Chains (Seeds of America #1)

by Laurie Halse Anderson (Author)

Chains (Seeds of America #1)
Reading Level: 6th − 7th Grade
At the start of the Revolutionary War, Isabel is sold to a cruel loyalist family, even though she has been promised freedom by her former owner. Soon faced with the choice of working for or against the British, Isabel chooses to work with anyone who can help her.
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Publishers Weekly

Starred Review
Pursuing similar themes as M.T. Anderson's "Octavian Nothing", this gripping novel offers readers a startlingly provocative view of the Revolutionary War. Isabel Finch, the narrator, and her five-year-old sister, Ruth, are to be freed from slavery upon the death of their mistress in Rhode Island, but the mistress's unscrupulous heir easily persuades the local pastor to dispense with reading the will. Before long Isabel and Ruth are in New York City, the property of a Loyalist couple, whose abusiveness inspires Isabel to a dangerous course: she steals into the Patriot army camp to trade a crucial Loyalist secret in exchange for passage to Rhode Island for herself and Ruth. But not only does the Patriot colonel fail to honor his promise, he personally hands her over to her Loyalist mistress when she runs away, to face disastrous consequences. Anderson ("Speak"; "Fever 1793") packs so much detail into her evocation of wartime New York City that readers will see the turmoil and confusion of the times, and her solidly researched exploration of British and Patriot treatment of slaves during a war for freedom is nuanced and evenhanded, presented in service of a fast-moving, emotionally involving plot. Ages 10up. "(Oct.)" Copyright 2008 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Gr 610Set in New York City at the beginning of the American Revolution, "Chains" addresses the price of freedom both for a nation and for individuals. Isabel tells the story of her life as a slave. She was sold with her five-year-old sister to a cruel Loyalist family even though the girls were to be free upon the death of their former owner. She has hopes of finding a way to freedom and becomes a spy for the rebels, but soon realizes that it is difficult to trust anyone. She chooses to find someone to help her no matter which side he or she is on. With short chapters, each beginning with a historical quote, this fast-paced novel reveals the heartache and struggles of a country and slave fighting for freedom. The characters are well developed, and the situations are realistic. An author's note gives insight into issues surrounding the Revolutionary War and the fight for the nation's freedom even though 20 percent of its people were in chains. Well researched and affecting in its presentation, the story offers readers a fresh look at the conflict and struggle of a developing nation."Denise Moore, O'Gorman Junior High School, Sioux Falls, SD" Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Laurie Halse Anderson
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.

Matt Faulkner is an acclaimed illustrator who has written and illustrated more than thirty books, including Gaijin: American Prisoner of War, which won the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association Literature Award. He is married to author and children's librarian Kris Remenar. Visit him at MattFaulkner.com.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781416905851
Lexile Measure
780
Guided Reading Level
Z
Publisher
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication date
October 21, 2008
Series
Seeds of America Trilogy
BISAC categories
JUV011010 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | United States - African-American
JUV016120 - Juvenile Fiction | Historical | United States - Colonial & Revolutionary Periods
Library of Congress categories
History
African Americans
New York (N.Y.)
United States
Slaves
Revolution, 1775-1783
Spies
National Book Awards
Finalist 2008 - 2008
Parents Choice Awards (Fall) (2008-Up)
Gold Medal Winner 2008 - 2008
Scott O Dell Award for Historical Fiction
Winner 2009 - 2009
Grand Canyon Reader Award
Nominee 2011 - 2011
Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens
Recommended 2009 - 2009
Charlotte Award
Nominee 2010 - 2010
Volunteer State Book Awards
Nominee 2010 - 2011
Tayshas Reading
Commended 2010 - 2010
Nutmeg Book Award
Nominee 2011 - 2011
Carnegie Medal
Nominee 2010 - 2010
Massachusetts Children's Book Award
Nominee 2010 - 2011
Rhode Island Teen Book Award
Nominee 2011 - 2011
Beehive Awards
Nominee 2011 - 2011
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award
Nominee 2010 - 2010
South Carolina Childrens, Junior and Young Adult Book Award
Nominee 2010 - 2011
Young Reader's Choice Award
Nominee 2011 - 2011
West Virginia Children's Book Award
Fourth Place 2011 - 2011
Cybils
Winner 2009 - 2009
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award
Nominee 2011 - 2011
Georgia Children's Book Award
Nominee 2012 - 2012
Golden Sower Award
Nominee 2011 - 2011
Iowa Teen Award
Nominee 2013 - 2013

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