He is a patriot and wants her to give them information on the loyalist couple and their whereabouts. Her first day in New York Isabel is approached by Curzon, a free African American boy. Isabels new mistress is an awful woman and her master is a strong supporter of the king. The two girls make the journey to New York which is currently held by the rebels. Her mother had died several years earlier and her five year old sister Ruth is all she has left. After the burial of the old woman, Marys nephew immediately sells her and her sister to a loyalist couple from New York, the Locktons. Before her mistress, Mary Finch, died Isabel had never worked too hard and was never hungry. Isabel is a 13 year old slave from Rhode Island. The year is 1776, the people are split and the colonies are in the midst of war. And for those of you who come to like Isabel and Curzon, a sequel called Forge is in the works. Laurie Halse Anderson is one of the premier writers of Young Adult literature and Chains is another example of her extraordinary work. There is so much going on in this highly enjoyable volume.Ĭhains can be read as the story of a slave girl or the story of life in the midst of the American Revolution. It describes Washingtons ragged army and the treatment of prisoners of war. It describes the goings on in New York, Loyalists, in the midst of fighting rebels, have a birthday gala for their Queen across the ocean. It tells the story of Isabel, confused about who to trust, her overriding thoughts concern her freedom and caring for Ruth. It is the story of the Locktons, allied with the King in England, in the midst of Colonial rebels. Isabel, while educated enough to read, is not educated enough to know the causes of the Revolution, the impact of either side winning and therefore who to set her alliance with.Ĭhains tells multiple tales at one time. Curzon tries to enlist Isabels aid, as Lockton is a Loyalist, and Isabel may overhear information that may benefit the Colonial Army. One day, Isabel meets Curzon, a slave who works for Major Bellingham of the Colonical Army. There were pro and anti slavery contingents. There were Rebels and Loyalists living side by side. Told in the first person by Isabel, readers gain a deep understanding of the confusion and chaos during that particular time in the colonies.

They are sold to the Locktons of New York and moved from their home in Newport, Rhode Island.Ĭhains takes place in New York at the dawn of the American Revolution.

Their master, Madam Finch, has died and her nephew, Robert, the only heir to the estate, decides to sell Isabel and Ruth, regardless of the fact that Madam Finch has promised them their freedom upon her death. Isabel is eleven and her younger sister, Ruth, is five. Im not a big fan of historical fiction, but Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson may make me change my mind.

Laurie halse anderson chains series