Chains

Isabel, a teenage slave in 1776 New York City, fights to protect her younger sister Ruth after they are sold to a wealthy Loyalist couple during the American Revolution. The two girls were promised freedom in their previous owner's will, but instead find themselves trapped in an increasingly dangerous situation as tensions rise between Patriots and Loyalists. As the Revolutionary War escalates around them, Isabel becomes entangled in the conflict when another slave convinces her to spy on her new owners. She must navigate complex political loyalties and make difficult choices while searching for a path to freedom for herself and her sister. The story unfolds against the backdrop of actual historical events, including the British occupation of New York City and real-world plots against George Washington. Anderson incorporates authentic details about daily life, military movements, and the stark realities of slavery in colonial America. The novel explores universal themes of freedom, loyalty, and justice while highlighting the painful ironies of a revolution that proclaimed liberty while maintaining slavery. Through Isabel's story, the book examines what it truly means to be free and the price people will pay to achieve it.

Readers describe Chains as an eye-opening look at slavery during the American Revolution, noting how it shows perspectives often left out of history books. The story prompts reflection on freedom, loyalty, and civil rights. Readers appreciated: - Historical accuracy and attention to detail - Complex characters, especially Isabel's growth - Integration of real historical documents at chapter starts - Clear, accessible writing for young readers - Educational value for classroom discussions Common criticisms: - Pacing drags in middle sections - Some found the ending unsatisfying - Violence and cruelty may be too intense for younger readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (47,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 One teacher noted: "My students connected deeply with Isabel and learned more about the Revolution than from any textbook." Several parents mentioned needing to discuss the book's themes with children due to its serious subject matter.

Jefferson's Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley The story follows the children of Thomas Jefferson and his slave Sally Hemings as they navigate life, freedom, and identity on the Monticello plantation.

Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson This companion novel to Chains follows Curzon, a young escaped slave who joins the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.

May B. by Caroline Starr Rose A young girl works as a hired help on the Kansas frontier while struggling with dyslexia and abandonment during the pioneer era.

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation by M.T. Anderson A young slave in pre-Revolutionary Boston discovers he is part of a scientific experiment while the colonies move toward rebellion.

The Book of the Dead by Michael Northrop An enslaved house servant in colonial Rhode Island becomes entangled in a murder mystery while seeking her own path to freedom.

🔸 The book took Anderson 3 years to research, including extensive study of 18th-century documents, slave narratives, and Revolutionary War records 🔸 The character of Isabel was partly inspired by a real advertisement from 1776 about a runaway slave girl in New York City 🔸 "Chains" is the first book in the "Seeds of America" trilogy, followed by "Forge" and "Ashes," each exploring different aspects of slavery during the Revolution 🔸 During the American Revolution, both the British and American sides promised freedom to enslaved people who would fight for their cause, though these promises were often broken 🔸 In 1776 New York City, where the story is set, approximately 20% of the population was enslaved, with many wealthy families - both Patriots and Loyalists - owning slaves