good book! I am looking forward to reading the second book in this series (I assume it's a series) and cannot wait to read more about history. Anderson has made history come alive with her pen.

2/18/09